O.J. Simpson, former running back for the Buffalo Bills and San Francisco 49ers, passed away yesterday. Simpson was the first NFL player to rush for 2000 yards in a season, and he led the league in rushing a total of four times. He was named a First-Team All-Pro five straight years, 1972 to 1976. Simpson was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1985.
Today’s card of the day is Simpson’s 1970 Topps Super Glossy card. 1970 Topps Super Glossies were inserts in wax packs of 1970 Topps second-series football cards. Their bright colors, shiny finish, and player selection make them one of my favorite sets. Though they were printed in great quantities, the cards can be hard to find in top grades: many of the cards are off-center or tilted, many have chips along the back edges from the cutting process, and some have roller marks across the front. The cards’ high-gloss finish is also easily scratched or dulled. There are 33 cards in the set, which you can see in the Gallery.
The 1970 Super Glossies were issued in Simpson’s second season. Not surprisingly, he also appeared on many cards and stamps after that. You can also see all of Simpson’s cards in the Gallery, as well.