Hey all, I have always wondered why Topps did not have Otto Graham in their 1956 Football set, when Graham's final year in the NFL was the 1955 Season? Thanks.
Otto Graham
- Thread starter james
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If he retired in 1955, why would he be in 1956?
He retired AFTER the 1955 season, so his last year card should be in the 1956 set, but why it wasn't I would like to know?
I don't think Topps had the NFL contract at that time. Graham was in the 1955 Topps All-American set, but it sounds like an exception was made for him and a few others based on is article:
http://blog.deanscards.com/2010/09/1955-topps-football-all-american.html
http://blog.deanscards.com/2010/09/1955-topps-football-all-american.html
Great article. Thanks for sharing. If Topps didn't have the NFL contract, why then were all the other players in their 1956 FB set except for Otto Graham I wonder?
One theory...
Someone may have decided he wasn't needed because he had retired. Often the final card of players is not made, even if they played part of the previous season. I'm guessing Topps wanted active players that kids would be more apt to want to chase after, not retired guys.
Someone may have decided he wasn't needed because he had retired. Often the final card of players is not made, even if they played part of the previous season. I'm guessing Topps wanted active players that kids would be more apt to want to chase after, not retired guys.
He is trying to say that if he retired after the season then he should have a 56 card to show his stats for the 55 season............
I could be wrong, but I think that Topps had individual player contracts back in those days. Not like today where they sign a contract with the entire player's association or whatever. I'm sure a more knowledgeable member could confirm or blow this theory out of the water! If that is the case, maybe they just decided not to include him for whatever reason. It happened several times in baseball.
