We take a “Prime Time” look at the best football cards to buy now with the 2023 NFL season underway. We see an NFL Hall of Fame inductee has become rather hot and trampling the sports card hobby. And another NFL Hall of Fame quarterback is enjoying a hobby renaissance too! Read on to learn more.
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Deion Sanders Best Football Cards
Who is Deion Sanders AKA “Prime-Time”
Deion Sanders, aka Prime-Time, is a former American football and baseball player who is currently the head football coach at the University of Colorado Boulder. He was born on August 9, 1967 in Fort Myers, Florida, USA. Prime-Time showed immense athletic talent from a young age. Prime played a number of sports including football, basketball, and baseball while attending North Fort Myers High School. Sanders played college football at Florida State University, winning the Jim Thorpe Award as a senior. Deion Sanders was selected by the Atlanta Falcons fifth overall in the 1989 NFL Draft. He played football primarily at cornerback, while also making appearances as kickoff returner, punt returner, and wide receiver. During his football career, he was named to eight Pro Bowls, received six first-team All-Pros. Sanders made consecutive Super Bowl appearances in SB XXIX with the 49ers and SB XXX with the Cowboys, winning both.
Deion Sanders was also a baseball outfielder for nine seasons in Major League Baseball (MLB). Deion played with the New York Yankees, Atlanta Braves, Cincinnati Reds, and San Francisco Giants.
Sanders won two Super Bowl titles. He also made a World Series appearance in 1992, making “Prime” the only athlete to play in both a Super Bowl and a World Series. Hence, Prime-Time!
What are the Most Valuable Deion Sanders Sports Cards
One of Prime’s most most valuable football rookie cards is his Deion Sanders(eBay) 1989 Score #246.
Recent PSA 10 Sale: $899.99 (9/10/2023)
30 Day Change: +$254.99 (+28.33%)
A popular Sanders football rookie card is the 1989 Topps Traded Deion Sanders Rookie Card #30T. This is widely available and has a classic Topps(eBay) design.
Recent PSA 10 Sale: $105.00 (9/11/2023)
30 Day Change: +$44.99 (+38.45%)
The 1989 Pro Set #486 Deion Sanders rookie card is a good option for collectors who desire higher quality card stock. It features a portrait image of Sanders wearing a baseball cap and a football helmet image. Collectors flock to the sports card’s eye appeal.
Recent PSA 10 Sale: $110.00 (9/10/2023)
30 Day Change: +$51.00 (+46.36%)
Dan Marino Best Football Cards
Who is Dan Marino
Daniel Constantine Marino Jr. (born September 15, 1961) is an American former football quarterback. Marino played all 17 National Football League (NFL) seasons with one team, the Miami Dolphins. Dan’s success at Pittsburgh and being named First-team All-American in 1981 got him drafted by Miami. Marino was the last quarterback taken in the first round of the famed quarterback class of 1983. Marino held or currently holds dozens of NFL records associated with the quarterback position. And despite never being on a Super Bowl-winning team, he is recognized among the greatest NFL quarterbacks in football history.
Best remembered for his quick release and powerful arm, Marino helped the Dolphins become consistent postseason contenders, leading them to the playoffs ten times and one Super Bowl appearance in XIX, although a title victory ultimately eluded him during his career.
Marino is considered by many to be one of the greatest players to never win a Super Bowl and has the most career victories of quarterbacks not to win a title at 155. A nine-time Pro Bowl selection, six-time first (3) or second (3) team All-Pro, and All-AFC six times, Marino was voted NFL Rookie of the Year by Sporting News. The following season in 1984, Marino was the NFL Most Valuable Player (MVP), when he set single-season records of 5,084 passing yards, 48 touchdown passes, nine 300-yard passing games, and four 400-yard passing games.
What are the Best Dan Marino Football Cards
Here some of the most popular Dan Marino (eBay) football/rookie cards to buy now include:
- 1984 Dan Marino Topps Football Rookie Card #123: A top Dan Marino(eBay) rookie card worth owning and features “Dan The Man” taking the field preparing to onslaught his opponent with an aerial brocade.
Recent PSA 10 Sale: $4,500.00 (8/27/2023) | 30 Day Change: +$400.00 (+8.89%) - 1985 Topps Dan Marino #314: This card features a portrait of Marino in his Dolphins uniform.
Last Sold For: $2,070.00 (2/19/2023)
30 Day Change: $0.00 (0.00%) - 1986 Topps Dan Marino #45: This card features a portrait of Marino in his Dolphins uniform.
Last Sold For: $1,050.00 (5/21/2023)
30 Day Change: $0.00 (0.00%) - 1998 Upper Deck Encore US Authentics Dan Marino #DM-2: This card features a portrait of Marino in his Dolphins uniform.
- 1998 Peyton Manning & Dan Marino Topps Stadium Club Co-Signers Dual Auto #CO9: This card features both Peyton Manning and Dan Marino’s autographs.
What is the Jim Thorpe Award?
The Jim Thorpe (a multi-sport athlete.) Award annually recognizes the top defensive back in college football. The award began in 1986. The Oklahoma Sports Hall of Fame votes on the award. The award recognizes performance on the field, athletic ability, and character. The winners of the award are selected by a nationwide panel of 50 members. The members include the Associated Press who regularly cover college football.
Both Deion Sanders and Dan Marino are football card collecting hobby stalwarts. It’s nice to see the 2023 surge in value and popularity in the card card collecting community for these Hall of Fame NFL icons.
You can always browse our sports card price guides to help identify the best sports card deal for these players and more.
Happy Collecting!
