BUY CARDS
The Las Vegas Raiders have one of the most storied franchises in NFL history. Originally based in Oakland, the team has been home to some of the greatest players of all time like Ken Stabler, Howie Long, Tim Brown, Charles Woodson and more. This has led to Raiders football cards being highly sought after by collectors over the years. Let's take a look at the 5 most valuable Raiders cards of all time.
Without a doubt, the holy grail of Raiders cardboard is Ken "The Snake" Stabler's 1968 Topps rookie. As the Super Bowl winning quarterback during the mid '70s, Stabler was larger than life. His iconic beard and exciting style of play made him a fan favorite. Stabler's rookie can easily fetch over $1,500 for cards in pristine condition. Here's a rundown on the key details:
Stabler's rookie is the foundation for any Raiders card collection. His passing prowess led the franchise to their first Super Bowl win against the Minnesota Vikings in Super Bowl XI. "The Snake" ultimately landed in the Hall of Fame in 2016 after being a finalist many times.
The legendary Bo Jackson makes the list for his short but meteoric NFL career. Jackson's 1989 Score football rookie card skyrocketed after his performance on Monday Night Football against the Seattle Seahawks, where he ran over linebacker Brian Bosworth on his way to a touchdown. Here's the key info on Jackson's iconic rookie:
After being drafted first overall by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 1986, Jackson opted to play baseball instead. He returned to football in 1987 with the Raiders while still playing for the Kansas City Royals. This two-sport superstardom led to immense collecting hype for Jackson's cards. His 1990 Fleer update issue featuring him in a silver Raiders uniform is also highly sought after.
Tim Brown is unquestionably one of the best wide receivers in Raiders history after 14 seasons with the franchise. The 1987 Heisman Trophy winner out of Notre Dame was Oakland's first round pick in 1988. His Score rookie issue featuring him in front of a blue backdrop is a must-own:
Brown was the epitome of consistency for the Raiders, going over 1,000 receiving yards in 9 straight seasons. He ended his career with over 14,000 yards and 100 touchdowns, making the Hall of Fame in 2015. During the apex of the card collecting boom in the early 90s, Brown's rookies traded hands for over $1,000 in grade 10 condition.
Charles Woodson is right up there with Tim Brown among the best defensive backs ever for the Raiders. After being drafted 4th overall out of Michigan in 1998, Woodson won AP Defensive Rookie of the Year honors. His flagship Topps Chrome rookie issue pictured him in his Michigan uniform:
Woodson's rookie year laid the foundation for a potential Hall of Fame career. In addition to being an 8x Pro Bowler and 4x First-team All-Pro, Woodson was the 2009 AP Defensive Player of the Year. He helped lead the Packers over the Steelers in Super Bowl XLV. The 2021 season will be Woodson's first year of Hall eligibility.
A key part of the Raiders championship team in Super Bowl XVIII, Marcus Allen etched his name in NFL lore with his iconic 74 yard touchdown run against Washington. As a Heisman winner out of USC, Allen joined the Raiders as the 10th overall pick in 1982. Here are the specifics on his Topps rookie card:
Allen quickly became a fan favorite as he racked up rushing titles and helped the Raiders win their third Super Bowl his rookie year. He was named Super Bowl MVP with 191 yards rushing in the big game. Allen's relationship with owner Al Davis soured in later years but he remained productive on the field. With legalized sports betting spreading across the country, the collectibility of Hall of Famers like Allen continues to rise.
That does it for the top 5 most valuable Raiders football cards of all-time. From Super Bowl winning quarterbacks to legendary running backs and receivers, the Raiders have been a factory for iconic players since their AFL days. Whether you're a Raiders fan or just a cardboard collector, owning one of these legendary cards is a slice of NFL history. With the team now set up in Las Vegas, here's betting their legends on cardboard only continue to accumulate value.
