The 1960’s in the hobby was a time when collecting was still in its infancy, and kids would go to the local store and pick up a pack of cards just for the bubble gum. Due to this, many cards from this decade did not survive, or are not in great condition. Nonetheless, some of the most iconic cards of key players were released in Topps Football sets during this decade, and should be looked back upon as a key time of hobby history.

This three-part series will take a look at the most iconic cards from the Topps Football sets of the decade, starting with the years 1960 to 1963.

1960 Topps Football Jim Brown Card

First up on the list is the 1960 set. The 1960 set did not have many big-name rookies, but it did have some star power. It should be noted that these sets were released prior to the AFL/NFL merger – the Super Bowl did not exist yet. Perhaps the top card of the 1960 set is of Jim Brown, who set countless records during his playing days. At the time of his retirement, Brown rushed for 12,312 yards across nine seasons.

His 1960 Topps Football card sells in an SGC 4 for around $118. Higher grade copies will get expensive, as no PSA 10s exist.

1962 Topps Football Mike Ditka Rookie Card

The 1962 Topps Football set is notoriously condition-sensitive due to its black borders, similar to the 1971 Topps Baseball set. Interestingly enough, there are two major rookie cards in the set that make this list. The first is of Mike Ditka, who may be better known as a coach, but had a very respectable playing career with the Cowboys and Bears. Ditka made five Pro Bowls and won a Super Bowl in his 11 seasons, while also catching 43 Touchdowns.

A PSA 4.5 Mike Ditka card sold recently for $338. Looking at the PSA pop report, there are only 4 9s, and no 10s. Therefore, high-grade copies will get expensive.

1962 Topps Football Fran Tarkenton Rookie Card

Fran Tarkenton’s rookie card also comes out of the 1962 set, and he is a name that might be forgotten by modern hobbyists. Tarkenton was the quarterback for the Minnesota Vikings for part of the 1960’s and 1970’s, appearing in three Super Bowls but losing each one. He would win an NFL MVP in 1975 and would go on to make the Hall of Fame.

A PSA 5 sold recently for $679. Like Ditka’s rookie, the pop report is very telling – only six PSA 9s exist, and no PSA 10s.

1963 Topps Football Ray Nitschke Rookie Card

The 1963 set is a bit of a return to normalcy for collectors, as there are no black borders that are condition-sensitive. However, the borders are colored, making some cards in the set tough to get in top condition. An example of this is the rookie card of Ray Nitschke, who was a great linebacker for the Green Bay Packers. While he may not be a household name to many, his card still sells in ungraded condition for between $30 and $70, depending on condition.

The 1960’s brought some tough vintage sets to assemble in the football hobby. Some iconic rookie cards are located in the Topps Football sets from the first part of the decade, and the remainder of it will only continue that trend. The four cards included here would be great additions to one’s collection, especially in great shape.

Add us as a preferred source on Google

Follow

PAINSVILLE, Ohio — This week, Cleveland Clinic and the U.S. Department of Justice reached an agreement that will halt gender-affirming care for minors at the hospital for the next two decades.

As a child, Eli Frohnapfel loved things like Pokémon and video games. But when he hit puberty, something changed.

“Having things on my body that didn’t align with my identity was — really took a toll on my mental state,” said Frohnapfel.

At 13, he told his grandmother and later his parents that he wanted to transition. His parents, Hilary and Todd Frohnapfel, said they initially had questions but worked to better understand what their child was experiencing.

“Once he told us some of the things he was going through it made a lot more sense, and I love him no matter what. So, I wanted to do whatever I could to support him,” said Hilary Frohnapfel.

Over the next several years, Eli Frohnapfel socially transitioned and eventually underwent a double mastectomy at age 17. He described the experience as life-changing.

“I had a lot of people there to support me — my friends, my parents, and it was just, it was a really beautiful moment,” said Frohnapfel.

When asked what his life might look like today if he had not been able to access gender-affirming care as a teenager, Frohnapfel said he is not sure he would be alive.

“I’m going to be honest, I don’t think I would be here right now, either as the person I am or just in general. Being transgender can be a beautiful experience, but it can also be a really hard process if you’re not allowed to be the person that you are inside,” said Frohnapfel.

Now, future patients at Cleveland Clinic will not have access to those treatments under the new agreement with the Department of Justice.

The settlement requires the hospital system to stop providing puberty blockers, cross-sex hormones and other gender-transition treatments to minors for 20 years. It also includes a $308,000 payment to settle insurance billing allegations and sets aside $2 million for detransition care services.

In a statement, Cleveland Clinic wrote:

“We are pleased to have worked collaboratively toward a resolution related to an unintentional coding issue involving a small number of patients. We remain focused on providing exceptional care to our patients and communities. We have complied and will continue to comply with all federal and state laws.”

The settlement is a public document that can be requested through the DOJ.

For Frohnapfel, the agreement represents a significant setback.

“Yeah, two decades is a long time, and I think gender affirming care is lifesaving care, like that’s what it is,” said Frohnapfel.

Others view the settlement differently. State Rep. Gary Click supports it.

“I think that they need to just remember our children are not their science experiments,” said Click.

He believes the restrictions should be permanent.

“It puzzles me that there’s a 20-year agreement to not break the law. It’s like, you know, why don’t you just say we’re never going to break the law again,” said Click.

Click has been a leading opponent of gender-affirming care, sponsoring the SAFE Act, which bans physicians from providing that care to minors.

“Let’s give kids a chance to grow up intact, and if, as an adult, you still feel like that’s right for you, then that’s your choice, and you’re able to process the pros and the cons much more effectively,” said Click.

And while the representative is pleased to see detransition services receiving funding, Frohnapfel and his parents worry about what this means for other families.

“It’s heartbreaking to have to watch kids struggle and know who they are, and not be able to be who they are and not be able to get that care,” said Hilary Frohnapfel.

“I think there’s going to be so many lives that are lost, and I just really hope that they can fix it or remake the deal, so that people can get access to the care that they need,” said Eli Frohnapfel.

Nadeen Abusada is a Cuyahoga County and immigration reporter at News 5 Cleveland. Follow her on Instagram NadeenAbusada or email her at Nadeen.Abusada@wews.com.

CLEVELAND, Ohio (WOIO) – Cleveland Police arrested a 22-year-old man in connection with the death of a 20-year-old woman, which investigators initially thought was a suicide.

According to the Cleveland Police, on Wednesday at around 7:53 a.m., officers responded to a report of a gunshot victim and a suspected suicide attempt in the 15700 block of Puritas Avenue.

When officers arrived, they found a 20-year-old woman with what first appeared to be a self-inflicted gunshot wound to the head.

Cleveland EMS responded and took her to a local hospital.

According to the release during the investigation, officers determined that the information provided at the scene was inconsistent with the injuries sustained by the victim.

Officers then interviewed a 22-year-old man who was on the scene, and he was arrested.

On Thursday, the 20-year-old woman, identified as Brielle Nash, died due to her injuries, according to the Cuyahoga County Medical Examiner’s Office.

Police said the case has since been reclassified as a homicide investigation.

This is a developing story. Return to 19 News for updates.