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The Most Iconic Topps Football Cards of the 1960’s (Part 1)
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.
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CLEVELAND (WJW) — (WJW) — The National Weather Service has extended its EXTREME HEAT WARNING for all of Northeast Ohio.
It will remain in effect until 8 p.m. on Friday, July 3, in Ashland, Ashtabula, Crawford, Cuyahoga, Erie, Geauga, Holmes, Huron, Lake, Lorain, Mahoning Medina, Ottawa, Portage, Richland, Sandusky, Stark, Summit, Trumbull and Wayne counties; and until 10 p.m. Friday, July 3, in Carroll, Coshocton and Tuscarawas counties.
The heat waves continues! An EXTREME HEAT WARNING will remain in effect through 8 p.m. Friday. Heat indices could top 105 degrees during the hottest time of day on Friday.
Once again, there will not be much relief from the heat and humidity overnight. Tonight lows will be in the mid to upper 70s again. Feeling warmer with the higher humidity. Mostly clear skies.
Friday will be the last sweltering summer day before the heat starts to back off for the Fourth of July holiday weekend. There is the chance of rain and storms Friday evening, around 7pm that could go through the late evening. This may impact some 4th of July celebrations on Friday. Any storm that pops up we’ll have to watch for the potential of gusty winds, heavy downpours and large hail.
This is what the radar could look like by the time some Fireworks celebrations are expected Friday evening. We have a level 2 out of 5 chance of any storm turning severe, meaning that 1 or 2 have the chance.
The upper-level ridge, or heat dome, will start to breakdown on Friday. This means two things. The first is it will go from being very hot and humid to being very warm and humid. The second thing is the chance of rain and threat of storms will return.
The Fourth of July holiday weekend will be far from a washout! There will be more dry time than time with downpours and storms. However, clusters of downpours and storms will move through Northeast Ohio at times. This means some Fourth of July events, backyard BBQs, pool parties, and firework shows could be impacted by rain and storms.
With all the heat and humidity around, any downpours or storms that develop could be strong and produce gusty winds, small hail, torrential rain, and lightning. Here’s the latest 8 Day Forecast:
Keep up with FOX 8 News for the latest weather updates.
Abdullah Mason and Albert Bell previewed their championship bout and came face to face at the press conference. The two fighters square off this Saturday, July 4, at Cleveland State University’s Wolstein Center.
- Cleveland-based 22-year-old southpaw Mason (20-0, 17 KOs) of Bedford, Ohio, defends his WBO lightweight title after claiming the vacant belt last November by decision against Sam Noakes.
- Toledo’s 33-year-old Bell (28-0, 9 KOs), who makes his first bid to become a champion, took the fight on short notice, replacing Joe Cordina of Wales.
See below what Mason and Bell had to say at the press conference on Thursday, following the open workout.
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Mason: I’m prepared to come out on top
“I’m excited. I’m super excited,” Mason said. “This is something me and my brothers have been looking forward to doing since we were amateurs. We fought on the same card a few times as amateurs, and all of us did it together on the last show my father threw here in Cleveland. It was huge.”
“At that time, we were like, ‘Yo, when we do this on a professional level, it’s going to be big for Cleveland.’ And now, it’s big for not only Cleveland, but it’s on TNT, so this is a national stage, a world stage with DAZN. I’m just excited to be able to put this show on with two of my brothers on the card.”
“I feel like it [fight vs Sam Noakes] was definitely a much-needed experience. That’s not the type of fight you have all the time in your career. It was something I felt like I had to do that night. Every fight is different, and it definitely gave me some insight into how I’ll approach the rest of my career. So, it was a much-needed experience and a great fight.”
“It [opponent change] was definitely unexpected. Albert Bell – that’s our guy from Toledo. But it’s boxing. You’ve got to be prepared for anything, and I’m prepared to come out on top. Everything happens for a reason.”
“One thing I do want to say is, I’m the youngest world champion in boxing for a reason, and I’m prepared to show that when I step into the ring.”
“Boxing is offense, defense and IQ, and you’ve got to put it together and tailor it to the person you’re stepping in the ring with. So, with the opponent switch, I just have to tailor it to the person across the ring from me, and that’s Albert Bell.”
Bell: We’re here now, and that’s all that matters
“I mean, it caught me by surprise,” Bell said on stepping in to face Mason on short notice. “It was an ideal opponent for me. I wasn’t really thinking about fighting Abdullah, especially not this soon. But everything made sense. I talked to my pops about it, and it made sense, so I stepped in to save the card, get my world title opportunity and put on a show for all of Ohio.”
“I mean, I get turned down by a lot of guys. I’m not saying that in a cocky way or trying to act like I’m the boogeyman or anything like that, but a lot of guys say no when my name comes across their table. I would’ve had the name I was supposed to have by now if it weren’t for that, but what’s delayed is not denied. We’re here now, and that’s all that matters.”
“I just need to be the best version of myself. I know he’s coming to be the best version of himself. He’s prepared, I’m prepared. We’re ready. We’re two top fighters, and we’re professionals. We’re both Ohioans. We’ve got history with each other, and it’s gonna be a show for sure.”
Mason vs Bell undercard
In the co-feature, Bruce Carrington (17-0, 10 KOs) of Brooklyn makes the first defense of his WBC featherweight title against Rene Palacios (19-0-1, 10 KOs) of Mexico.
On the undercard, Cleveland’s Delante “Tiger” Johnson (17-0, 8 KOs) takes on Canada-based Mexican Christopher Guerrero (16-0, 9 KOs) at welterweight.
Plus, Deric Davis (11-0, 10 KOs) of Fort Washington, Maryland, and Carlos Ramos (18-4-1, 10 KOs) of Spain by way of Ecuador, square off at lightweight.
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Nichole Milanovich, age 30, passed away on July 1, 2026.
Family and friends are welcome on Sunday, July 5, 2026, from 3 to 10 p.m., at Slone & Co. Life Celebration Center 3556 W. 130th St. Cleveland, OH 44111, where a Service will be held on Monday, July 6, 2026, at 11 a.m. Interment Brooklyn Heights Cemetery.
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