Cards From the Best QBs of the Decade
The 1970s marked a sea change in the league’s passing offenses. Building upon the prior decade’s introduction of more intricate formations and playbooks, quarterbacks were no longer committees; they became full-time leaders of men and their offenses. Heroes under center, the best of the best, could guide their teams to league championships, and entire offensive schemes would run through them.
As all eyes and the bright lights focused on the quarterbacks, Topps was along for the ride, immortalizing them in some of the most iconic card sets in the company’s history.
Since many of these Hall of Fame quarterbacks changed the game as we know it. Of course, Topps revisited them in Composite Football 2023. Below, you’ll find the best QBs of the ’70s and some of their iconic Topps cards you need to add to your collection.
The Top QBs of the 1970s
2023 Topps Composite Football Amped Up Black Gold Bob Griese Auto Patch
Player info
• two-time ap league mvp and rookie of the year
• First qb to win a college and pro championship
Set info
• 450 card set
• inserts have ten parallels including Chrome and Black
card back
• Name, position, and a certificate of authenticity of the player-worn gear and the auto as witnessed by a topps employee
2023 Topps Football Composite Heritage Football Flashbacks #FF-23Terry Bradshaw
Player info
• career lasted 18 seasons from 1961-1978, and played in nine pro bowls
• at the time of his retirement in 1978, he led lifetime passers in attempts (6,467), completions (3,686), passing yards (47,003), and TD passes (342).
set info
• over ten insert sets from the best topps brands, including Topps Heritage, Topps Gallery, Allen & Ginter, Topps Archives, Topps Chrome, and more
• inserts have ten parallels including Chrome and Black
card back
• Name, position, and a summary of his undefeated efforts in league championships which included 300-plus yards in two of his four appearances in the big game
1977 Topps Football #110 Ken Stabler
Player info
• led the league in yds passed five times
• fourth passer in history to have a 99-yard pass play
Set info
• 198 card set
card back
• vitals, lifetime career stats up to that point, and two factoids about his leading oakland to a super bowl victory as well as a piece of trivia about his time in college
1970 Topps Football Glossy #15 Fran Tarkenton
Player info
• 1966 ap league mvp
• won 5 total championships: three league titles and two super bowls
set info
• 219 total cards and the first set in seven years to include both afl and NFL players
card back
• blank black with his name and team ruggedly stamped on the back
2023 Topps Football Composite Finest #178 Roger Staubach
Player info
• Three-time league mvp winner
• three-time league champion and one-time super bowl champion
set info
• 132 card set
• set includes metallic stickers of each team
card back
• vitals, career stats, and a short bio about Staubach, aka “captain comeback,” describing him as an “elusive slinger”
