Cards From the Best WRs of the Decade
In the 1950s, for a brief moment, before strategies shifted and the running back took over workhorse duties for league offenses, the wide receiver reigned supreme, and fans saw performances that would stand the test of time. Players like Elroy “Crazy Legs” Hirsch would set records that wouldn’t be broken for decades, Chicago would have a receiver that still holds most of their receiving records, and this was all done with field goal uprights that were at the front of the end zone, without gloves and quarterback play that, due to the physicality of the sport in this era, could be wildly inconsistent.
Thankfully, both Topps and Bowman were there to immortalize these position-defining players with cards that are still highly sought after to this very day. These are the best wide receivers of the golden era of football.
The Top WRs of the 1950s
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1953 Bowman Football #36 Tom Fears
Player info
• in 1950, had a league record 18 receptions in a game. A record that stood for over 50 years
• Switched from db to wr after his first three seasons and then broke his own league record for receptions (84) and was the league receiving leader in 1950
Set info
• 96 card set
• cards are “vintage size” 2½” by 3¾
What they said
• “He was as fine a third-down receiver as anyone in the league.” – teammate elroy “crazy legs” Hirsch
1955 Bowman Football #33 Harlon Hill RC
Player info
• still holds over 15 chicago receiving records
• 1955 mvp
set info
• 160 card set
• Notable Hall of famers in the set include tom landry, norm van brocklin, and len ford’s rc
What they said
• (Hill) had an uncanny knack for pulling down impossible passes.” – George Halas
1957 Topps Football #42 Billy Wilson
Player info
• three-time league reception leader
• despite holding significant career stats that rival today’s players, he is not enshrined in the hall of Fame
Set info
• 154 card set
• first entirely horizontal set in Topps football history
What they said
• “Billy Wilson was the top pass receiver of his time and one of the finest blockers … I’ve thought that Billy certainly should have been enshrined years ago.” – Bill Walsh
1951 Bowman Football #76 Elroy Hirsch
Player info
• in 1951, set a league record for 1,495 receiving yards (made more impressive considering the season was then only 12 games)
• his 1951 season average of 124.6 was a league record until the merger and the 14-game season was introduced, but it still is the third-highest average ever (Calvin Johnson is fourth-highest at 122.8)
set info
• 144-card set featuring painted pictures of players
What they said
• “If you take a look at the offensive stats in pro football then, he was not just the best in the league, he was head and shoulders above his competitors.” – Michael MacCambridge, author of “America’s Game”
1958 Topps Football #6 Billie Howton
Player info
• in 1952, set a rookie receiving TD record (13) that would not be broken until 1998 (Randy Moss)
• two-time receiving yards leader and player with the most receiving yards in the 1950s (6,091)
set info
• 132 card set
• first set to feature a natural background in football card history
What they said
• “I’ll tell you a guy who is overlooked is Billy Howton. He was extremely professional in his pass routes. He knew what he was doing to maneuver and fake to get open. He would be effective going inside, going outside, effective going deep. He was an extremely dangerous receiver and had great technique.” – Receiver Raymond Berry
