While attempting to move some stuff recently I found a ton of old football cards. While looking through these cards and analyzing the statistics listed on the back of these cards I came to several conclusions.
First off, players are becoming more well-known than in the 1980s and 90s. Many players with respectable statisitics are now never mentioned by anyone. What ever happened to the Lamar Smiths or Webster Slaughters of the world? When technological upgrades like fantasy football and NFL Network came into play, professional athletes became even more mainstream. In past generations it was the top-notch stars that were known nationally. Now backup players are becoming recognizable. In past decades those type of players were only known by the fans of the team they played for. It is quite fun to recall lesser-known players from past years with a fan of the team you also like. Do fans of other teams have any idea who you are talking about? In many cases, unless that fan is really obsessed with the sport, probably not.
Also card companies have become way too obsessed with rookies. These guys receive all the attention because of the potential involved. It all started when a big-name player’s one or two rookies cards that were made became highy sought after. Big name draft picks today have over one hundred rookies in some cases. It is simply a flooded market. In looking at old cards from the late 1990’s and early 2000’s, it seems clear that having double digit amounts of rookie cards of players who become major dissappointments seems excessive. I think several Pro-Bowl offensive linemen probably don’t even have barely any cards at all made of them.
