Cards From the Best WRs of the Decade
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As we journey back through the eras of the wide receiver, we’ve witnessed the position evolve from the 1950s and its dominant ground game through the 1960s as offensive playbooks expanded and began sending the ball further across the air to the 1970s—the baseline for the modern-day league wide receiver—even if the game was still considered a run-first competition.
Football in the ’70s was a fascinating decade with equally captivating receivers, so let’s revisit true game-changing pass-catching greats. From the best receiver on the best team of the decade to stickum-covered tough guys and the most dominant and long-lasting receiver in the league (Jerry Rice before Jerry Rice), these are the best wide receivers of the hard-hitting 1970s.
The Top WRs of the 1970s
1977 Topps Football #295 Fred Biletnikoff
Player info
• 1971 reception leader
• four-time pro bowler
Set info
• 528 card set
• features a conference leader subset, league record subset, and conference and league champion cards
What they said
• “He just thought he had to have it. But whatever makes you comfortable to play, and that was Freddie … after he catches his first pass, then you’ve got to go right to the official and get a new ball. He was that way the whole game — just a mess.” – Ken Stabler on Biletnikoff’s usage of stickum
1975 Topps Football Highlights #459 Lynn Swann
Player info
• four-time league champion
• 1975 league championship mvp
set info
• 528 card set
• includes a scratch-off game piece
What they said
• “I would like to say that we developed Lynn Swann, but the truth is, he was perfectly developed as a football player the first time he stepped out on our practice field.” – Pittsburgh head coach Chuck Noll
1979 Topps Football #419 Charlie Joiner
Player info
• retired in 1986 as the career stats leader for the most receptions, receiving yards, and games played in league history
• Pro Football Hall of fame class of 1996
Set info
• 528 card set
• features a conference leader subset, a conference and league championship subset, and a five-card subset showing highlights from the 1978 season
card back
• ““the most intelligent, the smartest, the most calculating receiver the game has ever known.” – San Francisco head coach bill walsh
1972 Topps Football #26 Ken Burrough
Player info
• 1975 league receiving yards leader
• The last player to wear 00
set info
• 351 card set featuring a subset for conference offense and defensive leaders
What they said
• “At the time of his retirement, he was the franchise leader in career receiving yards and he still ranks third currently. I will fondly remember his distinctive double zero jersey racing down the field on another long touchdown.” – Tennessee controlling owner Amy Adams
1970 Topps Football #72 Harold Jackson
Player info
• Led the league in receiving twice (1969, 1972)
• Led the league in receiving Tds: 13 (1973)
set info
• 263 card set
• glossy cards and “poster” cards as inserts
card back
• “He may be small, but he can fly.” – player-coach irv cross
