All-Time Vintage CFL Cards

With the 112th Grey Cup set for this weekend in Winnipeg, MB, now is a good time to celebrate the rich and colourful legacy of the CFL and its trading cards.

Canadian football’s proud card traditions date back to 1952, with the inaugural Parkhurst set, and its passionate fan culture remains a cornerstone of Canadian sports. Each year, the Grey Cup — affectionately known as Canada’s biggest outdoor party — unites fans from coast to coast in a celebration of football and community.

Image: from 2016 Grey Cup parade in Ottawa

Every team enjoys the support of dedicated fans whose unique traditions bring energy and excitement to the game. Complementing this spirit is a loyal base of trading card collectors who have helped preserve and share the league’s storied past. CFL trading cards have been produced by various manufacturers from 1952 to 1972, and again from 1981 to the present — offering decades of collectible history.

Let’s take a fresh look at some of the most iconic and sought-after vintage CFL cards, from 1952 to 1999.

Guidelines for this list: one card per player. For each entry, we’ll summarize the player’s career, highlight their Grey Cup experience, and provide details about the featured card.

1983 JOGO CFL Warren Moon

Warren Moon’s most coveted CFL card captures a legend at the height of his prowess. The card was issued during his final season with the Edmonton Eskimos (now Edmonton Elks), one year before he launched the second act of his Hall of Fame career with the NFL’s Houston Oilers. In his six seasons in Edmonton, Moon was part of five Grey Cup championship teams. As the only player ever inducted into both the Canadian Football Hall of Fame and the Pro Football Hall of Fame, the former Washington Husky is widely regarded as one of the most gifted quarterbacks in football history, regardless of league.

Moon is often thought of during Grey Cup week for being a big part of possibly the greatest dynasty in CFL history. He backed up Tom Wilkinson in 1978 and 1979, becoming the starting quarterback in 1980. Moon said on stage at the Sport Card & Memorabilia Expo in Toronto that the 1980 Grey Cup win over Hamilton was his favourite, as it was his first as a starter. It was also the game in which he won his first of two Grey Cup MVP awards.

Moon’s 1983 JOGO card is considered the key card of modern CFL collecting and anchors a set that marked the league’s return to standard-sized trading cards after 11 years. Sometimes called the “1986 Fleer Basketball” of CFL cards, the unnumbered ’83 JOGO set features several of the first standard pro cards of stars like Tom Clements, Dieter Brock, Mervyn Fernandez, Lui Passaglia, Condredge Holloway, Rocky DiPietro, and future U.S. Congressman J.C. Watts. With only 900 complete sets produced — 600 sold to the public and 300 distributed to players — the set’s limited availability and stellar rookie checklist have cemented its legendary status among collectors. Warren Moon’s very first CFL card, is part of the inaugural JOGO set from 1981. The set is known for its oversized dimensions (5” x 3.5”) and black-and-white design, giving it a distinctive and classic look.

1954 Blue Ribbon #48 Jackie Parker

Before turning pro, Jackie Parker was an All-SEC quarterback for the Mississippi State Bulldogs. In an era when CFL and NFL salaries were relatively comparable, Parker chose to sign with the CFL’s Edmonton Eskimos after being selected by the New York Giants in the 5th round (55th overall) of the 1953 NFL Draft. He quickly became one of the most dynamic and respected players in all of professional football.

Parker won the Grey Cup in his first three years in Edmonton. As a rookie in 1954, “Ol’ Spaghetti Legs” made one of the most famous plays in Grey Cup history. Chuck Hunsinger of the Montreal Alouettes fumbled and Parker, who was both a quarterback and defensive back, scooped up the ball and returned it 90 yards for a touchdown. It remained a Grey Cup record until Cassius Vaughn’s 109-yard fumble return in the 105th Grey Cup.

Parker’s rookie card is a prized possession for CFL collectors and a significant piece of Canadian football history. The card features an in-action photo of the legendary Edmonton star, renowned for his remarkable versatility and later serving as a coach. Measuring 4″ x 2.25″, the card headlines the 1954 Blue Ribbon set, one of the CFL’s earliest and most important trading card releases. Highly in demand for its rarity, historical significance, and clean vintage design, the Parker rookie is extremely difficult to find in high grade — making it one of the most valuable and truly iconic CFL cards ever produced.

1959 Topps CFL #56 Russ Jackson

Russ Jackson, a Hamilton, ON native, was a two-sport standout at McMaster University, originally recruited for basketball but quickly emerging as a star quarterback. Drafted in the first round of the 1958 CFL Draft by the Ottawa Rough Riders, he went on to play 12 legendary seasons (1958-1969) with the team. Widely celebrated as the greatest Canadian-born quarterback in CFL history.

Jackson won three Grey Cups in Ottawa as a starting quarterback in 1960, 1968 and 1969. He retired after winning the 1969 Grey Cup. Jackson is one of only three players to win the CFL’s Most Outstanding Player and Most Outstanding Canadian in the same season.

This is Jackson’s most desired and widely-recognized rookie-year card — he also has a popular 1959 Wheaties issue, cards were inserted four cards per specially-marked cereal boxes. The Topps card is one of the true key cards in all of CFL collecting.

1965 Topps CFL #98 George Reed

The legendary running back George Reed spent his entire 13-year career with the Saskatchewan Roughriders from 1963 to 1975, becoming the league’s all-time leading rusher at the time of his retirement. Reed helped win one Grey Cup championship with the Riders in 1966 and was later inducted into the Canadian Football Hall of Fame. He continues to be one of the most beloved figures in Saskatchewan sports history. The Most Outstanding Player award in the CFL was renamed the “George Reed Most Outstanding Player Award” in late 2023 to honour Reed’s legendary career and lasting impact on Canadian football.

Reed played in four Grey Cups, winning in 1966 and then being on the losing end in 1967, 1969 and 1972. In 1966, he was the Grey Cup MVP with 23 carries for 133 yards. His 31-yard touchdown run in the fourth quarter iced the win for the green Riders.

Reed’s 1965 rookie card remains one of the most sought-after vintage CFL cards due to his popularity and legendary status in football history. Well-centered copies are scarce, and near-mint to mint examples consistently command strong demand among collectors. The highest PSA-graded copies of this card are five NM-MT 8s and three Mint 9s.

1961 Topps CFL #79 Ron Lancaster

Ron Lancaster was a legendary quarterback in the league, playing 19 seasons primarily with the Saskatchewan Roughriders (1963-1978), where he guided the team to five Grey Cup finals and their first championship in 1966. Over his career, he earned CFL Most Outstanding Player twice and ranking among the league’s all-time passing leaders. After retiring, Lancaster continued his legacy through coaching and broadcasting.

Lancaster won his first Grey Cup in 1960 with the Ottawa Rough Riders. He was sent to Saskatchewan in 1963 as there was no room for him at quarterback with Russ Jackson there. Lancaster led the Saskatchewan Roughriders to the 1966 Grey Cup title, beating Jackson and his old team in the Grey Cup. He also won Grey Cups as a coach in 1993 with Edmonton and 1999 with Hamilton.

The 1961 Topps CFL #79 Ron Lancaster card is his rookie card, featuring “The Little General” during his early days with the Ottawa Rough Riders. With its black and white photography and simple layout, this set is a favourite among CFL collectors.

1971 O-Pee-Chee CFL #150 Joe Theismann

An All-American quarterback at Notre Dame, Joe Theismann lead the Fighting Irish to a 20-3-2 record before his three memorable seasons in the CFL as an all-star with the Argonauts. In 1974, he started his 12-year NFL career with Washington, winning Super Bowl XVII, earning two Pro Bowl selections, and being named NFL MVP.

Theismann never won a Grey Cup, though he guided the Argos to the 1971 Grey Cup in Vancouver against the Calgary Stampeders. The Argos had a chance to win in the final moments but lost when running back Leon McQuay fumbled. The 1972 Argos were considered the best team in the CFL but did not win the Grey Cup.

The 1971 OPC card features Theismann during his first year with the Argos and is his first professional issue. The bright-red borders are particularly sensitive to wear, causing values to vary significantly based on condition, with near-mint and mint copies commanding premium prices. Theismann’s on-field success and later broadcasting career enhance the card’s desirability among CFL, NFL, and college football collectors.

1956 Parkhurst CFL #3 Norman Kwong

“Normie” Kwong was a pioneer in Canadian football as he became the first Chinese-Canadian to play professional football, winning four Grey Cup championships as a running back. After his football career, he became a successful businessman and served as Lieutenant Governor of Alberta from 2005 to 2010, making him the first Chinese-Canadian to hold a vice-regal position in Canada.

Kwong joined his home town Calgary Stampeders out of high school and won his first Grey Cup as a rookie in 1948 as part of the only undefeated team in the modern era of Canadian pro football. He won three more Grey Cups with Edmonton from 1954-56. He was the first Canadian running back to rush for 1,000 yards in a season. He is also one of only a handful of people with their names engraved on both the Grey Cup and the Stanley Cup, as he was one of the six original owners of the Calgary Flames.

The cards from the 1956 Parkhurst set measure 1 3/4″ x 1 7/8″, were printed on photo stock, and the fronts originally came undeveloped; each pack provided sheets of developing paper for collectors to expose the photographs themselves, making this series extremely unique among sports cards of its era. Collectors value Kwong’s cards not only for its historical significance in Canadian football but also as a representation of a trailblazer who contributed greatly to sports and society in Canada. Another popular 1956 card of Kwong is the Shredded Wheat #7B, beloved for its contrasting black and white photo with a bold, colourful background.

1990 JOGO CFL #94 Doug Flutie

Doug Flutie became a CFL superstar in the 1990s, winning three Grey Cup championships and six Most Outstanding Player awards in eight seasons. After winning the Heisman Trophy at Boston College in 1984, he revitalized his career in Canada before returning to the NFL, where he played until 2005. He is remembered as one of the greatest players in CFL history and helped elevate the league’s profile during his dominant run with the BC Lions, Calgary Stampeders, and Toronto Argonauts.

Flutie is one of the greatest Grey Cup performers in CFL history. In the 1990s he won a Grey Cup with Calgary in 1992 and then two with Toronto in 1996 and 1997. He was MVP of all three games.

Whether or not you consider a card from 1990 as vintage, there is no denying Flutie’s impact on the CFL. His play helped elevate the status of the league and its cards, resulting in increased production numbers. However, the dark blue colour of the borders keeps this card a rare find in top condition — only one PSA 10 and five PSA 9s have been graded to date. Flutie has a second card in the set, card #111, which features an in-action photo of him from the waist up.

1959 Topps CFL #72 Angelo Mosca

The longtime Hamiltonian, Angelo Mosca was a dominant defensive tackle who earned five CFL All-Star selections, appeared in nine Grey Cup games, and won five championships. He was inducted into the Canadian Football Hall of Fame in 1987. After retiring from football, he built a successful second career as a professional wrestler and remained a beloved figure in Hamilton sports history until his passing in 2021.

Perhaps no player is more synonymous with the Grey Cup than Mosca. He and former teammate John Barrow share the record for having played in nine Grey Cups. He won five – with Ottawa in 1960 and with Hamilton in 1963, 1965, 1967 and 1972. He is remembered for a late hit on Willie Fleming of the BC Lions in the 1963 Grey Cup in Vancouver. The infamous hit triggered a senior citizen’s public scrap in November 2011 between Mosca and Joe Kapp, who was the Lions’ quarterback at the time.

Collectors are captivated by his 1959 Topps rookie card for its striking photo, which pictures Mosca charging directly toward the camera, showcasing his intense eyes, and remarkable size and speed. The 1959 Topps set was the company’s second CFL release and is considered a landmark issue that also features Russ Jackson’s rookie card.

1971 Chevron BC Lions Carl Weathers (Bonus Card)

Carl Weathers is widely recognized as a successful Hollywood actor, known for his roles as Apollo Creed in the Rocky films, Chubbs Peterson in Happy Gilmour and Greef Karga in The Mandalorian series. However, following his time at San Diego State, and before pursuing acting, Weathers had a brief professional football career in both the NFL and CFL.

Weathers’ NFL career with the Oakland Raiders was so brief that he never appeared on an NFL card. His first professional football card was issued by Chevron during his time with the BC Lions in 1971. These team-issued Chevron Touchdown cards were distributed as promotional items with fuel purchases at British Columbia gas stations. The Carl Weathers card was not included in the regular team set and could only be obtained through a mail-in request as a “Bonus Card” during the promotion period, making it extremely scarce. To illustrate its rarity, only two copies have been graded by PSA (a 6 and a 5). A high-grade copy (SGC 8.5, with a population of one and none higher) sold in November 2021 for $5,000 CAD. More recently, a PSA 5 copy sold for $4,560 USD in the summer of 2024.

1986 JOGO CFL #83 Brian Pillman

Brian Pillman played three games as a defensive lineman for the Calgary Stampeders in 1986. He initially pursued an NFL career, spending time with the Cincinnati Bengals in 1984 and briefly with the Buffalo Bills in 1985, but his smaller size and an ankle injury limited his football career.

After his time in the CFL, Pillman turned to professional wrestling and trained under the legendary Stu Hart in Calgary’s infamous “Dungeon.” Throughout the late 1980s and early 1990s, he wrestled for various promotions, including World Championship Wrestling (WCW), where he formed the popular tag team “The Hollywood Blonds” with Steve Austin. Pillman became known for his high-flying athleticism and innovative moves. In the mid-1990s, his “Loose Cannon” persona blurred the lines between reality and performance in wrestling. His career was tragically cut short when he died in 1997 at age 35, but he left a lasting impact on professional wrestling through his unpredictable character work and athletic style.

Despite playing only three games, Pillman has a CFL card from his 1986 season that has become one of the most sought-after CFL cards from the 1980s. It’s a favorite among both CFL and wrestling collectors, and the challenging black borders make high-grade copies particularly desirable. Recent sales of Mint PSA 9 copies have ranged from $250 to $350 USD. No PSA 10s exist.

1952 Parkhurst #42 Sam Etcheverry

The Alouettes’ Sam Etcheverry, who played college football at the University of Denver, became a Montreal icon after signing in 1952, setting nearly every team passing record and becoming the first CFL quarterback to surpass 4,000 passing yards in a season (1956) while also holding the record for the longest pass completion at 109 yards. Known as “The Rifle,” Etcheverry transitioned to the NFL in 1961, playing two seasons with the St. Louis Cardinals before retiring from professional football. He was inducted into the Canadian Football Hall of Fame in 1969.

It’s hard to believe that Etcheverry, still considered one of the greatest passers in CFL history, never won a Grey Cup as a player. He led the Alouettes to three Grey Cups – 1954-56 – and the Als lost to Edmonton each time. Etcheverry passed for 508 yards in the 1955 Grey Cup, still a record. He won his only Grey Cup as the Alouettes head coach in 1970.

The Etcheverry card is the key piece from the first mainstream Canadian football release. The 100-card set, measuring 2.5″ x 1.75″, also known as “Parkies Football,” features the cards of several other prominent legends of the game, including the famous Argo offensive duo of QB/RB/K Joe Kroll and running back Royal Copeland.

1986 JOGO CFL #67 Damon Allen

Damon Allen was a record-setting quarterback who played 23 seasons in the league, winning three Grey Cup championships and becoming the all-time leader in passing yards until his retirement in 2008. He was known for his longevity, leadership, and versatility. The Cal State Fullerton alum played for six different CFL teams during his Hall of Fame career. His brother, Marcus Allen, was a star NFL running back.

Allen won four Grey Cups – 1987 and 1993 in Hamilton, 2000 with the BC Lions, and 2004 with the Toronto Argonauts. He was the MVP in three of them.

The black borders of the 1986 JOGO set create a striking frame, but they make the card’s edges and corners very condition-sensitive. To date, only five PSA 8 copies of the card have been graded.

1994 JOGO CFL #309 Mike Pringle

Los Angeles, CA native Mike Pringle was one of the most prolific running backs in CFL history, playing from 1994 to 2003 and winning five rushing titles while setting numerous league records, including being the CFL’s all-time rushing leader and all-time all-purpose yardage leader. Pringle was inducted into the Canadian Football Hall of Fame in 2008.

Pringle won three Grey Cups with three different teams, winning with the Baltimore Stallions in 1995, Montreal Alouettes in 2002 and Edmonton Eskimos in 2003.

The Pringle rookie card features the talented running back with the Baltimore Stallions, during the CFL’s experimental expansion into the US from 1993 to 1995. Future Alouettes teammate Anthony Calvillo also made his CFL-card debut in this set.

1994 JOGO CFL #202 Anthony Calvillo

Anthony Calvillo, the record-breaking quarterback who spent most of his 20-year career with the Montreal Alouettes, became the professional football all-time leader in passing yards with over 79,000 yards. He won three Grey Cup championships and three Most Outstanding Player awards, establishing himself as one of the greatest quarterbacks in Canadian football history before retiring in 2013.

Calvillo has started in more Grey Cups (8) than any other quarterback. He holds the Grey Cup career passing record with 2,470 yards.

This is Calvillo’s rookie card and it pictures him with the Las Vegas Posse. This card plus the Pringle rookie make the 1994 JOGO set a must for Alouettes collectors.

CONCLUSION

CFL trading cards represent a treasured piece of Canadian sports heritage, chronicling the careers of legendary players and characters who built the league’s storied tradition from 1952 through the present. This is just a small sample of what makes CFL collecting so special.

Thank you to former hobby executive, writer and CFL off-field official Jeff Morris and former CFL broadcaster James Cybulski for their contributions to this list.

Let us know what you think. Who else do you think deserves to be on the list? Keep up with the latest trends in CFL card collecting by following the GRADEx Market Report, your go-to source for tracking the most valuable and sought-after cards in the hobby.