Cris Carter Rookie Cards, Year ???

BTram · 03-23-2026, 11:47 PM

I was looking up Cris Carter rookie cards and the only ones available are a 1989 "rookie" cards when his rookie season was in 1987. Did they not make any real rookie cards of him?

49erRCCollector · 03-23-2026, 11:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BTram

I was looking up Cris Carter rookie cards and the only ones available are a 1989 "rookie" cards when his rookie season was in 1987. Did they not make any real rookie cards of him?

Yes, no cards in '87/'88. Very common back then. Montana was a rookie in '79, his rookie card came in '81.

BTram · 03-24-2026, 12:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 49erRCCollector

Yes, no cards in '87/'88. Very common back then. Montana was a rookie in '79, his rookie card came in '81.

Okay, that makes sense. Thank you.

Scottish Punk · 03-24-2026, 10:31 AM

Football sets were always pretty small. Many players who don't make much of an impact or are not star players on defense/oline never got cards. Also, 1989 was the first year that draft picks received cards the same year they were drafted.

49erRCCollector · 03-24-2026, 12:00 PM

Philosophically, I always call a players' FIRST card their Rookie Card, even if it doesn't come their rookie year.

BTram · 03-24-2026, 06:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Scottish Punk

Football sets were always pretty small. Many players who don't make much of an impact or are not star players on defense/oline never got cards. Also, 1989 was the first year that draft picks received cards the same year they were drafted.

Quote:

Originally Posted by 49erRCCollector

Philosophically, I always call a players' FIRST card their Rookie Card, even if it doesn't come their rookie year.

Gotcha, thank you both for your help.

03-23-2026, 11:47 PM	#1
BTram Member Join Date: Jan 2026 Posts: 103 tram004	Cris Carter Rookie Cards, Year ??? I was looking up Cris Carter rookie cards and the only ones available are a 1989 "rookie" cards when his rookie season was in 1987. Did they not make any real rookie cards of him?

03-24-2026, 12:00 PM	#5
49erRCCollector Member Join Date: Apr 2016 Location: Los Angeles Posts: 13,052	Philosophically, I always call a players' FIRST card their Rookie Card, even if it doesn't come their rookie year. __________________ Will MASSIVELY overpay for: 2002 Fleer Authentix #180, 181 Derek Smith & Zack Bronson AND 2007 Upper Deck Target Exclusive Rookies Autographs #261 Joe Staley #'d to /5

03-24-2026, 10:31 AM	#4
Scottish Punk Member Join Date: May 2013 Location: Ann Arbor, MI Posts: 10,391 scottishpunk	Football sets were always pretty small. Many players who don't make much of an impact or are not star players on defense/oline never got cards. Also, 1989 was the first year that draft picks received cards the same year they were drafted.