(LOT 158)
Extraordinary 1976 Topps #148 Walter Payton Rookie Card PSA 10 Gem Mint
Locating a PSA 10 Gem Mint Walter Payton 1976 Topps #148 rookie card is synonymous to finding a "needle in a haystack!" Indeed, PSA has encapsulated nearly 11,000 Walter Payton rookie cards, with only 0.5% achieving the hallowed PSA 10 assessment. This spectacular "10" offering has easily merited its pinnacle grade with virtually every factory issued attribute consistent with the "Gem Mint" criteria including flawless surfaces, brilliant hues, razor sharp corners, near-perfect centering and crystal-clear clarity. Its only "imperfect" feature is a negligible rough factory cut along the upper edge that is extremely common with this issue.

Hobbyists surely realize how the price tags of a Payton rookie PSA 10 have soared to staggering heights, with one particular example fetching a record-breaking $124K back in March 2021. It was only a matter of time for this world-class football star's inaugural card to achieve the respect it truly deserved, for Walter Payton easily stands as one of Pro-Football's most iconic players. For 13 incredible seasons (1975-1987), Payton was the "eye of the Windy City's apple", captivating Chicago's zealous fans to the tune of 16,726 rushing yards and 110 touchdowns, while leading the Bears to their only Super Bowl victory in January 1986. "Sweetness", his popular nickname, could "stop on a dime and cut back" against the most formidable defenses, with his running style similar to other elusive legends such as Gale Sayers, O.J. Simpson and Barry Sanders. His list of accolades is seemingly infinite including nine All-Pro appearances, the 1977 rushing leader, the 1977 Most Valuable Player, a member of the 1970's & 1980's All-Decade teams, a member of the NFL 75th Anniversary All-Time team and an eternal fixture in Pro-Football's illustrious Hall of Fame.

He was loved by an adoring gridiron nation, and his tragic death at the tender age of 45 due to a rare liver disease sent shockwaves throughout the NFL circuit. It is therefore with little surprise that avid football enthusiasts actively seek his most treasured cardboard artifacts with none of them more desirable than a PSA 10 rookie card. This museum worthy memento rekindles fond memories of the great Walter Payton's earliest playing days, and how this sensational running back could easily make the finest defensive lineman and linebackers look foolish as he gracefully eluded them time after time in his relentless quest towards reaching the opponent's end zone. Dubbed by Mike Ditka as the greatest player he ever coached as well as being the consummate team player, one of Walter Payton's all-time favorite quotes was "we are stronger together than we are alone", and this textbook 1976 Topps inaugural Payton PSA 10 offering truly stands as the perfect testament for his unparalleled legacy!

MIN BID $20,000
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