Rookie cards explained:

This is the criteria for defining a "rookie card" in this database.

  1. First year issue from a traditional set/brand licensed by the NFL and/or NFLPA.

  2. First year issue of an non-traditional set/brand (i.e. food issues, pocket schedules), which may or may not be licensed by the NFL and/or NFLPA. Only if the above criteria does not apply.

Example:

  1. Ahman Green has a 1997 Nebraska pocket schedule. This is regarded  as a "rookie card" because it was issued BEFORE 1998 the year of his traditional "rookie cards".

  2. Jeff Kinney has a 1977 Topps Mexican card. This is not regarded as a "rookie card" because it was issued during the same year as his traditional 1977 Topps card.

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