The 1980s was a transformative decade for NFL card collecting, with the introduction of rookie cards from some of the sport's greatest players. Joe Montana's rookie card, from the 1981 Topps set, is often regarded as the most iconic, with a recent sale of a PSA 8 version reaching $524. Meanwhile, Lawrence Taylor's 1982 Topps rookie card, celebrated for his defensive prowess, sold for $835 in PSA 9 condition. Dan Marino, who retired with impressive statistical records, saw his 1984 Topps rookie card sell for $519, while John Elway's rookie card from the same year fetched $728. The demand for these cards is partly due to their rarity and the challenge of finding well-centered copies. As the hobby continues to grow, collectors are encouraged to check their collections for these valuable cards.