Score Football Card Designs Through the Years, 1989-2013
Since debuting in 1989, Score Football cards have been among the most affordable and widely collected sets in the hobby. Focused largely on giving a comprehensive checklist aimed at set builders, the brand has never been hugely focused on secondary market values. Rather, it's about covering the gridiron happenings with key stars, mid-range players and plenty of rookies. The formula is straightforward. There's something to be said for being able to have fun in the hobby without worrying about investment potential and the big hits. That's why Score Football has been a hobby pillar for a quarter of a century.
2013 Score Football marks the set's 25th year. The made its pigskin debut in 1989 with one of the best sets of the Junk Wax Era. The 1989 Score Football checklist includes, arguably, the most iconic rookie cards of Barry Sanders and Troy Aikman amongst others. Like baseball, the design was bright and unmistakable. In fact, colorful designs were a staple for Score Football for many years. Until recently, it's not a brand that's been know for its subtleties. Rather, rainbow borders, lots of lines, a sometimes dizzying number of energetic subsets and loud looks were all regular features for the brand's first decade.
Since 2002, Score Football has gone with more traditional white borders. While some of the designs have continued to be busy, they're a far cry from the brand's early days. As the years have gone on, the designs have shifted even further to stronger photography and even further away from being loud, at least for veterans photos.
As an early release, Score Football rookie cards have a long history of looking a little more generic. Portraits, college uniforms and generic threads have been used on the vast majority of the brand's rookie cards. Sometimes it works, other times, not so much.
Below is a complete visual guide showcasing all Score Football card designs from its 1989 debut through 2013. What's your favorite? Let us know in the comments below.
Visual History of Score Football Base Card Designs, 1989-2013
Click on the thumbnail for a larger image.
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- 1989 Score Football
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- 1990 Score Football
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- 1991 Score Football
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- 1992 Score Football
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- 1993 Score Football
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- 1994 Score Football
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- 1995 Score Football
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- 1996 Score Football
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- 1997 Score Football
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- 1998 Score Football
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- 1999 Score Football
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- 2000 Score Football
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- 2001 Score Football
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- 2002 Score Football
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- 2003 Score Football
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- 2004 Score Football
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- 2005 Score Football
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- 2006 Score Football
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- 2007 Score Football
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- 2008 Score Football
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- 2009 Score Football
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- 2010 Score Football
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- 2011 Score Football
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- 2012 Score Football
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- 2013 Score Football
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