Steve Van Buren: 1948 Leaf Football
Player: Steve “Big Boy” Van Buren
Card: 1948 Leaf Football, Card #22
Team/Position: Philadelphia Eagles / Runningback
Cost: $23.00
The print-line across the top definitely detracts from this 1948 Steve Van Buren, but it also made it affordable. There’s currently a PSA 5 available on eBay for just over 100 dollars, which is actually a pretty decent price — either way, Van Buren cards don’t come cheap.
Steve Van Buren began his life in Honduras before being orphaned and eventually sent to live with his grand-parents in N’Orleans. Van Buren decided to stay in state after receiving a scholarship from LSU. In Steve’s senior season, he lead the nation in total points and touchdowns.
The Eagles selected Van Buren with their first overall selection and the rest, as they say, is history.
Van Buren took home the NFL rushing crown on four different occasions and was selected an All Pro seven times. With the Eagles, Steve Van Buren won the NFL Championship two different times and is most remembered for his performance in the winter of 1948 (the year this card was published).
Against the Chicago Cardinals, Steve Van Buren ran for the game’s only touchdown. Ironically, Van Buren almost missed the game when he stayed home due to the ferocious snowstorm. Van Buren was forced to take three trolleys and walk twelve city blocks to get to the game on time.
Van Buren was enshrined into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1965 and will be best remembered for his hard-hitting running style that transformed the Philadelphia Eagles into a contender, almost overnight.
Bowman almost produced a trading card of Steve Van Buren in 1948, but they were still producing black and white cards at that point. The cards can be had a cheaper price, but aren’t nearly as presentable.
Comments