[coachlew10]

Why does it have to state Redskins or NFL for it to be considered a rookie?? The use of MJ was just an example of how a players "first card" in a product can be considered a RC card.

Poor example, as the reason the MJ was a rookie is that there were no other licensed companies to produce Basketball products in the early to mid 80's but Fleer. The 1986-87 Fleer card is the one and only licensed NBA product of Michael Jordan made since his first year in the NBA. The Star company made unlicensed cards during the 80's but those are not his RC because they are unlicensed. There were no licensed basketball cards from 1983 to 1986. Star company produced cards but they are not Rookies. Fleer produced the 1986-1987 set and every card in there of a player that came into the league after the 1982 Topps release are rookies, because it is their first licensed product.