1997 Stadium Club Football was split into two series. Each series had 170 base cards. Topps did something different in 1997 (and 1998 baseball), though, and split the series into odds and evens. Series 1 has just odd numbered base cards, while Series 2 contains all of the even numbered cards. Why did they do this? Who knows, but collectors went absolutely bonkers. Especially set collectors. Imagine ripping a box and then sitting down to sort out the cards? It wasn’t well-loved.  

As far as Rookie Cards go, Series 2 had the best two on the checklist, Warrick Dunn and Tony Gonzalez. 

By now everyone knows that Stadium Club is known for fun photography. That wasn’t always the case, though. Originally, Stadium Club simply boasted great photo quality, not always fun pictures. Through the years the fun photo selections started to find their way into the set, and slowly moved the set towards what it is known for today.

1997 Topps Stadium Club Series 2 Football Box Break

Cards per pack: 9
Packs per box: 24
Price paid: $50

Shop for 1997 Topps Stadium Club Series 2 Football boxes on eBay.

Pack 1 highlights:

Keyshawn Johnson, Carl Pickens, Bruce Smith, Lawrence Phillips, Terry Kirby, Dorsey Levens & Eric Metcalf

Eric Metcalf was traded (along with draft picks) to the Cardinals in exchange for the second overall pick in the 1998 draft. Who did the Chargers select with that pick? Ryan Leaf.

Pack 2:

Marshall Faulk

Pack 3:

Ed McCaffrey, Curtis Martin & Vinny Testaverde

Pack 4:

Herschel Walker, Keenan McCardell & Eric Metcalf

Walker played the final games of his career in 1997, playing mostly as a fullback. 

Pack 5:

Walker again, Mark Chmura & Warren Moon

Pack 6:

Natrone Means & Orlando Pace Never Compromise (1 in every 12 packs)

Pack 7:

Terrell Owens, Bennie Blades & Garrison Hearst

Did T.O. catch this ball? I hope so, otherwise his card features an incomplete pass. 

Pack 8:

Amani Toomer, Warren Moon, Kordell Stewart, Tony Gonzalez RC & John Elway

Pack 9:

Warrick Dunn RC & Willie McGinest

Pack 10:

James Farrior Never Compromise (1:12 packs)

Farrior was selected seventh overall by the Jets in the 1997 draft. 

Pack 11:

Natrone Means

Pack 12:

Edgar Bennett

Pack 13:

Edgar Bennett & Jeff George

Jeff George led the league in 1997 with 3,917 passing yards. 

Pack 14:

Jeff Blake, Trent Dilfer, Tedy Bruschi & Winslow Oliver One of a Kind (1:48 packs)

Pack 15:

Joey Galloway, Eddie George, Terry Glenn & Randall Cunningham

Pack 16:

Lawrence Phillips, Terry Kirby & Jeff George

Pack 17:

John Elway, Isaac Bruce, Kordell Stewart & Garrison Hearst

What do we think Elway is yelling here? Maybe “Broncos Country, let’s ride!”

Pack 18:

Kerry Collins & Will Blackwell Never Compromise (1:12 packs)

Pack 19:

Jeff Blake, Trent Dilfer, Rod Woodson & Rick Mirer

Pack 20:

Emmitt Smith, Terrell Owens, Bennie Blades & yet another Garrison Hearst

Bennie played defensive back, while his brother, Brian, was an NFL wide receiver. 

Pack 21:

Emmitt Smith & Dan Marino

Pack 22:

Rodney Hampton, Qadry Ismail, Michael Irvin & Rodney Hampton/Anthony Johnson Co-Signers (1:70 packs)

The backside, featuring Anthony Johnson

Pack 23:

Marshall Faulk

Pack 24:

Warrick Dunn RC, Michael Westbrook & Steve Young

Lastly, the Steve Young card back. Young was still getting it done in his mid to late 30s!

You are not allowed to complain after pulling a Co-Signers dual autograph card. I don’t make the rules. They are attractive cards featuring front and back on-card signatures. They aren’t easy pulls either, found once in every three boxes or so.

I did miss out on one insert I should have found. Bowman’s Best Rookie Previews are supposed to be found once per box, but it seems I got an extra Never Compromise insert instead. The Preview inserts didn’t feature a great checklist anyways, with Tony Gonzalez being the star of the 15-card insert set. 

I am always a fan of opening Stadium Club and this one did not disappoint.

Shop for 1997 Topps Stadium Club Football on:

• Beckett Marketplace
• eBay

Want more installments of Shane Salmonson’s Cheap Wax Wednesday? Check out his other breaks in the archives.