Do you like Buzz Breaks? Today’s your day then as we launch 12 in 12 — a series of a dozen breaks of past wax boxes and wax packs in a dozen hours. We’ll post one every hour on the hour all day long today … this is Hour 1.
The box: 1997 Pro Line football (hobby)
The cost: $19 (originally $2.79 per pack; $78.12 per box)
What’s inside this one? Keep reading …
Packs per box: 28
Cards per pack: 8
Cards in this box: 224
Base set completion:
220 of 300 (73 percent)
Duplicates: 1
Notables on base cards – Cornelius Bennett, Ray Lewis, Andre Reed, Bruce Smith, Thurman Thomas, Rashaan Salaam, Ki-Jana Carter, Troy Aikman, Michael Irvin, Emmitt Smith, Terrell Davis, Shannon Sharpe, Barry Sanders, Brett Favre, Reggie White, Eddie George, Steve McNair, Marshall Faulk, Marcus Allen, Derrick Thomas, Dan Marino, Cris Carter, Drew Bledsoe, Curtis Martin, Keyshawn Johnson, Jerome Bettis, Rod Woodson, Terrell Owens, Jerry Rice, Steve Young, Warrick Dunn, Orlando Pace, Walter Jones
Inserts: 2 (see all and some base in gallery below)
Brett Favre 10 (1) – Brett Favre (Card No. 4)
Board Members (1) – Troy Aikman
Autographs/Memorabilia: 1
Pro Line Autographs (1) – Marco Battaglia (/500)
What’s Buzz-worthy: This one is a classic example for the simpler times of cardboard but with one of the touches of today. An autograph in every box and just two insert cards — actually simpler than previous Pro Line releases — and that’s it. This one is loaded with Hall of Famers and there is only one insert set that wasn’t found in this box. It literally has a total of 35 different inserts in the product — no parallels — and then base and ink. The 53-card autograph checklist can be seen on the bottom of the wax box and it’s got some big names now and then at the time — Kerry Collins, Emmitt Smith, Troy Aikman, Terrell Davis, Brett Favre, Eddie George, Keyshawn Johnson, Kordell Stewart, Steve Young, Joey Galloway, Warrick Dunn and many more. The rip is a bit dry but the cards don’t have any sticking issues as is common with the era because these cards are gloss-free. If you land a big auto, these can be a win but there are plenty of lesser autos that keep those odds in check. At the original price? Not a good rip unless you had deep pockets to chase ink. At the price I found this one at? It’s a tad dull but worth the shot — especially if you were around as a collector at that time. If not? There’s plenty of other releases to look into — Pro Line boxes make me a total sucker when I see them, which isn’t as common as it used to be.
Product Grade: A-
Box Grade: B
Fun Grade: B
What’s next? Be back in an hour …
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I love that you’re busting some 1990s product! Keep up the great work!
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