The 1980s stand as a transitional era for football card collectors, offering a diverse array of designs that encapsulated the spirit of the sport. As we look back at the Topps football card designs of that iconic decade, we'll not only celebrate individual player milestones but also rank the designs based on how much of a sense of nostalgia they bring.

I’m going to highlight my favorite designs of the 1980s Topps football cards through some of the best rookie cards from each year!

Images of each card courtesy of COMC.com

1) 1981 Topps Joe Montana Rookie Card

Topping my list is the 1981 Topps Joe Montana rookie card (eBay link). This card is a classic masterpiece introduced collectors to a future Hall of Famer. The simplicity of the layout, featuring a vibrant action shot of Montana ready to make a throw, remains timeless. The bold Topps logo and striking colors set the tone for an era of football card excellence.

Another aspect of the card I find interesting is that the lack of logos on this card doesn’t seem to impact it being viewed as one of the most iconic cards of the 80s by the hobby community at large.

2) 1984 Topps John Elway Rookie Card

Securing the second spot is the 1984 Topps John Elway rookie card(eBay link). The bordered layout, colorful backdrop and classic Topps logo contribute to the card's overall sense of greatness. As Elway's rookie card, it remains a cornerstone in any football card collection, symbolizing the quarterback's enduring legacy.

This set also includes rookie cards of Miami Dolphins great Dan Marino, Eric Dickerson, and Howie Long!

3) 1983 Topps Marcus Allen

The 1983 Topps Marcus Allen rookie card(eBay link) is one of the most notable cards in the 1983 Set. The Mike Singletary rookie is a close second.

I like the use of what I’d call a hollow font to spell out the team name at the top of the card. The players game is in a block across the bottom, and an additional banner calls out any award winners.

The only thing missing is the team logo.

4) 1986 Topps Jerry Rice Rookie

The 1986 Topps Jerry Rice card(eBay link) claims the fourth spot for its exceptional design that captures the moment just before the hall of fame wide receiver takes off down the field.

The green and white striped football field border make for a very attractive design element, but it is brutal to the condition aspect of these cards. 1986 Topps was the first football card set I ever collected, so these have a special place in my heart.

5) 1985 Topps Warren Moon

In the fifth position is the 1985 Topps Warren Moon card(eBay link). I haven’t always been a big fan of horizontal card layouts, but ever since I put together the 1960 Topps baseball set a few years ago, the sideways orientation has started to grow on me. Like the 1986 set above, condition can be a challenge with the black borders of the 1985 set.

Moon was a great player in the 1980s, and his rookie is a nice one to have in your collection.

6) 1982 Topps Lawrence Taylor

Taylor was the embodiment of defensive dominance in the 1980s. His impact on the game is immortalized in the sixth-ranked 1982 Topps rookie card(eBay link).

This was the first time in years that Topps had the rights to use actual team logos and they put those rights to good use. The player images made good use of the logos, and the bottom corner also had a team logo image on each card. The flag containing the player name added a bit of continuity from the 1981 set.

7) 1989 Topps Traded Troy Aikman

Claiming the seventh spot is the 1989 Topps Traded Troy Aikman rookie card(eBay link). This card not only marks the entry of a future Hall of Famer but also features a design that foreshadows the evolving trends of the 1990s. Namely, Topps getting a bit boring and giving their football product second class status.

This was one of the most boring designs of the decade and so it falls a bit down my list.

8) 1988 Topps Bo Jackson

Bo Jackson's dynamic presence earns the eighth spot for the 1988 Topps card(eBay link). This set had borders (which I like), team logos (which I like) but it just lacks something in my opinion.

I don’t hate the design, but I just can justify it being in the top half of my rankings. So while the Bo card itself is one of my favorites from the 1980s, the set design itself falls to #8.

9) 1987 Topps Jim Kelly

The 1987 Topps Jim Kelly card secures the ninth position for its timeless simplicity. Kelly's card features a clean layout with a focus on the player's image. The use of bold colors and the iconic Topps design elements make this card a standout in the 1987 set, capturing the essence of the era.

Once again, a team logo in the bottom corner would bump the 1987 design up a few notches in my book.

10) 1980 Topps Phil Simms

Closing our list is the 1980 Topps Phil Simms rookie card(eBay link). The basic design, featuring a young Simms in his early years, marks the transition from one decade to the next and serves as a worthy addition to any football card collection.

There is nothing special about the 1980 design, so it falls to 10. I will say, I do like the use of the football as the backdrop of the team name and player position. So it does have that going for it.

The 1980s not only witnessed the rise of football legends but also the evolution of card design aesthetics. Each of these Topps football cards from the 1980s tells a unique story, capturing the essence of both the player and the era in which they played. Whether it's the classic simplicity of the 1981 Joe Montana card or the dynamic design of the 1986 Jerry Rice card, these top 10 designs showcase the diverse and lasting impact of football card collecting during this iconic decade. As collectors continue to seek these gems, the 1980s remain an unforgettable era in the history of football card design!

Now let me know in the comments below how you would rank the sets from the 1980s!