Rookie Debut Football Card Appraisal

Autographed Drew Bledsoe Dallas Cowboys Rookie Debut Football Card

This item is an autographed sports trading card featuring former NFL quarterback Drew Bledsoe. The card is standard size for football trading cards, typically measuring approximately 2.5 inches by 3.5 inches, and is crafted from coated cardstock, giving it a semi-glossy finish. The front of the card presents a vivid full-color photographic image of Drew Bledsoe in a Buffalo Bills uniform, complete with a red and blue helmet and a blue jersey displaying the number 11 on his arm. He is depicted holding a football, suggesting an action shot or a posed portrait from his time with the Bills. Below the main image, the player's name, "DREW BLEDSOE," is printed in black text, directly beneath which appears "DALLAS COWBOYS" in a smaller font, indicating the team he was associated with at the time of the card's production. The lower half of the card boldly features the phrase "ROOKIE DEBUT" in large, striking blue-grey block letters, emphasizing his foundational professional season despite the image showing him with the Bills and the text showing his Cowboys affiliation. To the right of this text, a stylized graphic silhouette of a football player in a throwing stance is visible. The Upper Deck logo, a notable manufacturer in sports trading cards, is clearly visible in the upper right corner, confirming its origin. The most prominent and valuable feature of this card is the authentic signature of Drew Bledsoe, rendered in what appears to be a bold, dark blue or black ink, scrawled across the "ROOKIE DEBUT" text and extending over the player silhouette. The autograph is clear, strong, and shows no immediate signs of smudging or fading, indicating good preservation. In terms of condition, the card appears to be in excellent to near-mint state, with crisp corners and edges, and a clean, vibrant surface free from visible creases, bends, or significant surface wear. Its estimated age would be from the mid-2000s (specifically 2004-2006), as it commemorates his 'Rookie Debut' while he was playing for the Dallas Cowboys, making it a retrospective issue from that period rather than his actual rookie card. This blend of retrospective tribute and current team affiliation, combined with the signature, makes it a unique piece for collectors.