SOLD 1971 O-Pee-Chee John LaGrone #57 Edmonton Eskimos

Description

1971 O-Pee-Chee John LaGrone #57 Edmonton Eskimos For serious CFL defensive collectors, few names carry more weight from the early seventies than John LaGrone, and this 1971 O-Pee-Chee John LaGrone #57 Edmonton Eskimos card is a cornerstone for any Eskimos or defensive line collection. The 1971 O-Pee-Chee set is celebrated for its bold red borders, in stadium photography, and fully bilingual English and French backs that make it distinctly Canadian. This issue arrived at a pivotal moment for the league, capturing players who would define the physical style of Canadian football in the 1970s. John LaGrone was the anchor of that physicality. Listed as a 5 foot 11, 235 pound import defensive tackle from Southern Methodist University, LaGrone was a dominant interior force. The back of this card highlights his elite amateur pedigree, noting he was selected to the Coaches All-American First Team, and his professional resume was even more impressive. In 1969 he received the Schenley Award for Lineman of the Year, the highest honor for a lineman in the CFL, and he had been selected for three consecutive years to the All-Canadian Team, a testament to his consistency and toughness. Paired with Greg Pipes, LaGrone formed what the back of Pipes card calls the backbone of the Eskimos defence, a duo that made Edmonton one of the hardest teams to run against in the West. His mustache, intense stare, and classic green and gold uniform make this portrait one of the more memorable in the set. Collectors who focus on Schenley winners, SMU Mustangs alumni, or the great American defensive tackles who helped shape the modern CFL will want this card in their display. This is a Canadian O-Pee-Chee bilingual back with the classic pink cartoon panel noting John was selected to the Coaches All-American First Team and 1ST. logo, plus full English and French biographical text. The front shows excellent centering at roughly 55/45 both ways, with sharp color and no surface scuffs on the portrait. Corners are mostly sharp with only the faintest touch of wear at the bottom left visible under magnification, much better than average for red borders. Edges are clean with almost no chipping, retaining the bright red frame. The back is clean with uniform tan toning, no stains, no creases, and strong black print. Light handling is evident only on close inspection. We estimate a conservative raw grade of EX-MT 6 due to the strong corners and centering, with room for an even nicer appearance in hand. If you are searching for 1971 O-Pee-Chee John LaGrone #57 Edmonton Eskimos, this is a high eye appeal example of a key defensive star. Grade Estimate: EX-MT 6