1972 O-Pee-Chee John LaGrone #93 Edmonton Eskimos

Description

1972 O-Pee-Chee John LaGrone #93 Edmonton Eskimos Dominant defensive tackles define championships, and this burly Eskimos star was among the CFLs very best. This 1972 O-Pee-Chee John LaGrone #93 Edmonton Eskimos card presents LaGrone in his number 66 with the intense stare that offensive linemen knew all too well. Collectors of vintage Canadian football prize interior linemen with award pedigrees, and LaGrone checks every box with All Star talent and a trophy case to match. It is an ideal addition to an Eskimos team page, a defensive line collection, or a full 1972 O-Pee-Chee run. The 1972 set itself remains a hobby favorite for good reason. O-Pee-Chee produced 132 cards with vivid team color borders that mirror the 1972 Topps NFL design, yet the Canadian print run, bilingual text, and unique player selection give it a distinct identity. Each back features a cartoon tied to the players position, vital stats, school and import details, and a short career sketch in both English and French. Edmonton cards use a gold border that contrasts handsomely with the deep green jerseys, creating one of the most attractive team runs in the checklist. Because gold edges highlight even light wear, collectors pay close attention to corners and centering when choosing raw copies. John LaGrone's credentials jump off the back. In only five years of pro ball he had already become one of the greats in the CFL, described as aggressive, quick, and elusive for a man his size. Most impressively, he was awarded the DeMarco Becket Memorial Trophy for outstanding lineman in his Rookie year, an honor that forecasts greatness and remains a celebrated award in Western football history. LaGrone combined leverage, hands, and motor to clog rushing lanes and collapse pockets, earning respect across the league. His presence helped set a physical tone that would come to define Edmonton football throughout the seventies. Cards that document award winners always carry extra storytelling power. Here is a careful look at this specific example. corners exhibit light wear with the lower pair a touch soft and the uppers showing only pinpoint touches, edges have faint rubbing on the gold border with no major white chipping or notches, and centering is off slightly at roughly 60/40 left to right with the left white margin thin while top to bottom remains balanced and attractive. This is a Canadian O-Pee-Chee bilingual back with English and French text and it is not a puzzle back, printed in Canada on clean tan stock with bold blue and green ink. No creases, wrinkles, stains, or writing are visible in the provided images. The conservative raw assessment fits the EX range, reflecting minor centering shift and age related corner softness rather than damage. Add this trench warrior to your cart for instant vintage punch. It ships protected and ready to display, trade, or submit for grading. Celebrate Edmonton grit with a card that honors one of the leagues premier interior forces. Grade Estimate: EX 5