1972 O-Pee-Chee Ron Forwick #98 Edmonton Eskimos

Description

1972 O-Pee-Chee Ron Forwick #98 Edmonton Eskimos Step back into the golden age of Canadian football with a rugged Edmonton defensive stalwart who anchored the trenches before the Eskimos dynasty took full flight. This 1972 O-Pee-Chee Ron Forwick #98 Edmonton Eskimos card captures the no nonsense attitude of early seventies CFL football, when games were won in the mud and pass rushers played every snap like it was fourth down. For Eskimos collectors, OPC set builders, and fans of vintage defensive linemen, Forwick represents the tough and unheralded foundation that made Edmonton a perennial contender. It is the kind of affordable vintage piece that looks fantastic in a team run, a defensive display, or a classic binder page. Issued during the 1972 season, the O-Pee-Chee CFL set is beloved for its bold team colored borders, simple white frames, and unmistakable early seventies photography. With 132 cards covering all nine CFL clubs plus Pro Action highlights and a checklist, it closely follows the 1972 Topps NFL design yet remains distinctly Canadian in flavor and scarcity. Edmonton cards are instantly recognizable by their deep gold borders and green uniforms, a classic Green and Gold look that pops even after more than five decades. The reverse carries full bilingual English and French text, cartoons, vitals, and a short biography, making every card a pocket history lesson. High grade examples have grown tougher to find centered and clean, especially from Western teams that saw heavy playground handling. Ron Forwick earned his place in that history as a reliable defensive end who did the dirty work against the run while still pressuring quarterbacks. As noted on his card back, he played on the Western All Star team in 1970 and was also selected on the first ballot for the Schenley Awards, a testament to the respect he commanded from coaches and media across the league. At six foot four and a load on the edge, the former Husky brought size, leverage, and motor to an Eskimos front that prided itself on toughness. Teammates counted on him to set the edge, occupy blockers, and free linebackers to make plays. Cards of lunch pail defenders like Forwick rarely get the hobby love they deserve, which makes them satisfying pickups for true CFL historians. Collectors want straight talk on condition and this copy delivers honest vintage appeal for its age. corners show light touches and mild softening most visible at the lower left with the remaining three corners presenting fairly square under the sleeve, edges show only faint rubbing along the gold borders with no major chipping or paper loss visible, and centering appears approximately 55/45 left to right with top to bottom close to 50/50 and a full white frame intact. 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 classic tan stock with blue and green panels. Surface gloss remains pleasing with strong color and no creases, wrinkles, or writing seen in the photos. The conservative raw assessment supports an EX range grade because of minor corner wear and centering rather than any serious flaw. Whether you are rebuilding the 1972 set, honoring Edmonton greats, or shopping for a thoughtful gift for a lifelong Eskimos fan, this Forwick is an easy add. It ships carefully protected, ready for your album, top loader, or graded submission. Add this piece of Green and Gold heritage to your cart and keep the spirit of early seventies CFL football alive. Grade Estimate: EX 5