1955 Topps All-American #78 Jay Berwanger
Won the first Heisman Trophy and was the first pick in NFL draft history, but chose not to turn pro.
About Jay Berwanger
Jay Berwanger of the University of Chicago won the very first Heisman Trophy, taking the 1935 Downtown Athletic Club Trophy that was later renamed for John Heisman. A genuine one-man team at halfback, he ran, passed, punted, returned kicks, and played defense for the Maroons from 1933 to 1935, scoring 22 touchdowns in 24 games while wearing the faceguard that earned him the nickname 'The Man in the Iron Mask.' In 1935 he was a unanimous All-American and won the Chicago Tribune Silver Football as the Big Ten's most valuable player. The Philadelphia Eagles then made him the first player ever selected in the NFL draft and traded his rights to the Bears, but he and George Halas never agreed on salary, so Berwanger chose business instead, eventually founding his own plastics manufacturing company. Along the way he had been tackled by a future president, Gerald Ford, in the 1934 Michigan game. He entered the College Football Hall of Fame in 1954.
Sources: Wikipedia · College Football Hall of Fame · Heisman Trust · Football reference
Graded population (PSA & SGC)
| Grader | Total | 10 | 9 | 8 | 7 | 6 | 5 | 1-4 | Auth |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| PSA | 480 | 0 | 10 | 106 | 127 | 98 | 70 | 69 | 0 |
| SGC | 92 | 0 | 1 | 13 | 18 | 10 | 24 | 26 | 0 |
Graded population — a scarcity guide, not a price. Snapshot 2026-08-23. Half grades fold down for both graders (8.5→8); PSA qualified slabs (OC, ST, PD, MC and the like) are not counted. Uncataloged wrong-back slabs are excluded.
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Frequently asked questions
What is the 1955 Topps All-American Jay Berwanger card?
It is card #78 of the 100-card 1955 Topps All-American Football set. It features Jay Berwanger and Chicago in Topps's college-football tribute issue.
Is 1955 Topps All-American #78 Jay Berwanger a rookie card?
Yes. The checklist marks #78 Jay Berwanger as a rookie card.
Is Jay Berwanger in the College Football Hall of Fame?
Yes. Jay Berwanger is represented among the set's College Football Hall of Fame subjects.
Did Jay Berwanger win the Heisman Trophy?
Yes. Jay Berwanger won the Heisman Trophy in 1935. Eleven Heisman winners appear in the set.
How many cards are in the 1955 Topps All-American Football set?
The public checklist has 100 numbered cards. The optional 102-item Master adds the second cataloged biography-back state for #14 Gaynell Tinsley and #21 Byron R. White. Alleged short prints are not encoded.
Sources: PSA Basic Registry, PSA Master Registry, Trading Card Database, Vintage Football Card Gallery, and Cardboard Connection, PSA & SGC population reports. Card data compiled and maintained by T206Cards.com. Page last updated 2026-10-25.
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