Dermontti Dawson
Center · Pittsburgh Steelers
1997 Topps Stadium Club #Not visible
Year & Era
1997 — Late 90s Era
Card Type
Base Veteran Card
Grade
Raw — appears Near Mint (PSA 7-8 potential)
Rarity
Common base card from a mass-produced era, high population and readily available.
Overall Assessment
A wonderful tribute card to a legendary Hall of Fame center. While modest in monetary value, it is an essential piece for a dedicated Pittsburgh Steelers or 90s football insert/base collection.
Condition Grade
Raw — appears Near Mint (PSA 7-8 potential)
Centering Assessment
Front appears slightly heavy to the top and right, common for this mid-to-late 90s release.
Surface Condition
Surface shows decent gloss with light handling wear visible under angled light, typical for raw cards of this era.
Corner Condition
Corners appear relatively sharp with minor softening at the tips under closer inspection.
Edge Condition
Edges are clean with minimal chipping or whitening along the borders.
Print Quality
Standard 1997 Stadium Club photography-focused quality with foil stamping, typical gloss finish.
Estimated Value
$1.00 - $5.00 raw; graded specimens typically sell for around $10-$20 depending on the exact grade (PSA 9/10).
Comparison to Known Examples
Centering and edge wear are typical for the print run, falling right into the average range for raw copies.
Authentication Tips
Look for crisp gold foil stamping on the Stadium Club logo and proper card stock thickness; counterfeiting this card is economically unviable.
Grading Recommendation
Not recommended for professional grading unless part of a personal set registry, as grading fees exceed the raw market value.
Red Flags
No significant red flags observed; appears to be a genuine, unaltered card from the era.
Provenance Notes
Originally distributed via Topps Stadium Club wax and hobby packs from 1997.
Historical Context
Dermontti Dawson was a revolutionary offensive lineman, a 7-time Pro Bowler, 6-time First-team All-Pro, and a Pro Football Hall of Famer (Class of 2012) who redefined the center position.
Market Trends
Stable and nostalgic pricing; Hall of Fame player cards maintain steady, modest demand among team collectors.
Investment Potential
Low monetary investment potential due to high print runs, but a strong sentimental and historical hold for Steelers fans.
Similar Cards
1997 Topps, 1997 Pinnacle, 1997 Score Dermontti Dawson base cards.
Display & Preservation
Store in a standard penny sleeve and top loader in a climate-controlled environment away from direct sunlight.
Interesting Facts
Dawson was known for his incredible athleticism, often pulling block effectively like a guard, and was named to the NFL 1990s All-Decade Team.