1954 Bowman #12 Ollie Matson PSA MINT 9

1954 Bowman #12 Ollie Matson PSA 9 — A Near-Mint Gem of an Olympic Hero and NFL Legend

Coming off a stunning debut in professional football and an Olympic medal performance just two years prior, Ollie Matson entered the 1954 season as one of the most electrifying young stars in American sports. A dominant force at the University of San Francisco and a dual medalist at the 1952 Helsinki Olympics, Matson was as dynamic as they came—blending world-class speed, raw strength, and elite field vision. His early years with the Chicago Cardinals proved he was no flash in the pan; Matson was a game-changer with the ball in his hands.

This PSA 9 specimen from the 1954 Bowman release stands as one of the finest known examples, with bold color, crisp detail, and razor-sharp corners. The centering is remarkably balanced, and the surface is notably clean for this issue—attributes that have earned it elite status in the registry. With none graded higher, it remains a top-tier collectible of a Hall of Fame talent whose athletic prowess left a mark in both track and football history.

For collectors of high-grade vintage football, few cards carry the crossover appeal and historical weight of this Matson issue. A rare, early-career card of one of the most versatile athletes ever to wear pads, captured in pristine form.