There is a decades-old tradition of issuing cards in publications. For example, here is a Ruth from 1936:
It really depends on intent. I collect boxing and other sports and there are plenty of those cards, like the card widely considered to be Muhammad Ali's earliest cards from the 1960 Hemmets and 1962 Rekord publications from Sweden. PSA, SGC and BVG all will slab them. For example, on what I would say is the "absolutely, these are cards" side are the 1983-84 Fight Beat Magazine issued boxing cards. They were the inside back cover of the magazine:
The front cover of the first issue even says "boxing cards inside". Clearly issued as cards and intended to be cut out and collected.