Late 1980's Nike Football tagging questions

[perlman9]

I just received two jerseys signed "game worn" directly from a former Spartan. One is a late 1980s (probably 1989) jersey that was made by Nike. Does anyone have a photo of the tagging from a Nike jersey around that time? He wasn't a big name player and didn't start so don't know if it would be a retail jersey, but there is a tag in the neck and I saw where Nike hockey jerseys had neck tags but have never see one for a football jersey but maybe some did? Thanks for any help!

Jason

[Samets]

Sure!

1998:

[Samets]

1999:

[Samets]

Sorry, I had a dyslexic moment... I thought I read 1998...

[perlman9]

Nope, you were right, I mistyped. Was 1998. Did all jerseys have the white sewn bar with size, year across the top?

[perlman9]

my Nike tag on tail looks same except mine has a 52 tag sewn in and an actual nike neck tag with size 52 xxl eeg made in usa

[sox83cubs84]

The year/size collar strip tag was common on most Nike NFL jersey in those two years, as well.

Dave Miedema

[Samets]

my Nike tag on tail looks same except mine has a 52 tag sewn in and an actual nike neck tag with size 52 xxl eeg made in usa

Post a picture please...

[perlman9]

Here are the photos. I know the other jersey he sent was definitely a game used jersey but just never saw tagging like this.
http://i272.photobucket.com/albums/jj162/perlman9/steelerstag1_zpsc4bc362e.jpg

http://i272.photobucket.com/albums/jj162/perlman9/steelerstag2_zps237648b1.jpg

[Samets]

It's a Nike Pro-Line Authentic jersey and not team issued.

[perlman9]

crap, he even signed it game worn, not sure how to handle it. Thanks for the info!

[Samets]

Just for kicks, I found a photo of the Nike Pro-Line Authentic with the original tags still attached:

[perlman9]

Thanks! I just need to figure out how to approach it with him!

[EndzoneSports]

Generally speaking, when dealing with 'modern' jerseys of the past 20-25 years or so, non-standard sizing can be a dead giveaway in distinguishing a (NFL) Authentics (note capital 'A') jersey from a true gamer.

At about the same time that the NFL's licensees began heavily marketing the Authentics jerseys to fans, NFL players began the current trend of sizing/wearing their uniform jerseys in a skin-tight manner (in recognition of the fact that a loose jersey gave an opposing player an easy hand-hold). Since that time, it is relatively uncommon (though not unheard of) for a true game jersey to be found in a size much beyond the 48-50 range.

The NFL Authentics jerseys, however, were never intended for on-field wear by athletically built NFL players, but rather as comfortable casual wear by, shall we say, the typically more portly built couch-potato fan. As such, when jerseys from this period are found in sizes such as 52, 54, 56, etc., these are most always of the NFL Authentics variety.