Vintage Game Used Football Question
For those more familiar with collecting older game used footballs, do you know, in general, how many footballs were used per-game?
These days, each offense has their own ball to use.
In the 1970's, would a "game ball" have been used by both two teams' offensive units?
Re: Vintage Game Used Football Question
Quote:
Originally Posted by
RKO18
For those more familiar with collecting older game used footballs, do you know, in general, how many footballs were used per-game?
These days, each offense has their own ball to use.
In the 1970's, would a "game ball" have been used by both two teams' offensive units?
I can't give excat numbers, but back in the 1960s and some of tthe 70's, there were no end zone nets to keep FGs and PATs out of the end zone stands. Heck, In Chicago in the 1960s. one of the end zones was by the left field bleachers. PATs and FGs often were kicked onto Waveland Avenue, and there was a group of Ballhawks even back then who tried to catch and retrieve them. I also know via gretting one that, at least in Chicago, USFL games had no end zone nets for scoring kicks, neither.
Dave Miedema
Re: Vintage Game Used Football Question
Quote:
Originally Posted by
sox83cubs84
I can't give excat numbers, but back in the 1960s and some of tthe 70's, there were no end zone nets to keep FGs and PATs out of the end zone stands. Heck, In Chicago in the 1960s. one of the end zones was by the left field bleachers. PATs and FGs often were kicked onto Waveland Avenue, and there was a group of Ballhawks even back then who tried to catch and retrieve them. I also know via gretting one that, at least in Chicago, USFL games had no end zone nets for scoring kicks, neither.
Dave Miedema
Very true. I also know that several stadiums would send ushers or security to try and get the footballs back from the crowd! It varied depending on the stadium/team.
Re: Vintage Game Used Football Question
Thanks for the feedback.
This is the football I'm curious about:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/LA-RAMS-Divi...item43cfebda2c
It was used during the Rams/Vikings divisional playoff game in 1978.
It's a Rams awarded game ball, but do you feel that the Vikings offense used this ball as well?
Re: Vintage Game Used Football Question
Bump for this old thread.
Still curious, does anyone know if this "game ball" from the Rams would have been used by the Vikings on offense?
Re: Vintage Game Used Football Question
Presuming the ball was used in the game and not just for presentation, then it is likely (though not guaranteed) that it was used for both offenses' respective possessions. Teams using their own balls started as far as I know in the mid-2000's after too many teams complained of the home team doctoring balls.
Re: Vintage Game Used Football Question
I will say though, that ball has the words "game ball" in quotes, with no specific player achievement other than "big game". Speaking personally, I wouldn't count on the ball actually having come straight off the field from that game...not saying it isn't a legit team presentation ball, but for me, I'd need more evidence that it was used in that game.
Re: Vintage Game Used Football Question
I can only give you examples from my collection.
Generally any ball with a specific event is usually tied to that event, I was told per Cook this was THE ball,
http://i58.tinypic.com/fmuzvd.jpg
In any game, a team can provide the entire team a "Gameball", so at times and as is the case with several Jamal Lewis' balls I have they never saw a brush, let alone the field.
http://i58.tinypic.com/wuj9qc.jpg
I've heard some cheaper teams, or when limited players get a ball this is not the case. My oldest (1984) was clearly a gamer.
http://i60.tinypic.com/2myniq8.jpg
No expert here, but I would say that ball is not used. Any actual game ball was more than likely reserved for elite players. They also would not have had that many to go around.
Re: Vintage Game Used Football Question
One final point on this, bought this a while ago and found it spring cleaning
http://i57.tinypic.com/alqdzo.jpg
Safe to assume if Little would get one, every team member would have. He never registered a regular season carry in his two years in the league. All players though contribue to a team, so it's justifiable that each player be awarded a ball.
http://www.nfl.com/player/rafaellitt...gs?season=2008
They prolly make one the best looking display pieces but I wouldn't buy one expected it to be game used.