Vintage Game Used Football Question

[commando]

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.

[RKO18]

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?

[RKO18]

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?

[RaiderNationPDX]

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.

[RaiderNationPDX]

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.