Game Used NFL Footballs

[B1SON]

Wondering what people can tell me about the scarcity of "game balls" presented to players. I recently picked up a ball that has painted on the front "Game Ball Presented to Steve Nelson" October 19th, 1975 and lists the Patriots score and the Colts score. There is some cracking, but still pretty nice. I heard this happens as the balls lose some air over the years (its 31 years old). Can anyone tell me how many of these are floating around and give me an approximate value. I will not sell it because it is a part of my North Dakota State U collection, but just curious about value since I only paid $80 shipped for it.

Thanks,

Joe

[DrJ]

I used to own about a dozen from various players. I paid between $50 and $125 and sold them in about the same price range. Hope that gives you some indication of the value. Look on Ebay, you can usually find a few.

[David]

Game balls like yours are scarce from all years, but Pre-1980 ones are a lot rarer than modern ones. I'm sure yours is worth more than you paid.

You'll see game used team trophy balls from turn of the 20th century games, ala U of Chicago Versus U of Illinois.

[kjjavic]

I have a large Eagles game ball collection, and in my opinion they are fairly hard to come across. I think at the most, there are 3 game balls given out per game. Typically an Offensive player of the game, Defensive Player of the Game, and Special Teams player of the game. At least this is what Dick Vermeil and some other Eagles coaches did. I guess it is possible for other teams to have only given out 1 ball per game.

In general I would say a game ball shows up on ebay once every 1-2 months.

I think value varies by team. You would have a hard time finding an Eagles ball for less than 150 for a common player, but other teams (like the Lions) would be a fair amt cheaper.

I think your ball is worth a lot more than you paid. I would say in the $200 area.

[aeneas01]

imho i think "autographed game balls" are extremely easy to forge and, as such, the value of true originals suffer. yet having said that, there will always be (imo) someone new to the hobby that will pay top price for such an item not knowing (or not caring) that there are scammers out there....

[Eric]

But he's talking about the painted team balls. No one's going to take the time to forge them. Here are some from my collection















Eric

[kjjavic]

Beautiful trophy balls Eric, I especially like the blue painted winslow ball.

Here is photo of my game ball display

[mvandor]

But he's talking about the painted team balls. No one's going to take the time to forge them. Here are some from my collection















Eric

Geez, what'd you do burg Winslow's house? Or was he so hard up for cash he started dumping his personal memorabilia?

[Eric]

Winslow used to have a store called something like Wear 2 Win. Guy I bought it from had some nice pieces from there...

Eric

[B1SON]

Thanks Eric. You are 100% correct about what I was talking about. My Steve Nelson has about as much cracking as your Natron Means, but like I said I am not ever selling it anyway. Thanks for the help guys.