Early 70's Rozelle Football

[RaiderNationPDX]

Fairly new to the hobby (focusing chiefly on NFL footballs); just picked this early 70's Pete Rozelle football restored by Hammer Sports Relics. As has been discussed in a previous thread, great work and a nice guy. Steve didn't know much about the ball except that it came from New Jersey, and I'm hoping someone here can help.

The ball is striped; I know from perusing Getty that the NFL did stripe balls for night games during that era. In addition - drawing off what jdr3 posted in a previous thread from Nov. 2009 - the production code is GG, indicating (?) a ball produced as an NFL game ball (same letter on either side versus a year/month code). Since I believe "G" indicates a year ending in "4," would this logically be a 1974 game ball? Even if this is the case, I'm sure it'd be next to impossible to narrow it down to a specific team or game, but I'm curious if there're any suggestions as to how I might do this.

I'd appreciate any help in confirming/debunking/reorienting my line of reasoning here.

[jdr3]

Re: Early 70's Rozelle Football

It is a gamer from the 1974 season. There would have been no identifiers for what city or game it was used by Wilson.

[NEFAN]

Re: Early 70's Rozelle Football

I have a couple old balls I'd like to get worked on. Will it affect the value at all?

[RaiderNationPDX]

Re: Early 70's Rozelle Football

That was certainly what I was hoping, thanks!

It is a gamer from the 1974 season. There would have been no identifiers for what city or game it was used by Wilson.

[NEFAN]

Re: Early 70's Rozelle Football

I have the same ball but with a D D code. Any ideas as to it's year?

[cohibasmoker]

Re: Early 70's Rozelle Football

I have the same ball but with a D D code. Any ideas as to it's year?

I believe that would be 1971.

[slats7]

Re: Early 70's Rozelle Football

I believe that would be 1971.

IIRC, there were no stripes on the ball in 1971.

[cohibasmoker]

Re: Early 70's Rozelle Football

IIRC, there were no stripes on the ball in 1971.

Humn,

-Here's one "dated" scan

http://www.gettyimages.com/detail/84261168/Getty-Images-Sport

-If the 1st scan isn't conclusive, Lance Alworth played just two (2) seasons for the Cowboys, 1971 and 1972.

http://www.gettyimages.com/detail/78184609/Getty-Images-Sport

Jim

[jdr3]

Re: Early 70's Rozelle Football

The double letter C represented 1970, so the codes would progress as such:

DD= 1971
EE= 1972
FF= 1973
GG= 1974
HH= 1975
II= 1976
JJ= 1977

[slats7]

Re: Early 70's Rozelle Football

Humn,

-Here's one "dated" scan

http://www.gettyimages.com/detail/84261168/Getty-Images-Sport

-If the 1st scan isn't conclusive, Lance Alworth played just two (2) seasons for the Cowboys, 1971 and 1972.

http://www.gettyimages.com/detail/78184609/Getty-Images-Sport

Jim

The second pic is from the 1972 NFC Championship Game at RFK, and the ball had stripes that year.

[RaiderNationPDX]

Re: Early 70's Rozelle Football

The double letter C represented 1970, so the codes would progress as such:

DD= 1971
EE= 1972
FF= 1973
GG= 1974
HH= 1975
II= 1976
JJ= 1977

Anyone know which season Wilson and the NFL transitioned to the year/month coding for game balls too? I have a Rozelle ball w/ large NFL logo that dates to 1984 (GV); allegedly a practice-used ball. Bought it strictly because it was a nice ball, but would interested to see if the coding makes the "practice ball" story unlikely. My understanding is that teams generally convert old game balls to practice use.

[miracleonice80]

Re: Early 70's Rozelle Football

Hi...I have 2 1970's Wilson football for the NFL.....white striped with the smaller NFL shield with H-H and E-E codes on them......so, 1975 and 1972? Thanks for the posts.....learned a lot about the footballs I have.....never knew of the codes.

[miracleonice80]

Re: Early 70's Rozelle Football

When was the last year the NFL used striped footballs in games? I just saw a larger NFL font(1976 and after), and it had stripes on it. Ever game used? Thanks....Tony

[miracleonice80]

Re: Early 70's Rozelle Football

Also, with the larger NFL font(1976-present) and stripes, it has an "A" and an "R" on the ball too.....anyone have any input on what year? And if it was used in a game.....thanks! Tony

[CollectGU]

Re: Early 70's Rozelle Football

I am interested in date codes on the balls from the 80's, can anyone shed light into how they worked post 70's?

thanks in advance for any help.

dave