O.J. Simpson Game-Worn NFL Buffalo Bills Jersey: Photomatch Quest & Information Thread

[RKO18]

Hi everyone.

I recently acquired an O.J. Simpson Game-Worn Buffalo Bills jersey and I am about to embark upon my quest to do the impossible - and attempt to photomatch it. My experience with Game-Worn collecting has been primarily in the area of modern NFL memorabilia, so I'm reaching out to the Game-Worn community in the hope that some of my fellow collectors may be more experienced in the area of Vintage 1970's NFL jerseys.

The jersey I bought was once sold on American Memorabilia for $5,008 on June 15th, 2006.

http://i1169.photobucket.com/albums/r504/gameworncollector/mine4.jpg

1973-74 O.J. Simpson Game-Worn Jersey (http://www.americanmemorabilia.com/Auction_Item.asp?Auction_ID=29909&qf=people&q=Lou+Lampson&offset=50&s=AuctionEnd+DESC%2C+Featured+DESC%2C+RandNo+ASC&p=0&t=Closed)

I have been doing the best job I can in my attempts to both style-match and photo-match the jersey. I believe that I have been successful in at least obtaining a style-match, but the task of photo-matching a Game-Worn jersey from the early/mid 1970's is likely to prove to be a much more difficult one.

The jersey came with authentication paperwork signed by Lou Lampson and Bob Case.

[Lampson concluded "This is one of the best Simpson gamers ever available."]

I have been told that Bob Case has vintage O.J. Simpson Game-Worn memorabilia in his personal collection, so it is my hope that he may have had at least some insight when looking over the jersey.

I will continue to add to this thread and update it with pictures of my jersey, other Simpson jerseys that have claimed to have been "Game-Worn" and photos I have found to help me with this project.

Any advice here on the boards is more than welcome.

I can be contacted here in the thread or at gameworncollector@yahoo.com if anyone has any questions, comments or information that can help me in this quest.

Thank you!

[RKO18]

Pictures of my jersey:

http://i1169.photobucket.com/albums/r504/gameworncollector/mine5.jpg

http://i1169.photobucket.com/albums/r504/gameworncollector/mine1.jpg

http://i1169.photobucket.com/albums/r504/gameworncollector/mine2.jpg

http://i1169.photobucket.com/albums/r504/gameworncollector/mine3.jpg

[RKO18]

Dating the jersey and finding a style-match:

The jersey was auctioned off through American Memorabilia and described in 100% Authentic's paperwork as coming from "1973-74".

In 1973, O.J. won the NFL's league MVP award and broke Jim Brown's single-season rushing record on his way to totaling an astronomical 2,003 yards in a 14-game season. His average of 143.1 rushing yards per game still stands as the best in NFL history.

There are pictures on the internet as well as game footage from 1973 to use as a source of comparson, and I'm not entirely certain that this jersey was worn during the 1973 season. The nameplate letters were wider in all of the images I've seen from the 1973 season. The sleeve length also appears to be a little bit longer in images I've seen from the 1973 season. That is not to say that my jersey couldn't have been worn in 1973, I just haven't been able to find any photos or film-images to help style-match the jersey to making it a possibility from that season.

1974 is an entirely different story.

Below are pictures of O.J. from the 1974 season, and I have compared those images to those of my jersey below:


http://i1169.photobucket.com/albums/r504/gameworncollector/compare2.jpg


http://i1169.photobucket.com/albums/r504/gameworncollector/compare1.jpg

Both the nameplate style and the length of the sleeves appear to at least be a style-match in the second game photo above. From what little game-footage I have been able to find from 1974, the nameplate also appears to match my jersey.

1974 Week-5 Bills @ Colts (2:27) (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y6XjOEp9WSA)

1974 Week-6 Bills @ Patriots (2:29) (http://www.hulu.com/watch/205543/game-of-the-week-new-england-patriots-at-buffalo-bills-week-6-1974)

[Dewey2007]

Here's one resource you can possibly try in helping photomatch the jersey. NFL films sells "Team Highlight" tapes from past years. I think they are $50 each. I'm sure there will plenty of shots of OJ on the year in question.

http://www.nflfilms.com/specialorders/index.html

I'd also try Ihaveplanet.com. It's a sports video trading site. I took a look and two traders have video of the first and last away games of the 1973 season. If you don't have any sports videos to trade I found some guys were willing to trade for blank dvd's or sell as well.

http://www.ihaveplanet.com/Trading/TradingBoard.aspx?Board=29

Good luck!

[Jags Fan Dan]

Here's what I saw on I have planet:

DateAway TeamHome TeamScoreDetailsHas
All</SPAN>Wants
All</SPAN> Sep 16, 1973 Buffalo New England 31-13 Details (http://www.ihaveplanet.com/Sport/Game.aspx?Game=3599) 2 (http://www.ihaveplanet.com/Trading/TradingBoard.aspx?Board=29&Item=3599) I Have 1 (http://www.ihaveplanet.com/Trading/TradingBoard.aspx?Board=29&Item=3599) </SPAN>I Want </SPAN> Oct 7, 1973 Philadelphia Buffalo 26-27 Details (http://www.ihaveplanet.com/Sport/Game.aspx?Game=3644) 2 (http://www.ihaveplanet.com/Trading/TradingBoard.aspx?Board=29&Item=3644) I Have 1 (http://www.ihaveplanet.com/Trading/TradingBoard.aspx?Board=29&Item=3644) </SPAN>I Want </SPAN> Dec 16, 1973 Buffalo NY Jets 34-14 Details (http://www.ihaveplanet.com/Sport/Game.aspx?Game=3768) 4 (http://www.ihaveplanet.com/Trading/TradingBoard.aspx?Board=29&Item=3768) I Have 3 (http://www.ihaveplanet.com/Trading/TradingBoard.aspx?Board=29&Item=3768) </SPAN>I Want </SPAN>

These are games people have on video.

[sox83cubs84]

By no means am I a top-level photo-matcher, but the color OJ photo (front) shows a differentpositioning of the sleeve numbers than the B&W photo (back), which looks to be spot-on.

Dave Miedema

[Dewey2007]

Traders on Ihaveplanet.com also have video of 1974 away games on the following dates: 11/3 @ NE, 11/17 @ Miami, & 12/22 @ Pitt (playoff game)

[solarlottry]

I know Bob Case and from what know of him and from what I have seen with regards to his USC collection, it is second to none. I have seen his house and office and it is full to the top with USC game used memorabilia.

I have also purchased three very high end 49er game worn jerseys that either came directly from him or that were once part of his collection, and could not be happier.

He is well known in the sports world and a respected businessman. I highly doubt he would knowingly sell a non-authentic OJ shirt. In fact, if you browse through old Grey Flannel catalogs you will see a number of USC game worn items that he consigned.

If you have any other questions please feel free to email me at: garciajones@yahoo.com

Paul

Always buying 49ers gamers and ALL 1994 49er GU items!

[RKO18]

Thank you to both Dewey2007 and Jags Fan Dan for your help and research!

[RKO18]

By no means am I a top-level photo-matcher, but the color OJ photo (front) shows a differentpositioning of the sleeve numbers than the B&W photo (back), which looks to be spot-on.

Dave Miedema

Thank you Dave.

The sleeve length and number positions on the sleeves do appear to match.

I found another image from the 12/22/74 game @ Pittsburgh (O.J.'s only career NFL playoff fame) and the sleeve-length, position of the sleeve numbers and nameplate all appear to possibly match.

http://i1169.photobucket.com/albums/r504/gameworncollector/pic4.jpg

[RKO18]

I know Bob Case and from what know of him and from what I have seen with regards to his USC collection, it is second to none. I have seen his house and office and it is full to the top with USC game used memorabilia.

I have also purchased three very high end 49er game worn jerseys that either came directly from him or that were once part of his collection, and could not be happier.

He is well known in the sports world and a respected businessman. I highly doubt he would knowingly sell a non-authentic OJ shirt. In fact, if you browse through old Grey Flannel catalogs you will see a number of USC game worn items that he consigned.

If you have any other questions please feel free to email me at: garciajones@yahoo.com

Paul

Always buying 49ers gamers and ALL 1994 49er GU items!

Thank you for your imput Paul. :)

That was exactly my hope, that someone like Bob Case who is familiar with O.J. Game-Worn memorabilia might be well-qualified to add his signature to 100% Authentic's letter of opinion on my jersey.

On a side-note, I found this image of an O.J. Simpson Game-Worn Trojans jersey:

http://i1169.photobucket.com/albums/r504/gameworncollector/other1.jpg

O.J. Simpson Game-Worn USC Jersey article (http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/sports_blog/2008/10/take-down-oj-si.html)

[RKO18]

Examples of other O.J. Simpson jerseys said to be "Game-Worn":

I have yet to see a true "photomatched" O.J. Simpson Game-Worn jersey, but I have found examples of jerseys said to be "Game-Worn" to use as a source of comparison.

[Disclaimer: I do not mean to call into question and/or disrespect any jersey claimed to have been "Game-Worn". I am not making any accusations, but rather, have some questions that I hope my fellow collectors can answer better than I can. I hope that none of the following violates any board-policies as that is not at all my intention.]

The first is a jersey that sold for $2,531 on American Memorabilia on February 5th, 2009.

http://i1169.photobucket.com/albums/r504/gameworncollector/other2.jpg

http://i1169.photobucket.com/albums/r504/gameworncollector/other3.jpg

http://i1169.photobucket.com/albums/r504/gameworncollector/other4.jpg

Mid '70s O.J. Simpson Game-Worn Bills Jersey (w/Provenance) (http://www.americanmemorabilia.com/Auction_Item.asp?Auction_ID=47000&t=Closed&p=0&q=oj+simpson+jersey)

The only thing that I question about the jersey is the lack of a true nameplate. Was this common-place for the Buffalo Bills jerseys during that era?

Also, the jersey above looks similar too (though it is not the same as) a jersey currently listed on eBay as a "NON-GAME-USED SIZE LARGE ( REPLICA ) BUFFALO BILLS BLUE OJ SIMPSON JERSEY MADE BY' CHAMPION PRODUCTS INC.'"

Compare for yourself.

http://i1169.photobucket.com/albums/r504/gameworncollector/other5.jpg

http://i1169.photobucket.com/albums/r504/gameworncollector/other6.jpg

OJ SIMPSON JERSEY THROWBACK REPLICA (on eBay) (http://www.ebay.com/itm/OJ-SIMPSON-JERSEY-THROWBACK-REPLICA-SUPER-RARE-L-K-/110885396666?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item19d148e0ba)

Is there a chance that the jersey posted above from American Memorabilia may have been a retail/replica/etc. or is there a chance that the jersey on eBay may be more than the "replica" jersey it's claimed to be?

Both jerseys lack a true nameplate, and I found an image of O.J. with Archie Manning where you can clearly see that there was a true nameplate on his jersey.

http://i1169.photobucket.com/albums/r504/gameworncollector/pic9.jpg

I have found links to other jerseys similar (not sure if any of them are the same) to the one's posted above.

1973 O.J. Simpson Game-Worn Jersey from Heritage Auctions (http://sports.ha.com/c/item.zx?saleNo=702&lotNo=19444)

1973 O.J. Simpson Buffalo Bills Game-Used Jersey from GFC (http://www.milehighcardco.com/LotDetail.aspx?lotid=21793&searchby=3&searchvalue=used)

All of the jerseys posted/linked above share a similar sleeve-style to my jersey and all of them appear to share a similar "L" Champion tag to my jersey.

My jersey has an actual nameplate, 3 repairs and is an "Away" jersey; so my question is, are the jerseys posted above likely to be legit and do any of the similarities in tagging have any connection to my jersey?

Unlike the Reebok era of modern NFL gamers, I have no idea what was produced for the public and for the team by Champion in the 1970's. Were there any similarities between true Game-Worn jerseys and others that were either retail and/or leaked out to the public?

[slats7]

http://img687.imageshack.us/img687/8471/7a8da6eb49584d78a62b42b.jpg

[beantown]

Have you found any pictures of O.J. wearing the overlapping v-neck collar that appears on your jersey?

[RKO18]

Have you found any pictures of O.J. wearing the overlapping v-neck collar that appears on your jersey?

That's a good idea.

I'm having a tough time finding good enough photos, but the one below looks as though it may be a v-neck style.

http://i1169.photobucket.com/albums/r504/gameworncollector/pic10.jpg

Can anyone else find a better image?

[RKO18]

Photo from 12/15/74 @ the Los Angeles Rams:

http://i1169.photobucket.com/albums/r504/gameworncollector/pic11.jpg

Position of the shoulder numbers also appear to match my jersey.

[RKO18]

Possible games used in:

From what I have managed to find so far, the high position of the numbers on the sleeves seems to be less common than the lower positioning. I could be mistaken of course as I have not been able to find a great deal of 1974 photos, but this is what I have come up with so far.

Photos from 12/15/74 @ the Los Angeles Rams:

http://i1169.photobucket.com/albums/r504/gameworncollector/compare1.jpg

http://i1169.photobucket.com/albums/r504/gameworncollector/pic11.jpg

Photos from 12/22/74 @ the Pittsburgh Steelers:

http://i1169.photobucket.com/albums/r504/gameworncollector/pic4.jpg

http://i1169.photobucket.com/albums/r504/gameworncollector/pic7.jpg

The two games above were the final two that O.J. played during the 1974 season.

[RKO18]

I've also been looking for additional nameplate photos from the 1974 season and found this picture of Joe Ferguson from 12/8/74 to compare to the nameplate on my Simpson jersey.

http://i1169.photobucket.com/albums/r504/gameworncollector/compare3.jpg

[BrianK]

I was thinking those blue home jerseys can't possibly be gamers, but then I found this. Alvin Wyatt played for the Bills in '71 and '72.
http://www.fandemoneumsports.org/photo-exhibits/buffalo-bills-50th-anniversary-exhibit

[RKO18]

I've been continuing to do more research.

I found a still shot from a video interview O.J. had with Michael Jordan back in 1988. The video showed some highlights from O.J.'s playing career and I felt that the image below displayed a similar nameplate to the one on my jersey.

However, I think the sleeve design might date the image below to 1975 or later.

Michael Jordan Interviews O.J. Simpson in 1988 (6:52) (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jMRDQeGsHUU)


http://i1169.photobucket.com/albums/r504/gameworncollector/pic17.jpg

[RKO18]

I was thinking those blue home jerseys can't possibly be gamers, but then I found this. Alvin Wyatt played for the Bills in '71 and '72.

Interesting images!

Does it look like there is an actual nameplate on the O.J. jersey from the pics?

The #16 jersey looks very similar in style to my O.J. jersey.

-Sleeve design.
-Placement of sleeve numbers.

Are all the jerseys in the pics you posted Game-Worn?

[BrianK]

Interesting images!

Does it look like there is an actual nameplate on the O.J. jersey from the pics?

The #16 jersey looks very similar in style to my O.J. jersey.

-Sleeve design.
-Placement of sleeve numbers.

Are all the jerseys in the pics you posted Game-Worn?
Sorry, I don't have any details. You might try the contact info in the web link.

Love your jersey.