Detroit Lions 1971 jersey

[slats7]

http://www.lelands.com/Auction/AuctionDetail/71293/Spring-2013-Catalog-Auction/Sports/Football/Lot871~1971-Detroit-Lions-Jersey-with-Black-Armband

1) Armband is much more ragged than the real thing (see Greg Landry pic)
2) Number fonts appears to be wrong ("3" especially)
3) 1971 jerseys didn't have grey trim around the numbers

http://www.lelands.com/Zip/Image?path=/public/auctionimages/0/71/71293/xl_71293-1_635055970038275177.jpg

http://www.lelands.com/Zip/Image?path=/public/auctionimages/0/71/71293/xl_71293-2_635055970044359188.jpg

http://img706.imageshack.us/img706/2208/kgrhqrpqfgmwjofibqmwfh2.jpg

http://img46.imageshack.us/img46/8583/5782448.jpg

[cohibasmoker]

Is the Wilson tag correct for 1971? I think that tag dates the jersey from 1974-1977. Did the Lions wear black armbands in 1974?

Jim

[slats7]

Is the Wilson tag correct for 1971? I think that tag dates the jersey from 1974-1977. Did the Lions wear black armbands in 1974?

Jim

Indeed they did, in honor of a fallen head coach Donald McCafferty. I guess Leland's just got the year wrong.

http://cache1.asset-cache.net/gc/80333209-defensive-tackle-herb-orvis-of-the-detroit-gettyimages.jpg?v=1&c=IWSAsset&k=2&d=GkZZ8bf5zL1ZiijUmxa7QSsOA1FjHHP2S6fXLNk9obWjikaS w5e6eZc%2fcG3GdOvJ8TY5bG15%2ben5dueFIFpiaA%3d%3d

[G1X]

This jersey was last worn in a game during the 1974 season. The trim on the numbers first appeared during the 1972 season. The armband is correct for 1974. For a lack of a better description, the armbands on the 1974 jerseys look similar to a piece of crepe curtain fabric that does not sit evenly on the jersey. I have only seen one from 1971 with an armband intact (currently in my personal collection), and it is a much "smoother" material.

Not trying to hype this jersey as it is not mine and never has been, but finding one of these with the armband still intact is very difficult as the armbands were removed from many of the jerseys. I purchased nearly 100 durene jerseys from the Lions as part of a bulk buy years ago, and less than 5 had the armband still intact. On some of the jerseys, you could see black fading where the armband had been removed from the jerseys.

I have seen this Zofko jersey several times and can attest that it is battered and beaten with great game use. Mickey Zofko, who played college ball at Auburn, was with the Lions from 1971 through the early part of 1974. Based on the use I saw on the jersey, I assumed that it was recycled over several seasons before having the armband added for the 1974 season.

If I didn't already have a closet full of Lions durene jerseys, I would not hesitate to place a bid.

Mark Hayne
Gridiron Exchange
gixc at Verizon dot net

[misteremu]

Mark,

Can you add me to your inventory distribution list? My email changed.

misteremu@wowway.com

Thanks,

Eric

[G1X]

Hi Eric,

Will do! Thanks for asking.

Mark Hayne
Gridiron Exchange
gixc@verizon.net

Always looking for World Football League (1974 & 1975) game used items

[beaglegypsy003]

If you ever run across any jerseys of former University of Hawaii players like Tom Tuinei, Falaniko Noga, John Woodcock and DeWayne Jett, let me know. Can be reached at beaglegypsy003@aol.com