Need help - 2 jerseys, same obscure player, major differences

[gatorcollector]

OK this is weird. An offensive lineman from UF named Tony Rowell was drafted in the 6th round of the 1992 draft by the Raiders. As far as I can tell, he didn't make the team because he does not appear on their all-time roster on their website.

Now all of a sudden there are two Tony Rowell game used Raiders jerseys on Ebay. One is being offered by Ball Park Heroes, the other buy "ozzypie". And get this - they were posted within 21 minutes of each other!
Here are the two links:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...MEWA:IT&ih=004

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...MEWA:IT&ih=012

There are significant differences between the two jerseys. One is Sand Knit, the other is Wilson. One is a size 54, the other is a 50. One has the NFL logo in the collar, one does not. One has a cowl, one does not.

Let me make one thing clear - I am not saying there's any funny business going on here. First, I just wanted to point out what an amazing coincidence it is that there are two of Rowell's jerseys on Ebay at the same time. Second, I need your opinions as to why two jerseys with such significant differences would have been issued to the same player in the same pre-season.

[jppopma]

Chances are that he tried out with the team more than one year. There are quite a few guys who will try, try, try again to make the team. He may have had some playing time in pre-season games in each season and then cut before the season started.

Still odd that they would both be listed so close to eachother. That should limit the bidding on each, if there was much interest to begin with.

[gatorcollector]

Did a little more research... Found out Rowell was placed on injured reserve 8/26/1992. He went to camp in 93 and 94 with the Dolphins. I thought maybe he had gone to camp with the Raiders more than one year, but apparently that's not the case.

Is it possible one is a practice jersey and one is a gamer?

[Made in Motown]

Many things are wrong with the SandKnit jersey. MacGregor went bankrupt in 1990, which would be the last year they made jerseys. I am pretty sure the Raiders switched from MacGregor to Wilson for the 1991 season. Rowell you say was drafted in '92. Even assuming this is a different "Rowell", the jersey itself is wrong. Raiders SandKnit jerseys were all mesh - mesh shoulders, mesh nameplate, etc. and this jersey has satin looking shoulders. I can't post pictures, but do a quick check for Bo Jackson and you will see what I am talking about.

[Made in Motown]

[BPH32]

This is our listing. Maybe you could check out www.gettyimages.com L.A. Raiders pictures from 1989: 51253445,51253442,56248246 and 51253444 which appear to show pictures of jerseys like the Rowell I have listed. I believe this is a jersey from that era recycled for later use. I can't say for sure when it was used but it is a legitimate jersey and does show some use including a couple of small hit marks and some wash wear. So I don't believe the jersey is "Just wrong" and since Rowell was there Am I missing something ? Won't be the first time and if so I am willing to listen.
Thanks, Kim

[Made in Motown]

I am not an expert by any stretch, I just have never seen a SandKnit Raiders jersey that was not all mesh. Unless the photo is of a really close shot, it is really hard to tell the difference (two layers of black mesh look like solid black. Here are some close up examples:





Link to another jersey from a collector - http://lionsfan71.tripod.com/other_teams/id145.html

All of these are from '89 and they all have mesh shoulders. The other photos appear too far away to tell, or don't have good enough lighting. In the short time I have been collecting I have learned that there are always quirks/exceptions w/ NFL jerseys, so this may be one. Hopefully a Raiders collector or someone with more knowledge on the subject can chime in.

[BPH32]

You can zoom in on/enlarge the photos I mentioned and if you do you will see that the jerseys, I believe, are like the Rowell. Also the players pictured are linemen like Rowell.

[Made in Motown]

I still think those jerseys you pointed out are mesh, it's the lighting that makes it difficult to tell. Check out these two photos from the same photoshoot of Howie wearing the same jersey.

Clearly Mesh



Jersey does not look mesh.


I also appologize for saying your jersey is wrong. It may be a jersey from '90 used in '92 and some of the jerseys may have had a satin looking material for the shoulders, both are plausible explenations. I am just saying that I have never seen one, and the getty photos are inconclusive. Hopefully someone with better photos, actual jerseys or actual firsthand kowledge can help fill us in.

[lon lewis]

Motown, I think that you may want to check out these photos on Getty before you get too carried away on the Sand Knit jerseys only having mesh shoulders and sleeves for the Raiders. From 1989 # 51253442 Howie Long dated 10/29/89,# 80443128 Trey Junkin dated 10/15/89, # 75618618 dated10/1/89, # 242868 Bruce Wilkerson dated 10/29/89, #51253444 group shot but look at player # 52. From 1990 # 76186880 Steve Smith, # 71464634 Bob Golic dated 12/16/90, # 297427 Ricky Ellison dated 12/30/90, #71891105 Ethan Horton dated 11/1/90, #297460 James Fitzpatrick dated 10/14/90, #297423 Rory Graves dated 10/14/90 and # 51253447 Howie Long dated 12/9/90. All show those players wearing dazzle cloth shoulders and sleeves.