Players wearing unexpected uniform styles

[gingi79]

Shawn, could you let me know if his game worn jersey become available? I could use all the divine intervention I can get

[aeneas01]

Check out Mike Ditka wearing this old helmet! I'm pretty sure this style of helmet was outdated by Ditka's rookie season of 1961.

Because Halas was involved with Wilson Sporting Goods a lot of Bears players wore Wilson helmets. Wilson's late 50s/early 60s helmets (MacGregor did this as well) were pretty much the same shape as their old leather helmets but with plastic shells. I've seen photos of Ditka's early years with the Bears and he is wearing that style helmet (but of course with at least a 1-bar facemask).

Back then you also saw a lot of player head shot photos done with helmets without facemasks just to show the player's face. I believe this Ditka photo is one of those.

ditka is sporting a macgregor helmet in the photo, most likely a mac E700 - it's a macgregor product endorsement shot as opposed to team head shot. here are a few other macgregor endorsement shoots with marquee players modeling macgregor helmets, shoulder pads and footballs....

[Klattsy]

Not sure if this relates to this thread, but Travis Blackley, just called up from AAA Fresno to the Giants bullpen, tweeted a picture of some Tim Lincecum cleats that Tim had been to him. I guess to wear in a game. They had the 55Freak embossing on them. I only mention in case in the future they turn up online...

Mark.

[commando]

Kareem...

[Sincityson]

Hakeem Olajuwon

[hrvatwill]

One of my favorites, Hank Greenberg as a Pittsburgh Pirate.

[John in KY]

ditka is sporting a macgregor helmet in the photo, most likely a mac E700 - it's a macgregor product endorsement shot as opposed to team head shot. here are a few other macgregor endorsement shoots with marquee players modeling macgregor helmets, shoulder pads and footballs....

Mystery solved - I have seen those ads with Unitas wearing MacGregor gear various places, but had not see the shots of the other players. The Bart Starr shot is really interesting - what the heck kind of "G" is that? It almost looks like a wishbone "C" (Bears, Reds, etc.) turned into a "G".

[RJB44]

Red Sox Manager Bobby Valentine wearing Minior League jersey #25. He was in Yarmouth, MA for "Bobby Valentine Day". He played for the Yarmouth Indians back in 1967, the Cape Cod Baseball League team that would become the Y-D Red Sox. He is wearing a current Y-D jersey and the #25 I assume was his number back in the day.

[MikeSharon]

Satchel in the DOME

[aeneas01]

early '90s shot of montana during camp, sporting what appears to be cunningham's helmet, most likely the result of a pro bowl swap...