NFL Game/Practice Used Footballs - Tagliabue, Rozelle

[RaiderNationPDX]

Thinning out some redundancies in my collection and have a couple footballs for sale.

The first is a game used Pete Rozelle football from 1974 (Wilson date code GG). Ball is striped for night games and has been professionally restored by Hammer Sports Relics. Bladder has been replaced and the laces have been re-laced with only one layer (not doubled up like a football should). Leather has darkened with age, but still displays great. This ball has been previously discussed on the forum http://www.gameuseduniverse.com/vb_f...zelle+football. I have another 1974 gamer that doesn't have white stripes, and thus fits my collection better, so I'm hoping this one can find a good new home.

Price is $75 + Shipping. Email me at alex [dot] d [dot] burson [at] gmaildotcom.





The second is a Paul Tagliabue-era football from 1997 (date code KP) that the previous owner attributed as a practice ball for the Philadelphia Eagles. According to him, this and a couple other balls originally came from an Eagles kicking prospect who tried out for the team, didn't make it, and took a couple balls as souvenirs.

I have no way to verify the veracity of this backstory, but I have seen the Sharpie X's on other NFL kicking practice balls. As with most practice balls, leather is very worn. Laces and bladder have been replaced by the previous owner. As with the first ball, this ball has been replaced in my collection with a better exemplar of the era, and I'm hoping this can find a new home either as a collectible or just as a ball to toss around.

Price is $35 + shipping. Email me at alex [dot] d [dot] burson [at] gmaildotcom.

[cohibasmoker]

Hi - any other footballs for sale? If so, can you send me a email? I am at

flaa1a@comcast.net

[ousooner_85]

Is there a website that has the date code listings?

[RaiderNationPDX]

Jim, no other footballs for sale at this time, but thanks for the interest. Just trying to thin out a little bit (running out of room), but if any more come up, I'll let you know.

The Wilson date codes have been discussed extensively on the forum; here's the link to one such thread where it's cropped up:
http://www.gameuseduniverse.com/vb_f...son+date+codes

[ousooner_85]

Sorry Raider.....I couldn't find it. Thanks for the information!

[RaiderNationPDX]

Maybe I pasted the wrong link. Basically, the date codes break down like this:

The first letter corresponds to the year; since Wilson began date coding in 1968, that corresponds to the letter A, and continues through on a 10-year cycle like so:

A=XXX8
B=XXX9
C=XXX0
D=XXX1
E=XXX2
F=XXX3
G=XXX4
H=XXX5
J=XXX6
K=XXX7

Near as I can tell, the NFL used "I" on 1976 balls, but phased that out when the cycle reset the next time.

As for the second letter, the months count backwards from the bottom of the alphabet, with Z corresponding to December.

O=January
P=February
Q=March
R=April
S=May
T=June
U=July
V=August
W=September
X=October
Y=November
Z=December

Hope this clears it up; thanks for your interest!

[RaiderNationPDX]

$55 + shipping on the Rozelle ball.

$25 + shipping on the Tagliabue ball.

Depending on ZIP, Priority Mail on these comes to about $8-$12.

[RaiderNationPDX]

Tagliabue football sold. Thanks to the buyer!

[RaiderNationPDX]

Rozelle football sold. Thanks to the buyer!