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Prior to his NFL career, Gary Larsen played college football at Concordia College in Moorhead, Minnesota. He started his NFL career in 1964 with the Los Angeles Rams but is more well-known for being a defensive tackle as part of the famous Purple People Eaters for the Minnesota Vikings from 1965 through 1974. He was selected to two Pro Bowls and played in Super Bowls IV, VIII and IX. Larsen was sometimes referred to as the "policeman" given his focus on covering the run while Carl Eller, Jim Marshall, and Alan Page would terrorize quarterbacks. Still, according to Minnesota Viking records, Larsen recorded 38.5 sacks in his 11-year career.
This white mesh style jersey was worn by Larsen during the 1973 or 1974 season. Sewn on the left front tail is the Sand Knit size "50" tag along with the Exclusive Minnesota Vikings tag. What is unusual about these tags is that it appears this jersey was manufactured at the end of the tagging cycle of the top tag and the beginning of the tagging cycle of the bottom tag. If correct, that would appear to date this jersey to Larsen's final season in 1974. Larsen's #77 is screened on front, back and both sleeves in purple. On the back of the jersey, above the numbers, the name "LARSEN" is sewn on a nameplate in purple letters. The jersey appears to be all-original and displays heavy use with tons of major repairs in the shoulder area.
This is a great piece of memorabilia from a member of the famed Purple People Eaters.View Lot Detail page