O.J. Simpson Game-Worn NFL Buffalo Bills Jersey: Photomatch Quest & Information Thread

[BrianK]

Re: O.J. Simpson Game-Worn NFL Buffalo Bills Jersey: Photomatch Quest & Information Thread

Interesting images!

Does it look like there is an actual nameplate on the O.J. jersey from the pics?

The #16 jersey looks very similar in style to my O.J. jersey.

-Sleeve design.
-Placement of sleeve numbers.

Are all the jerseys in the pics you posted Game-Worn?

Sorry, I don't have any details. You might try the contact info in the web link.

Love your jersey.

[RKO18]

Re: O.J. Simpson Game-Worn NFL Buffalo Bills Jersey: Photomatch Quest & Information Thread

I was thinking those blue home jerseys can't possibly be gamers, but then I found this. Alvin Wyatt played for the Bills in '71 and '72.

Interesting images!

Does it look like there is an actual nameplate on the O.J. jersey from the pics?

The #16 jersey looks very similar in style to my O.J. jersey.

-Sleeve design.
-Placement of sleeve numbers.

Are all the jerseys in the pics you posted Game-Worn?

[RKO18]

Re: O.J. Simpson Game-Worn NFL Buffalo Bills Jersey: Photomatch Quest & Information Thread

I've been continuing to do more research.

I found a still shot from a video interview O.J. had with Michael Jordan back in 1988. The video showed some highlights from O.J.'s playing career and I felt that the image below displayed a similar nameplate to the one on my jersey.

However, I think the sleeve design might date the image below to 1975 or later.

Michael Jordan Interviews O.J. Simpson in 1988 (6:52)

[BrianK]

Re: O.J. Simpson Game-Worn NFL Buffalo Bills Jersey: Photomatch Quest & Information Thread

I was thinking those blue home jerseys can't possibly be gamers, but then I found this. Alvin Wyatt played for the Bills in '71 and '72.

http://www.fandemoneumsports.org/photo-exhibits/buffalo-bills-50th-anniversary-exhibit

[RKO18]

Re: O.J. Simpson Game-Worn NFL Buffalo Bills Jersey: Photomatch Quest & Information Thread

I've also been looking for additional nameplate photos from the 1974 season and found this picture of Joe Ferguson from 12/8/74 to compare to the nameplate on my Simpson jersey.

[RKO18]

Re: O.J. Simpson Game-Worn NFL Buffalo Bills Jersey: Photomatch Quest & Information Thread

Possible games used in:

From what I have managed to find so far, the high position of the numbers on the sleeves seems to be less common than the lower positioning. I could be mistaken of course as I have not been able to find a great deal of 1974 photos, but this is what I have come up with so far.

Photos from 12/15/74 @ the Los Angeles Rams:





Photos from 12/22/74 @ the Pittsburgh Steelers:





The two games above were the final two that O.J. played during the 1974 season.

[RKO18]

Re: O.J. Simpson Game-Worn NFL Buffalo Bills Jersey: Photomatch Quest & Information Thread

Photo from 12/15/74 @ the Los Angeles Rams:



Position of the shoulder numbers also appear to match my jersey.

[RKO18]

Re: O.J. Simpson Game-Worn NFL Buffalo Bills Jersey: Photomatch Quest & Information Thread

Have you found any pictures of O.J. wearing the overlapping v-neck collar that appears on your jersey?

That's a good idea.

I'm having a tough time finding good enough photos, but the one below looks as though it may be a v-neck style.



Can anyone else find a better image?

[beantown]

Re: O.J. Simpson Game-Worn NFL Buffalo Bills Jersey: Photomatch Quest & Information Thread

Have you found any pictures of O.J. wearing the overlapping v-neck collar that appears on your jersey?

[slats7]

Re: O.J. Simpson Game-Worn NFL Buffalo Bills Jersey: Photomatch Quest & Information Thread

[RKO18]

Re: O.J. Simpson Game-Worn NFL Buffalo Bills Jersey: Photomatch Quest & Information Thread

Examples of other O.J. Simpson jerseys said to be "Game-Worn":

I have yet to see a true "photomatched" O.J. Simpson Game-Worn jersey, but I have found examples of jerseys said to be "Game-Worn" to use as a source of comparison.

[Disclaimer: I do not mean to call into question and/or disrespect any jersey claimed to have been "Game-Worn". I am not making any accusations, but rather, have some questions that I hope my fellow collectors can answer better than I can. I hope that none of the following violates any board-policies as that is not at all my intention.]

The first is a jersey that sold for $2,531 on American Memorabilia on February 5th, 2009.







Mid '70s O.J. Simpson Game-Worn Bills Jersey (w/Provenance)

The only thing that I question about the jersey is the lack of a true nameplate. Was this common-place for the Buffalo Bills jerseys during that era?

Also, the jersey above looks similar too (though it is not the same as) a jersey currently listed on eBay as a "NON-GAME-USED SIZE LARGE ( REPLICA ) BUFFALO BILLS BLUE OJ SIMPSON JERSEY MADE BY' CHAMPION PRODUCTS INC.'"

Compare for yourself.





OJ SIMPSON JERSEY THROWBACK REPLICA (on eBay)

Is there a chance that the jersey posted above from American Memorabilia may have been a retail/replica/etc. or is there a chance that the jersey on eBay may be more than the "replica" jersey it's claimed to be?

Both jerseys lack a true nameplate, and I found an image of O.J. with Archie Manning where you can clearly see that there was a true nameplate on his jersey.



I have found links to other jerseys similar (not sure if any of them are the same) to the one's posted above.

1973 O.J. Simpson Game-Worn Jersey from Heritage Auctions

1973 O.J. Simpson Buffalo Bills Game-Used Jersey from GFC

All of the jerseys posted/linked above share a similar sleeve-style to my jersey and all of them appear to share a similar "L" Champion tag to my jersey.

My jersey has an actual nameplate, 3 repairs and is an "Away" jersey; so my question is, are the jerseys posted above likely to be legit and do any of the similarities in tagging have any connection to my jersey?

Unlike the Reebok era of modern NFL gamers, I have no idea what was produced for the public and for the team by Champion in the 1970's. Were there any similarities between true Game-Worn jerseys and others that were either retail and/or leaked out to the public?

[RKO18]

Re: O.J. Simpson Game-Worn NFL Buffalo Bills Jersey: Photomatch Quest & Information Thread

I know Bob Case and from what know of him and from what I have seen with regards to his USC collection, it is second to none. I have seen his house and office and it is full to the top with USC game used memorabilia.

I have also purchased three very high end 49er game worn jerseys that either came directly from him or that were once part of his collection, and could not be happier.

He is well known in the sports world and a respected businessman. I highly doubt he would knowingly sell a non-authentic OJ shirt. In fact, if you browse through old Grey Flannel catalogs you will see a number of USC game worn items that he consigned.

If you have any other questions please feel free to email me at: garciajones@yahoo.com

Paul

Always buying 49ers gamers and ALL 1994 49er GU items!

Thank you for your imput Paul.

That was exactly my hope, that someone like Bob Case who is familiar with O.J. Game-Worn memorabilia might be well-qualified to add his signature to 100% Authentic's letter of opinion on my jersey.

On a side-note, I found this image of an O.J. Simpson Game-Worn Trojans jersey:



O.J. Simpson Game-Worn USC Jersey article

[RKO18]

Re: O.J. Simpson Game-Worn NFL Buffalo Bills Jersey: Photomatch Quest & Information Thread

By no means am I a top-level photo-matcher, but the color OJ photo (front) shows a differentpositioning of the sleeve numbers than the B&W photo (back), which looks to be spot-on.

Dave Miedema

Thank you Dave.

The sleeve length and number positions on the sleeves do appear to match.

I found another image from the 12/22/74 game @ Pittsburgh (O.J.'s only career NFL playoff fame) and the sleeve-length, position of the sleeve numbers and nameplate all appear to possibly match.

[RKO18]

Re: O.J. Simpson Game-Worn NFL Buffalo Bills Jersey: Photomatch Quest & Information Thread

Thank you to both Dewey2007 and Jags Fan Dan for your help and research!

[solarlottry]

Re: O.J. Simpson Game-Worn NFL Buffalo Bills Jersey: Photomatch Quest & Information Thread

I know Bob Case and from what know of him and from what I have seen with regards to his USC collection, it is second to none. I have seen his house and office and it is full to the top with USC game used memorabilia.

I have also purchased three very high end 49er game worn jerseys that either came directly from him or that were once part of his collection, and could not be happier.

He is well known in the sports world and a respected businessman. I highly doubt he would knowingly sell a non-authentic OJ shirt. In fact, if you browse through old Grey Flannel catalogs you will see a number of USC game worn items that he consigned.

If you have any other questions please feel free to email me at: garciajones@yahoo.com

Paul

Always buying 49ers gamers and ALL 1994 49er GU items!