A rare Grail Clemson find?? Any help would be great!

[perlman9]

A few weeks ago I bought a Carolina Panthers and Clemson helmet from someone who bought Larry Ryans storage unit. I assumed it was Larry's helmet. After getting it, a fellow forum member did some research and with the recert sticker and facemask code, it was concluded it was a 1995 game worn helmet. Ryans was number 20 in the early 90s and although this helmet was #20 as well, it couldn't have been Ryans'. Well, come to find out from someone else that Brian Dawkins wore 20 in 1995 and had this style helmet and was hoping to photo match it. There are tons of hit marks and think I may have a great find if anyone can help of Dawkins in 1995? Here are some photos

http://www.gettyimages.com/Search/Search.aspx?contractUrl=2&language=en-US&family=editorial&assetType=image&ep=2&ebd=1995-08-01&eed=1996-01-05&mt=photography&p=brian+dawkins

[hockeytigers]

Re: A rare Grail Clemson find?? Any help would be great!

I hope that I can help you out...

I played footall at Clemson and my senior year was the same as Brian's. Clemson allowed us to keep our helmet as a senior so I used mine as a comparison. There are several reasons why I don't believe that this is Brian's helmet. The big white paw stickers on the side of the helmet looks to be different than mine. I think 1995 was the last year that all four areas of the paw are on one sticker. This almost looks like a transfer type sticker that was applied to the helmet after 1995. Also, we were given reward stickers on the back of our helmets and this doesn't have any. He was a pretty good player and he probably would have received some stickers.

I'm on my iPhone now but I will post some pictures of mine later so you can see the difference.

Hope this helps...

Thanks,
Chris

[perlman9]

Re: A rare Grail Clemson find?? Any help would be great!

Thanks Chris! The paw stickers are all separate stickers, not one big sticker. Wasn't sure if I fell into something or not but I have heard from another that this may be a 1996. ALso, there is an 83 in black marker inside the helmet. Helmet shows a ton of use so don't think would have been a back up unless they tore it up in practice, which was another theory of a fellow board member. If it has 1995 recert sticker would that be for use in 95 or 96? Thanks for your help as usual!

[hockeytigers]

Re: A rare Grail Clemson find?? Any help would be great!

We wore the same helmets in practice as we wore in the games so we didn't have a backup...I'm guessing it is someone's helmet from after 1995.

[TAFKADixie]

Re: A rare Grail Clemson find?? Any help would be great!

I bet the 4 people on ebay who sent you offers are thinking it's Dawkins!

[TAFKADixie]

Re: A rare Grail Clemson find?? Any help would be great!

I'm also fairly certain that we had American flags on the back as well. Is that some residue on the bottom back corner where it could have been removed?

[UGA-1]

Re: A rare Grail Clemson find?? Any help would be great!

Not trying to muddy the water even more but it is also possible that more than one player wore #20. Schools do that all the time.

With that said, I hope it turns out to be Dawkins. He is an awesome player. Good luck!

[perlman9]

Re: A rare Grail Clemson find?? Any help would be great!

Sadly it is not, as I learned the decals are from a later year. Probably 1996. Oh well, I didn't pay much for it and was fun to research and what I learned from others was awesome! Would have been an awesome surprise but still a nice gamer nonetheless

[hockeytigers]

Re: A rare Grail Clemson find?? Any help would be great!

Here are a couple of photos of my helmet...It should look almost exactly the same...