Summer Premier Auction 2014
Wed, Aug 6, 2014 08:00PM EDT - Sun, Aug 24, 2014 11:00AM EDT
Timed Auction
Lot 769
12/17/1961 NEW YORK GIANTS NFL EASTERN CHAMPIONS TEAM SIGNED FOOTBALL ATTRIBUTED TO FINAL REGULAR SEASON GAME (7-7 TIE VS. CLEVELAND)
Sold for
$360
Sold Price includes BP
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The New York Giants were one of the five original NFL teams when the league began in 1925 and are the only one of the five still in existence. In 1958 the Giants won the Eastern Conference and went on to face the Johnny Unitas and the Baltimore Colts in the NFL Championship game. They lost 23-17 in an overtime thriller that became known as "The Greatest Game Ever Played" mostly for its impact on furthering the NFL's popularity. In 1961 the Giants again won the Eastern Conference with a 10-3-1 record behind quarterback Y.A. Tittle and advanced to the Championship game to face Vince Lombardi's Green Bay Packers. Lombardi was the Giants' offensive coordinator from 1954-58 before taking the head coaching position in Green Bay so perhaps he knew exactly what plays were coming. The Packers dominated the Giants 37-0.
This Rawlings 'AB' official size and weight football is signed by 34 members of the 1961 New York Giants including Hall of Famers Y.A. Tittle Andy Robustelli (DE) Sam Huff (LB) and Roosevelt Brown (OT) as well as former placekicker legendary broadcaster and future Hall of Famer the late Pat Summerall. Bob Simms signed it twice. The ball is notated "NEW YORK 7 CLEVELAND 7 DECEMBER 17 1961" which was the score and date of the Giants' final regular season game that year. Normally game balls would be notated on an official Wilson "The Duke" football. Given the unique and specific notation however it is likely this ball was used in some capacity for that home game at Yankee Stadium. Perhaps it was a warm-up or practice ball passed around in the Giants locker room after the game and signed by most of the team. Another interesting thing to note is that one member of the Cleveland Browns also signed the ball: Hall of Fame placekicker and offensive tackle Lou Groza. He signed next to the "Cleveland 7" notation. In all there are 36 signatures in blue pen with an average rating of 7-8/10. Amazingly the ball has been preserved in excellent condition with evident use but perfectly inflatable and essentially as-issued.
The consignor's father was close with several players on the team(Andy Robustelli and Kyle Rote to name a few) even traveling with them on occasion and received this ball as a gift.
Pre-certified by PSA/DNA.
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