60 Autographs of 1968 Steelers on a Wilson Football – Mansfield, Bleier, Etc.
Lot 53. 60 Autographs of 1968 Steelers on a Wilson Football – Mansfield, Bleier, Etc. The signatures are strong, generally nm-m 8s and mint 9s, on a tan Wilson ball. All of the signatures are on two panels. The ball is signed by head coach Bill Austin and four of his assistants: Tom Fletcher, Don Heinrich, Leon McLaughlin and Torgy Torgeson. Thirty-four players who appeared in games for the 2-11-1 Steelers also signed: Dick Arndt, Bill Asbury, Rocky Bleier, John Campbell, Dick Compton, Marshall Cropper, John Fouria, Larry Gagner, Earl Gros, Mike Haggerty, Lou Harris, John Hilton, Chuck Hinton, Dick Hoak, Bob Hohn, Roy Jefferson (added “Sweet Pea”), Tony Jeter, Ray Mansfield, Paul Martha, Ray May, Ben McGee, Kent Nix, possibly Frank Parker, Andy Russell, Bill Saul, Dick Shiner, Bill Shockley, Don Shy, Clendon Thomas, Bruce Van Dyke, Lloyd Voss, Bob Wade, Ralph Wenzel, J R. Wilburn and Marv Woodson. The ball may have been signed early in the season because it contains the signatures of five players who were on the 1967 roster but did not make the 1967 team: Rod Breedlove, Jim Elliott, Jerry Marion, Bob Morgan and Fran O’Brien. The ball is signed also by Joe Roundy, the team’s 13th selection in the 1968 draft; Roundy never played in a regular-season pro game. Several players who were looking for work but ultimately failed to make the team also signed. Among them is Wally Hilgenberg. This is an unusually nice example of a 1960s team-signed football. It displays nicely with very readable autographs. BONUS: Autographed Andy Russell Sports Illustrated poster. 1969 Renselaar Corp. 24” x 36” poster for SI signed by Russell, one of the best linebackers not in the Hall of Fame. The signature is a large, bold 10 in silver sharpie. Authenticated by Kevin Keating. Current Bid $138.
