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1960 Houston Oilers Team-Signed AFL Game Ball - vs. Patriots - Inaugural Season - Mac Speedie Collection
Houston Oilers team-signed game ball commemorating a victory over the Boston Patriots during the club's inaugural season in the newly formed American Football Conference (AFL). This ball originates from the personal collection of Cleveland Browns Hall of Fame wide receiver Mac Speedie and has been consigned to this auction directly by a family member. It is one of twenty lots from the Mac Speedie Collection offered in this auction, all of which were just recently on public display at the National Football Hall of Fame in Canton, Ohio. The Spalding official AFL football, which features the stamped facsimile signature of league commissioner Joe Foss, is lettered "Oilers 24 Boston 10 Mac Speedie" in white paint on a side panel. It has been signed in blue ink by approximately thirty-two members of the Houston Oilers. Many of the signatures contrast poorly against the dark leather, but legible examples include George Blanda, John Carson, Mark Johnston, Doug Cline, Bob White, Hogan Wharton, Don Lanphear, Chuck Kendall, and Billy Canon. This is a historically important ball for many reasons. 1960 marked the AFL's inaugural season, along with that of the Houston Oilers, making this one of the earliest AFL game balls we have ever seen. The Oilers were also the AFL champions in 1960 and it has probably been more than ten years since another 1960 Houston Oilers team-signed football has been offered at public auction, let alone a game-used ball. Mac Speedie was a receivers coach with the Oilers in 1960 and this ball was most likely presented to him after the game. Research indicates that the win over the Boston Patriots occurred on Friday, November 25, and was the club's eighth of the year. The Oilers finished the season 10-4 and won the Eastern Division. They then defeated the San Diego Chargers, 24-16, to capture the first AFL championship in league history. The ball is slightly deflated and displays wear commensurate with game use, including scratches, abrasions, scuffs, and chipping to the laces.
Past Sports Card, Memorabilia, Non-Sports Card and Collecitble Auction Items
Other past auction items that may be of interest to you.
Historic 1950 Cleveland Browns vs. Philadelphia Eagles Game Ball - Cleveland's 1st NFL Game & Win - Mac Speedie Collection
1946 AAFC Championship Game Ball - Browns vs. Yankees - Inaugural Season - Mac Speedie Collection
1950 NFL Championship Game Ball - Browns vs. Rams - Cleveland's 1st NFL Championship! - Mac Speedie Collection
1949 AAFC Championship Game Ball - Browns vs. 49ers - Last AAFC Game! - Mac Speedie Collection
1948 AAFC Championship Signed Game Ball - Browns vs. Bills - Mac Speedie Collection
1952 Opening Day Game Ball - Browns vs. Rams - Mac Speedie Collection
1947 AAFC Championship Commemorative Ball - Browns vs. Yankees - Mac Speedie Collection
