Offensive lineman Tom Mack was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1999. A Michigan Wolverine, Mack was taken #2 overall by the Los Angeles Rams in the 1966 NFL draft. He played for the Rams his entire 13-year career (1966-78), starting at guard for 162 games over that period and earning trips to 11 Pro Bowls. Featured here is Mack's game-used helmet from the early part of his career, and it certainly shows its age in design and wear.
This navy blue shell painted with its pre-1973 white Ram spiral logo on each side is a piece of game-used art in its finest form, full of multiple paint transfers, scratches, indentations and other contact marks all typical of an interior lineman battling in the trenches on a muddy Sunday. The rear of the helmet is labeled, "Riddell Inc." and "Kra-Lite - Made in U.S.A." The interior of this mid-1960's model helmet has the RAC-K2 Aero Cell 12-point suspension system with rope-like belts to crown the head and a rubber cushion at the top. The suspension padding is completely intact and has size "6 7/8" stamped on the circular base belt.
Hand-marked on two different belts is the number "22" in black ink, perhaps attributing the helmet to earlier use by Dick Bass or Steve Heckard. There are #80 marker notations near the crown, perhaps indicating use by Bucky Pope. Two Riddell labels affixed inside the rear read, "This helmet has been reconditioned by Riddell Inc." Near the left ear hole is a strip of blue Dymo tape labeled "65 Mack". A few other written markings appear on the interior roof as well as two "F4" stamps. The helmet is equipped with the three-bar facemask that Mack was prone to using, gashed from use but perfectly intact, with clips from later period. It is missing its chin strap, but the ear pads (one of which has broken in two from age) appear to be the originals. Mack has signed and inscribed "Tom Mack - LA Rams - HOF 99" on helmet's left side in faded pen. Pre-certified by PSA/DNA (auto.).