This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 11/4/2017
The late Emil Karas was an accomplished linebacker in the NFL who played for two different teams: the Washington Redskins (1959) and the Los Angeles/San Diego Chargers (1960-66). Karas played college football at the University of Dayton and was drafted in the third round of the 1959 NFL Draft. He died of pancreatic cancer on November 25, 1974, a month before his 41st birthday. Following his death, the San Diego Chargers created the Emil Karas Memorial Award, awarding it each season to the team’s “Most Inspirational Player.”
This lot features the oversized wooden plaque (16” wide by 20” high) that named each of the recipients from 1976 through 1992 with individually engraved
black nameplates adorning the front of the plaque. Of special note is the fact that Hall of Fame wide receiver Charlie Joiner won the award seven different times (1980 to ’86),
while defensive back Gill Byrd was named the team’s most inspirational player
on five different occasions (1988 to ’92).
Includes Letter of Provenance from the San Diego Hall of Champions.