This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 12/7/2014
The 1979 NFL season was marked by the emergence of the NFC Central Division Champion Tampa Bay Buccaneers. After having won just seven games in the previous three seasons combined, the 1979 Buccaneers won 10 games, claim the NFC Central Division and win their first playoff game in franchise history. The Bucs added offensive threats to complement their solid defense; a healthy Doug Williams played his first full season and Ricky Bell became the team's first 1,000-yard back, rushing for a career-high 1,263 yards. This lot includes a team-signed Rawlings football by the ’79 Bucs. The 46 signatures were all written in black ball point pen and all appear legible and strong, rating 8-9/10 in our book. The most notable signatures include head coach John McKay, Ricky Bell, Dewey Selmon and future Hall of Famer Lee Roy Selmon. Other significant gridiron signatures found on the ball belong to Heisman Trophy winners Doak Walker (1948) and Charles White (1979) along with then-Bucs defensive secondary coach Wayne Fontes.
Includes Letter of Provenance from the Newport Sports Museum.
Pre-certified by PSA/DNA.