In Super Bowl XXIII, held on January 22, 1989, the NFC Champion San Francisco 49ers defeated the AFC Champion Cincinnati Bengals, 20-16, with one of the most exciting finishes in Super Bowl history. Down 16-13 with just over three minutes left, Joe Montana took the Niners down the field on memorable 92-yard drive
capped with the winning 10-yard TD-strike to John Taylor with just 34
ticks on the clock. But none of this would have even been possible without the heroics of the game's Most Valuable Player, Jerry Rice, who had 11 receptions for a Super Bowl record 215 yards, including a 14-yard TC catch from Montana to nod the score at 13 with 14:03 left in the game. The Montana-Rice will always be considered one of the best QB-WR combos, especially since each player is viewed by many as the greatest ever at their position.
This lot features an actual Super Bowl XXIII game-used football that has been autographed by Rice in shiny 10/10 silver paint pen, with his uniform number “80” inscribed just below the signature. The Wilson official NFL (Rozelle) ball has the "Super Bowl XXIII" stamp on one panel and "San Francisco 49ers vs. Cincinnati Bengals - Miami, FL January 22, 1989" on another. It shows appropriate evidence of game usage, and comes from the personal collection of the late Dave Rahn (pictured with Rice), the 49ers' former Director of Operations.
Includes letter of
provenance from Dave Rahn's widow. Also comes with COA from Jerry Rice's manager. Autograph pre-certified by PSA/DNA.
Provenance: From 1986-2002, Dave Rahn served an
integral role within the San Francisco 49ers organization. Starting as a
public relations and media coordinator, he soon took over as director
of travel and team services where he was responsible for all football
operations, including travel and accommodations, practice schedules,
lodging and meal planning. He later managed the concert tours for
Fleetwood Mac, Sheryl Crow and Lionel Richie. In 2014, Dave Rahn passed
away after a courageous 2-year battle with cancer. "He was like a wheel,
and all these spokes from those years came from him," said his close
friend, former linebacker Gary Plummer. "He kept the 49ers family from
those times together." His collection included dozens of 49ers game-worn
and autographed items gifted by players and staff members.