This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 4/24/2016
Offered here is former University of Southern California running back Ricky Bell's November 20, 1976 Offensive Player of the Week Award for his outstanding performance against then #2 ranked UCLA. Bell rushed 36 times for 167 yards and a touchdown as the #3 ranked Trojans defeated their bitter cross-town rivals 24-14 to claim the Pac-8 Title. As a junior in 1976, Bell was Pac-8 Player of the Year and a consensus First Team All-America selection as he ran for 1,433 yards and 14 TD's, leading USC to the Rose Bowl where they beat Michigan to finish #2 in the final polls. He would be drafted #1 overall by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 1977. Bell is a member of the College Football Hall of Fame.
The trophy features a 12" by 15" black-painted wood base topped by a silver-like plaque with an NCAA medallion (3" in diameter) on the top right. A second NCAA medallion appears to be missing on the top left. Etched in the metal is an NCAA quote at the top that reads "What one man achieved in the gridiron in a day, shall be reflected in the fulfillment of others throughout time." This is followed by "PRESENTED TO UNIVERSITY OF SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA - RICKY BELL - EARNED OFFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK HONORS - USC AT UCLA - NOVEMBER 20, 1976." Metal has moderate tarnishing and handling. Wood is well-preserved with few scratches. There are drill holes in the corners from how it was displayed on the wall. Hard to find college awards like this in the hobby.
Includes Letter of Provenance from the Newport Sports Museum. The founder of the museum, John Hamilton, is a fellow USC alum and chairman of the USC Athletic Hall of Fame. Hamilton himself was enshrined in 2015 for his role in developing the USC Hall of Fame in 1994 as well as his many charitable endeavors, including the museum.