This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 1/21/2017
George Blanda and the Houston Oilers began the AFL’s inaugural season in style by defeating the Oakland Raiders at Kezar Stadium in San Francisco. Houston drew first blood in their inaugural September 11, 1960 game when Blanda threw a 43-yard pass to Charlie Hennigan. Oakland evened the score in the second quarter and then took the lead, but Houston scored another 23 points and won their very first AFL game, 37-22. Blanda was simply dominating that initial Sunday, throwing for 279 yards and 4 touchdown passes while also kicking a field goal and converting all four of his extra point attempts. His performance outpaced any other player in the league that first week, and he was voted the AFL’s very first “PLAYER OF THE WEEK” award. To commemorate his achievement, George Blanda was awarded this stunning 24 1/2” tall trophy.
The trophy features a 4 1/2” tall golden football player atop a 9 1/2” urn mounted on a 10” tall wooden base. Affixed to the front of the 11” x 6 1/2” base is an enamel Sinclair Gasoline (award sponsor) logo and an engraved brass plaque which reads “A.F.L. PLAYER OF THE WEEK OFFENSE GEORGE BLANDA HOUSTON OILERS VS OAKLAND RAIDERS SEPT. 11, 1960”. A pair of brass footballs flanks both sides of this impressive award. The wooden base shows some slight wear from being displayed and there are some abrasions and scuff marks on its edges. An extraordinary historical piece from the AFL’s inaugural week that comes from the collection of Hall of Famer George Blanda.
LOA from Blanda family.