This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 1/21/2017
The 1994 San Diego Chargers remain the only Charger squad to play in the Super Bowl, winning the AFC West division with an 11-5 records before defeating the Dolphins and Steelers in the AFC playoffs. The team’s starting Defensive Tackle that special season was Reuben Davis, who recorded 29 tackles and plugged the middle with his massive 6’ 5” 300 lb. frame. Featured here is his game-worn powder blue jersey and white lightning bolt helmet that Davis wore together as part of the Chargers’ AFL throwback uniform. Photo research indicates the Chargers wore this exact combination twice during the ’94 regular season: home games vs. the Chiefs (Oct. 9) and Raiders (Dec 5). The white throwback helmet, a rarity to find in the market, was also worn in San Diego’s Sept. 25 road contest against their bitter rivals from Oakland.
The powder blue mesh jersey includes all the proper Russell Athletic tagging on the left front tail, coming in size 54 with a pair of “100% Nylon” and 4” Extra Body Length flag tags. The No. 93 jersey shows heavy wear with contact marks and over a dozen team repairs throughout, most noticeable on the right shoulder and near the left armpit. The numbers are heat-pressed on the front, back and both sleeves in white outlined in yellow, with the Bolts logo adorning each sleeve. “R.DAVIS” appears across the upper back in white heat-pressed on a blue nameplate. The ’94 season marked the 75th anniversary of the NFL, and that special patch is sewn on the upper left chest. A nice bonus to the jersey is the presence of a crotch flap, which itself is a throwback.
The white Riddell helmet is gashed with contact marks on the shell, which is emblazoned with two large lightning bolt decals plus Davis’ black No. 93 decal on each side. The NFL logo and warning label stickers appears on the rear where it is stamped “XL” for size. The neck pad is ripped from overuse. The gray coated five-bar facemask is definitely the original based on its significant wear-and-tear. The two upper bar clips are stamped “93”. Both snap-on ear pads are present inside, as is all interior padding. The only part of this helmet that is not all-original is its chinstrap.
The consignor is one of the most passionate San Diego Chargers collectors around and received the jersey and helmet directly from Davis. He has provided two 8” by 10” photo-matches from the 10/9/94 Chiefs game. He knows of only one other white throwback helmet from the Chargers ’94 season in a private collection.