Addendum: Gabriel won MVP in 1969 and this helmet is from that season.
After a standout college career at NC State, quarterback Roman Gabriel had a very successful NFL career spanning 16 seasons, eleven of those with the Los Angeles Rams. He was named the NFL's Most Valuable Player in 1969 and earned Pro Bowl nods in 1967-69, and 1973 when he led the league in passing yards (3,219) for the Philadelphia Eagles. He still holds the Rams franchise record for career touchdown passes (154) and is third in passing yards (22,223). He finished with 201Not bad for an era when teams focused most of their offense on running the football. He is a member of the College Football Hall of Fame and remains one of Canton's biggest snub (along with Jim Plunkett).
Presented here is Gabriel's stunning game-used helmet from his '69 MVP campaign when he led the Rams to 11 straight wins to start the season (still a franchise record) and finished with 24 TD passes versus just seven interceptions. The navy blue shell painted with its pre-1973 white Ram spiral logo on each side is a piece of game-used artwork, displaying obvious usage in the form of some minor exterior scratches and paint transfers along with interior staining and toning from perspiration and age. The rear exterior is labeled "Riddell" and "Kra-Lite" and there is "R K 2 Helmet" sticker on the rear interior. The inside of the late 1960's model helmet has the RAC-K2 Aero Cell 12-point suspension system using rope-like belts, which is perfectly intact and problem-free. Near the left ear hole is a strip of blue Dymo tape labeled "18 GABRIEL." The helmet is equipped with the one-bar facemask that Gabriel was prone to using along with a well-worn chinstrap and heavily used ear pads. Gabriel has signed and inscribed the right side of the shell, "Roman Gabriel - My 1969 MVP Helmet," in 8/9/10 black pen.
Overall, this is one of the finest examples of an early Rams helmet you will find, extremely well-preserved without the rust, toning and aging that would normally be present after all this time. And best of all, it originated from Roman's personal collection. Includes LOA from Gabriel. Includes Beckett LOA (A52600) for autograph and inscription.