Historic game ball from the 1948 All-America Football Conference (AAFC) championship game between the Cleveland Browns and Buffalo Bills, signed by members of the Browns on a side panel. This ball originates from the personal collection of Cleveland Browns Hall of Fame wide receiver Mac Speedie and has been consigned to this auction directly by a family member. It is one of twenty lots from the Mac Speedie Collection offered in this auction, all of which were just recently on public display at the National Football Hall of Fame in Canton, Ohio. The Wilson official AAFC football, which bears the facsimile signature of league commissioner J. H. Ingram, features gold painted lettering on a side panel that reads "All American Conference Champions 1948 Cleveland Browns 49 Buffalo Bills 7." On the panel directly below are the black-ink signatures of approximately twelve Cleveland players. Unfortunately, nearly all the signatures have faded beyond legibility except for those of Mel Maceau, Lou Rymkus, and, it appears, Lou Groza. 

1948 marked the third year of play for the AAFC and like the previous two seasons, the Cleveland Browns once again won the league title, this time in dominant fashion with a 49-7 rout of the Buffalo Bills. Mac Speedie contributed two catches for 22 yards in the game, which was light on passing and heavy on Marion Motley, who rushed for 133 yards and three touchdowns. The ball, which is moderately deflated, displays wear commensurate with game use, including several abrasions and scuffs. Souvenirs from the AAFC, especially those commemorating league titles, are rare. The fact that this particular ball once belonged to a Hall of Fame member of the Browns only adds to its appeal.