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Lot # 1221: Early 1980s Tony Dorsett Dallas Cowboys Signed Game Worn Jersey (Dorsett LOA & MEARS A10)

Category: Football

Starting Bid: $2,000.00

Bids: 12 (Bid History)

Time Left: Auction closed
Lot / Auction Closed




This lot is closed. Bidding is not allowed.

Item was in Auction "2023 Spring Classic",
which ran from 4/2/2023 7:00 PM to
4/22/2023 10:00 PM



Presented is an early 1980s Tony Dorsett signed, game worn Dallas Cowboys mesh, blue jersey. Dorsett grew up in Western Pennsylvania and was a 4-time All-American running back at the University of Pittsburgh, winning First Team All-American honors in 1973, '75, and '76 - and Second Team All-American in '74. Dorsett was known as "Anthony" when he arrived at Pittsburgh, but the Pittsburgh University Athletic department convinced Dorsett to go by "Tony" so that his initials "TD" would stand for both "Tony Dorsett" and "touchdown." Dorsett led Pittsburgh to the National title in '76, and he finished his college career with 6,082 rushing yards, the most in history until his record was broken by Ricky Williams in 1998. In 1976, the running back won both the Heisman and Maxwell Trophies, and the Walter Camp Award, and he was drafted in the first round in 1977 (second pick overall) by the Dallas Cowboys. He played a dozen NFL seasons, all but his final year, 1988 (with the Denver Broncos) with the Cowboys. Initially, Dallas head coach Tom Landry wanted Dorsett to run the ball through the precise hole that was indicated in the Dallas playbook, but Dorsett kept improvising, running to daylight wherever he saw an opening, and after some disagreement with Dorsett, Landry realized that Dorsett's method worked better, and Landry changed the Dallas system to allow for Dorsett's ab lib creativity. Tony was the Offensive NFL Rookie of the Year in 1977, and a 4-time Pro Bowl selection. He was on the Dallas team that won Super Bowl XII in 1978, when Dallas defeated Denver by 27-10 in the Louisiana Superdome. In that game, Dorsett scored the contest's first touchdown, in the first quarter, on a three-yard run and rushed for 66 yards in 15 carries. In his pro career, Dorsett rushed for 12,739 yards, for a 4.3 per carry average, and 77 touchdowns. He also caught 398 passes, for 3,554 yards and 13 touchdowns. He is in both the Pro and College Football Halls of Fame. There is a Russell Athletic manufacturer's tag on the right front tail that shows size "46." All of the letters and numerals on the jersey are screened. On the chest is "33" in gray numerals with blue and white trim. Each sleeve has "33" also with gray numerals with blue and white trim. The back has "DORSETT" in white letters on a blue name plate. Beneath the name is "33" in white numerals with blue and white trim. Dorsett has signed the back, on the first numeral "3" in black ink from a marker, and also in black ink from a marker, Dorsett has added, near the bottom back of the jersey, "Game Used." This rare jersey came right from Dorsett, and a Tony Dorsett Letter of Authenticity comes with it. The jersey shows nice use with some dirt/field stains, paint transfers, loose threads (from being stretched), and some scuffs. The jersey also comes with a MEARS Letter of Opinion that grades the jersey as "A10." Dorsett's success in both college and pro football resulted in his being considered one of the top running backs of all time, and obtaining his signed, game worn Dallas Cowboys jersey is a coup for any collector.

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