Autographed 1960 Fleer Ray Moss

Nod Todd, as regards a signature(s) in addition those who never played in the AFL, what of those who passed away before signing a card or name on card did not match player pictured? What of a player who changed his name: anyone fall that category AFL cards, necessitating a need second signature?

Having done no research re: said as signatures on sports cards/other memorabilia never appealed to me personally, wonder: for the discriminating signature completist, is one card signed by a player legally had two (or more) names career considered sufficient?

Boxing, think Muhammad Ali nee Cassius Clay were he not a boxer but rather an AFL player.
Or the more modern players sports variously, some who change their name for an religious reason (or perhaps due being self-absorbed: Chad Johnson nee Chad Ochocinco & back again, etc.) Another raison: J.R. Henderson beget J.R. Sakuragi in order to become a basketball player Japan: as a condition of being a member the Japanese National Team, had to have a Japanese name, so, changed his thus.
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Different angle: what’s in a number? One of the things lost post merger was unique jersey numbering and unique names the nameplate. While not in favor ‘I’ndividuals in lieu ‘team’ most circumstances, purposes marketing a then new league AFL probably required innovation, my opine. The NFL numbering system 1973 on has regulated numerals by position (had Lance Alworth arrived in 1973 instead ’62 his rookie season when he wore #24, #19 would’ve been known even more so today for Unitas and Montana than it already is.

Ernie ‘Big Cat’ Ladd is the first player I recall wearing #99 in the AFL… whether or not he was the first AFL/pro football history, am uncertain. Noland ‘Supergnat’ Smith wore #1 for the Chiefs in his brief career AFL… that he was but 5’6 1/2 & 154 lbs. possibly made it a necessity. He wore #46 during the pre-season his rookie season in ’67 (good thing his last name was Smith instead of, oh… say ‘Schottenheimer’.

AAFC had an even more unique system: halfbacks #80’s, fullbacks #70’s, quarterbacks #60’s, ends #50’s, tackles #40’s, guards #30’s & centers #20’s. The CFL also had their own unique system; college game, a couple of players actually wore jersey #100 portion their careers.

What of those players who changed jersey numerals (perhaps more than once) during their pro career? Completists, is but a single card signed by a guy who sported two (or more) jersey numerals career considered sufficient?

Other rare exceptions, players such as the AFL’s Jim Otto (“aught-oh”) #00 (formerly #50) and NFL’s #0 ‘O’bert Logan (formerly #25) would never have been allowed; QB Otto Graham’s #60 become #14 another example in reverse come to mind – and what would the AFL been like sans jersey ‘Wahoo’ McDaniel? Today, he would be just another McDaniel nameplate no other reason NFL has no need to market the game known ‘America’s’, already drowning in dollar$. Aside from consistent numbering making easier the officials job citing rule infractions, necessity debatable as that battle conservatives/progressives. My belief, give people an inch of leeway & they try and take a mile, in the process ruining things for the rest.

Merry Christmas & Happy New Year.

🙂

I’ve been progressively ‘turned off’ by modern ‘professional sports’ variously, for years. Somewhere along the become gilded road, charm gave way greenback a greater extent than is tolerable, my taste. Perhaps it is the nature: what once was now passe. Can only say that if what passes today be considered ‘progress’, I’ve become my father; thank God for intact memory.

Marketing in sports is nothing new, sponsor advertising common too. Soccer in Europe, such is standard fare. In the US, NASCAR as well advertising at stadiums otherwise likewise not new. Too, MLB venues filled their outfield walls & game programs with ads early as 1900’s; today, it continues unbridled with stadium, field, scoreboard etc. naming right$.

Next evolution presents: ads on uniforms. Not only inevitable, in fact has already begun, right here the US. Not merely $ati$fied logo-ing to death jerseys, pants, shoes, socks & helmets (can we also squeeze in more ‘official’ league logos on the apparel?), comes now the embodiment walking, talking, breathing billboard: cue the PA announcer, “now playing QB and brought to you by (sponsor name, makers of …)”

Just a few years ago, NBA (remember them? I quit watching/caring years ago) Commissioner Adam Silver promised that ads on jerseys were “inevitable”. The All Star Game this year, 2015, ‘KIA’ symbol upon player jersey’s was validation it has already begun. It will not only continue, will increase (already promised for the 2016 & 2017 All Star Games.) Will regular season venue be far behind?

What once looked so beautiful in its simplicity & lack of excess uniforms NFL, MLB, NBA etc., has given way a bu$yness looks like 10 miles of bad road an Rand McNally road map.
NFL Commissioner Roger (The Dodger) Goodell denies it will happen NFL; call me Doubting Thomas. Is it reasonable to presume the NFL (no fund$ lost), most avaricious of all the turnip bleeders, can re$i$t? Look for it to happen as the day appends same wherein ‘all’ NFL teams will make post season due economic necessity, regular season but perfunctory.

Calgon, take me away! (back to the AFL/1960’s)

🙂