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Lot Number: 88
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Lot 88
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| Description: Scarce Los Angeles Rams professional model helmet with experimental radio system c.1950s with possible use by Norm Van Brocklin. Highly uncommon early helmet style created in the manner of the original helmet devised by two inventors, John Campbell and George Sarles. The two men had originally brought the innovative and very secretive idea to head coach Paul Brown of the Cleveland Browns in the Spring of 1956. The two men had surmised that a small radio receiver installed in the helmet would allow Coach Brown to communicate directly with the quarterback instead of sending the plays in with a substitute player. The idea was top secret and the Browns were able to use the device in as many as three games after an initial experimentation in a preseason game against Detroit. The news leaked out and other NFL teams scrambled to match the Browns new found technological advantage, but without much success. NFL commissioner Bert Bell believed that the Browns had an unfair advantage, and on October 18, 1956 the "radio helmet" was banned by the league. The offered example has a hand painted exterior shell which has masked any manufacturer's stampings that may have once been visible. Its interior leather padding remains intact, albeit dry from age, with some cracking to its core support. The interior padding itself is literally hard wired with a radio receiver inclusive of a cord with plug that protrudes from the rear of the helmet. It is accompanied by a matching set of headphones which were presumably used to radio in the signals from the coach to the quarterback. While there are no definitive markings or player labeling visible on the helmet, it is highly likely that this example was either worn by, or created for use by, the Rams quarterback Norm Van Brocklin. It was originally given to a family friend along with the other Van Brocklin items in the auction, and is being offered publicly for the first time. Based on the extremely small window of time in which this style of helmet was produced, it is certainly one of, if not the rarest professional helmet styles extant. This attribute coupled with its likely use by HOF quarterback Norm Van Brocklin solidifies its significance as an important NFL equipment artifact. Includes LOA from Hunt Auctions: VG-EX |
| Estimated Price: ($5,000.00-$7,500.00) |
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