Way, way back when the NFL was founded in 1920, George Trafton was in the trenches for the Decatur Staleys, wreaking all kinds of havoc. The gritty center was there when the Chicago Staleys won their first championship in 1921, and he was still in the thick of things when the Staleys, re-branded as the Chicago Bears, won another NFL championship in 1932. Trafton also won a national championship at Notre Dame, under coach Knute Rockne in 1919. It's fair to say, that when Trafton was in the middle of things, good things happened for his team, and by period accounts, bad things happened to opposing players.





Get down and dirty, with this selection of (66) checks signed by Trafton. Elected to the Hall of Fame in 1964, as a member of the second class of inductees, Trafton passed away in 1971. These vintage checks date from 1955-1969, and they are generally attractive, with deference to one with a short tear. As you would expect when endorsing payments, Trafton's signatures are potent applications, ranging 8 to 10 in quality. Auction LOA from James Spence/JSA.

Opening Bid $100.