Lot # 1031: Tom Matte Baltimore Colts Game-Used & Inscribed Wristband with Signed, Inscribed Hand Base - One of Earliest Known Play Calling Wrist Bands with Matte LOA

Starting Bid: $500.00

Bids: 16 (Bid History)

Time Left: Auction closed
Lot / Auction Closed




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Item was in Auction "Summer Auction 2024",
which ran from 7/18/2024 12:00 PM to
8/1/2024 10:00 PM



An unusual treasure surfaces, with this Tom Matte game-used wristband, with play call codes. The old Baltimore Colts running back has stated he was the first to use play calls written on a wristband during NFL games. When quarterbacks Johnny Unitas and Gary Cuozzo were both sidelined late in the 1965 season, Matte was pressed into service as the Colts emergency QB by head coach Don Shula, who taped a list of play calls to wristband, which now resides at the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Matte performed admirably in the final regular-season game, and a playoff game. While the first wristband is in Canton, Matte has declared the wristband offered here as also having been game-used, making it one of the earliest to be employed in an NFL contest. A lined sheet of paper is included, with the corresponding plays written out, which were obviously committed to memory by Matte. Accompanying is an interesting plastic hand model with raised finger, and a display case. The play call band is positioned on the hand model's wrist, and Matte has signed ("8") on the back of the hand, with the inscriptions "1st Man to Use Wrist Band, 41." Comes with an LOA from Matte, stating these items are from his personal collection. Auction LOA from James Spence/JSA. Opening Bid $500.

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