The Chicago Rockets were an American football team that played in the All-America Football Conference from 1946 to 1949. During the 1949 season, the team was known as the Chicago Hornets. Unlike the Cleveland Browns, San Francisco 49ers, and Baltimore Colts, the franchise was not one of the three AAFC teams that joined the National Football League prior to the 1950 season.
The Chicago Rockets, were owned by Chicago trucking executive John L. "Jack" Keeshin, president of the National Jockey Club that owned and operated Sportsman's Park race track in Cicero, Illinois. He originally attempted to purchase the Chicago White Sox from the Comiskey family but was turned down. Chicago Tribune sports editor Arch Ward suggested starting a pro football team in the AAFC. In a market where the NFL Chicago Bears and the Chicago Cardinals were already well established, Keeshin stood little chance of success. He did cause a stir by attempting to sign Chicago Bears stars Sid Luckman, George McAfee and Hugh Gallerneau without success.
This jacket remains in fairly good condition with a number of holes and a few areas where the fabric has worn thin as the only detracting factors. The jacket lacks the size tag, which appears to have been originally attached beneath the Lake Superior manufacturer's tag in the collar. The 'Chicago Rockets' team logo shows light signs of toning from age. The Zipper is still in working order, and the original shoelace is still present around the collar. This is one of only two known examples and the only one in private hands and the only piece of documented game worn equipment that can be attributed to the Rockets that we are aware of and one of the greatest pieces of AAFC game worn items we have ever seen.
Jacket grades out at the MEARS Authentic grade as we were unable to attribute use to any specific player.
Collection of MEARS Staff.