This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 6/26/2011
Lester McClain was a trailblazer in the truest sense. Annually, the Southeastern Collegiate Conference fields the top talent in college football. Back in early '70s, the conference was far behind in terms of racial equalization.
McClain became the first black player in SEC history to letter in the fall of 1968. In fact, McClain was a subject of Kenny Chesney's The Year of the Quarterback ESPN film. In 1971, the Bears drafted McClain in the ninth round. He played in preseason but did not survive final cutdowns. While with the Bears, McClain donned #19.
This size "48" King O'Shea cotton garment was worn by McClain during his brief NFL experience. Remnants of where "McCLAIN" was spelled on the reverse are still visible, including a few orange threads. When the NFL adopted names on the back of their jerseys, Chicago sewed the name directly to the reverse before eventually conforming with other teams and using nameplates.
The offered jersey shows decent use with a few hit marks present. All of the numbers are masterfully captured in two-color tackle twill and show signs of use. Side stripes are embedded on both sleeve ends.
Sewn in the tail is a King O'Shea size label. The jersey has graded out at a perfect A10.
NFL jerseys will never be able to match those worn in the 1960s and early '70s - before mesh ruined what was the best thing going.
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(MEARS LOA)