This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 9/1/2012
During 1972, Dan Devine mistakenly issued #14 to rookie Jerry Tagge, a number that had been retired by Curly Lambeau in honor of Don Hutson. To fix the mistake, the numbers were stripped from two jerseys, and one was shipped to Don Huston according to the article which appeared in The Daily Northwestern, June 7, 1972. For the numbers to have been stripped, the jersey would have had to been the durene variety with sewn on numbering. With this example being made from mesh Sand Knit material, it could not be the first #14 issued to Tagge and later gifted to Hutson.
But, what we do know is that this is an authentic 1972-74 circa Green Bay Packers Sand Knit #14 jersey. We are assuming that the same mistake wasn’t made again, and that this jersey was made strictly as a presentation or display piece. With original number 14 on front and reverse, the Sand Knit tagging dates to the 1971-74 Dan Devine era.
The numbers and striping are heat pressed. Sewn in the collar is a size "46" size tag. The tail includes Packers exclusivity and a size tag as well. No use is shown and there are no remnants of a nameplate or where one once stood. Although the exact reason for issue is unknown, this jersey is consistent with game issued examples with respect to mesh body shell, tagging, and numbering for the era. LOA MEARS
w0461
(MEARS Auction LOA)