This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 5/31/2015
Eric Dickerson (b. 1960), was a menacing 6’3”, 210 pound running back that played eleven season in the NFL and still holds the single season rushing record at 2,105 yards during the 1984 season. He was also a college Phenom with SMU. As freshmen Eric Dickerson and Craig James combined to rush for 1,239 yards in 1979, and the “Pony Express” was born.
Regarding the remainder of his college career, according to his website, www.ericdickerson.com , Dickerson gained 4,450 yards on 790 carries to break Earl Campbell’s Southwest Conference record for yards and attempts. His 48 career touchdowns tied Doak Walker’s SMU total for career scoring. In his senior year despite splitting time with Craig James (the other member of the Pony Express), Dickerson finished third in the Heisman Trophy voting, behind Herschel Walker and John Elway. He was also a First-team All-American in 1982 and a Second-team All-American in 1981. In 2009, he was inducted into the SMU Athletics Hall of Fame.
For this lot, MEARS is offering a 1979-81 circa Eric Dickerson SMU Road Jersey with accompanying provenance from the original owner who states he purchased the shirt directly from the SMU team equipment manager at a sports memorabilia show in Dallas, TX in November, 1982. The remainder of the Letter of Provenance reads,
“I took the two jerseys (other was a Craig James) to an SMU basketball game in December, 1982, hoping to get both players to sign them. Eric Dickerson was at the game, and he was surprised that I had the jersey and after inspecting the jersey, he confirmed that it was a jersey that he had worn. He first signed it on the red number, and was concerned that it wouldn’t show up well, so he signed it again on the collar. I personally guarantee that the jerseys are authentic.” Signed, Ronnie Perry
MEARS has also inspected the shirt and verified the following:
Style: Issued as the chain link white mesh pull over, as was popular during the era, the shirt was cut off (exposed belly) directly below the #19. The number 19 is applied via red on blue applique on the sleeves, front and reverse. SMU appears on the front with the same style application of applique. Crew neck was manufactured from a white ribbed material. No name was ever applied on the reverse, as the practice was allowed at SMU during the era.
The style was confirmed as being correct to have been worn by Eric Dickerson during the 1979-81 era. This was verified via accompanying photo documentation.
Year: Per the style of the shirt, Eric Dickerson’s career at SMU, and the accompanying recollection of the original owner via his letter of provenance, the shirt dates to the 1979-81 era.
Manufacturer (Fab Knit): Located at 1415 North 4th St, WACO, TEXAS, 76707, at one time the company supplied Baylor University, and every school in the now defunct Southwest Conference except Texas A&M. Even the Dallas Cowboys bought gym shorts and practice jerseys from the company. The Fab Knit tag appears in the collar and the Fab Knit Size tag, “S”, appears on the outside bottom of the shirt.
Available images document the presence of the tag on the outside of the shirt. This tag varies from some 1982 dated examples that have entered the hobby, and MEARS assumes this may have been an earlier (pre 1982) version of the tag.
Game Use: Shirt exhibits moderate game use most noticeable in the area of the collar and a stain near the bottom of the 19.
Provenance: Shirt comes with a letter of provenance from Ronnie Perry stating he purchased the shirt during 1982, copy enclosed.
Autograph: A vintage “Eric Dickerson, #19” autograph appears on the front collar in blue ball point pen. Another Dickerson autograph is also found on the front 9.
Final Grade (MEARS A10): When examining and comparing the jersey to the 5 categories of evaluation per the MEARS Official Worksheet, MEARS determined the following: Zero points were deducted. The shirt is consistent with respect to style, size, manufacturer, and comes with provenance stating the shirt was purchased from the team in 1982.
LOA Troy Kinunen / MEARS
(JSA Auction Letter)