This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 2/3/2013
Offered is a matching jacket to the 1948 Buford Ray game worn jersey offered in this auction.
A free agent from Vanderbilt in 1938, Buford ‘Baby’ Ray was a dominating blocker and defensive tackle.
The co-captain of the Vanderbilt University Commodores in 1937, the 6’6” Ray was a giant of a lineman in his time. He weighed more than 280 pounds in college but dropped 30 pounds in his first season with the Green Bay Packers.
He blocked a punt for a safety against Detroit in 1939 in a game the Packers won 12-7. Ray played 11 seasons, from 1938-48. He was a member of two Packers championship teams. Ray became a long-time Packers scout after his retirement.
This is the first example of this style jacket that MEARS has evaluated.
Manufactured by Wilson (black tag with red lettering, 1948-55), this wool pull over jacket has full length sleeves which are trimmed in double stripe yellow trim. The collar has one single yellow stripe. “PACKERS” (3 ½”) lettering appears in yellow cotton on the reverse. The jacket remains in excellent condition, with 12 moth holes on the reverse near the upper collar and 5 on the front. The holes are almost impossible to see due to the navy collar, but mentioned for the sake of accuracy.
Jacket shows heavy overall game wear, but still displays near mint. First example examined by MEARS. LOA Troy R. Kinunen / MEARS
(B0237)