There is no more unique position in all of professional sports than the NFL running back, each with their own distinct style, yet united in a common purpose. Some of the NFLs greatest have built a long standing legacy, while other careers have been fleeting, like a streak of lightning, shining brightly only to fade just as quickly. Every once in a while, one man transcends all others, even the game itself, to carve out a new standard and forever change the dynamic for which all future greats will be compared. In the 1970's, that man was O.J. Simpson!
Born Orenthal James Simpson, O.J. was a superstar at the University of Southern California, leading the nation in rushing with 1,451 yards and 11 touchdowns in 1967, and retaining his rushing crown with an encore performance that included 1,705 yards and 22 touchdowns in 1968, earning him the Heisman Trophy in the most lopsided margin of victory ever. Unquestionably the best college football player in the land, Simpson was selected by the lowly Buffalo Bills, a 1-12-1 team in 1968, with the first overall pick of the 1969 draft.
O.J struggled early with poor Bills teams, averaging only 622 yards per season for the first three years. However, by the fourth season, an improved offense line, anchored by guard Reggie McKenzie, gave him the support he needed to showcase his superior running ability, scampering for 1,251 yards and leading the league in rushing, earning O.J. his first trip to the Pro-Bowl. While he finally was living up to the expectations placed on him following his stellar career at USC, no one expected what was about to come! With the addition of future Hall of Fame offensive lineman Joe DeLamielleure, the Buffalo Bills' “Electric Company” offensive line was about to make O. J. Simpson’s fifth year in the league an NFL record shattering experience! Simpson and the Bills opened the 1973 season in New England, beating the Patriots 31-13, with Simpson running all over New England for 250 yards. Simpson would post eight more 100-yard games before closing the season with consecutive 200-yards games, cementing his place in the NFL record book as the first player ever to run for over 2,000 yards in a season, all when the NFL still had a 14-game season format. From 1972 to 1976, Simpson averaged 1,540 rushing yards per season, 5.1 yards per carry, and won the NFL rushing title four times, while ranking #2 on the all-time rushing list at the time of his retirement.
We are proud to offer a truly unique piece worthy of inclusion at Canton’s Football Hall of Fame, but offered to you. This is a game-used, blue mesh jersey, worn by Hall of Famer O.J. Simpson during his record setting 2000-yard season in 1973. On the front tail is the Champion manufacturers wash tag, size Large. On the front, back, and on each shoulder is the player number “32” screen printed in white on red. Across the back is “SIMPSON” screen printed in white. Each sleeve is cuffed. The jersey shows game use and appears to have no alterations of any kind. Own an important piece of NFL history! LOA from Grey Flannel, Mile High Card Co.