Winter Auction 2018 Ending February 17
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 2/18/2018
Fresh to the hobby, this is the only Lions Sims jersey that has been Meigray photo matched, let alone to two games and FIVE Getty images.
Detroit Lions running back Billy Sims was one of the best tailbacks in the NFL during the early 1980’s, rushing for over 5,000 in his first half-decade in the NFL. Tragically, the 1978 Heisman Trophy winner saw his career cut short by a devastating knee injury, depriving the NFL of one of its most powerful and skilled rushers. Sims, a member of the College Football Hall of Fame, made three consecutive Pro Bowls to start his career, and led the NFL in rushing touchdowns as a rookie in 1980.
Sims wore this jersey during the 1981 season, and it has been photo matched to a pair of contests that season. The first, a nail-biting 28-23 road loss to the San Diego Chargers, took place on September 13th, 1981. Sims starred for the Lions at Jack Murphy Stadium, rushing for 98 yards and a touchdown while hauling in two catches for an additional 53 yards. Only a late John Capelleti touchdown plunge prevented the Lions from beginning the season with a 2-0 record. Sims also wore this jersey on November 8th, 1981, during a road game against the Washington Redskins at RFK Stadium. Sims did all he could to deliver the Lions a victory, rushing for an outstanding 159 yards and two scores, but a Mark Mosely field goal at the end of the fourth quarter gave the Redskins a close 33-31 victory.
This powder blue road jersey features Sims iconic number “20”, which was later worn by his successor in Detroit, Barry Sanders, screen-printed on the chest, back, and shoulders in gray and white numerals. “SIMS” is sewn on the back shoulders in white tackle twill over a matching powder blue nameplate. Two tags, a Lions tag and a Medalist Sand-Knit size “46” tag, are sewn on the front left tail of the jersey. This jersey shows ample evidence of use, including team repairs on the right sleeve. The MeiGray Group have photo matched this jersey to Chargers and Redskins game using Getty Images 105071297, 105071090, and 105071384. MeiGray have also photo matched this jersey to Getty Images 101626613 and 101626411, however they were unable to ascertain the date or location of the final two photographs. This item comes with a LOA from the MeiGray Group (153838).