Since the first one was played in 1966, the Super Bowl has been the stage on which some of the greatest moments in sports history has unfolded. Yet none was as exciting or momentous as the underdog New York Jets beating the Baltimore Colts in Super Bowl III. That game was the first in which the upstart AFL was able to prove they were not only equal to, but actually superior than the older and more established NFL. While Baltimore had an undeniably thoroughly professional and talented team led by their crewcut-wearing quarterback Johnny Unitas, the Colts represented the “establishment," the old way of doing things. The Jets on the other hand were scrappy, the new kids with something to prove to their elders. No one better personified this than their flamboyantly shaggy haired quarterback, Broadway Joe Namath. And leading this group of upstarts was a man who himself had something to prove, coach Weeb Ewbank.

     Ewbank led the Baltimore Colts to two consecutive NFL Championships in 1958-1959 before being sacking after the 1962 season. Weeb was promptly hired by the New York Titans of the fledgeling AFL. Soon renamed the Jets, the team had several unsuccessful seasons while Ewbank’s assembled the perfect combination with which to topple the dominant NFL. By 1968 he had that team. After stunning his former team by winning Super Bowl III 16-7, Coach Embank was awarded this mini championship trophy. Intricately crafted by Tiffany and Co. of New York, the 8-inch high trophy with a 3 x 3 x 3 inch triangle base features a sterling silver football atop a wooden pyramid base upon which the score of the game is engraved above the name of the winning coach: “WEEB EWBANK”. The logos of two rival football leagues are engraved as well, equal in size. The wooden base has some dings and abrasions, mostly along its edges. The black lacquer coating has chipped in some places, most noticeably on the back top edge where the football is mounted. The sterling silver shows surface oxidation, a condition which presumably can be remedied with anti-tarnish restoration. A tremendous piece of football history that represents the fruits of victory from the most exciting Super Bowl of all time.

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