Alan Ameche 1955-56 Game Worn Baltimore Colts Rookie Era Jersey – Photo Matched

Alan Ameche nicknamed "The Iron Horse", or simply "The Horse",  played six seasons with the Baltimore Colts in the NFL.  Ameche won the Heisman Trophy during his senior season in 1954 at the University of Wisconsin. He was elected to the Pro Bowl in each of his first four seasons in the league. He is famous for scoring the winning touchdown in overtime in the 1958 NFL Championship game against the New York Giants labeled "The Greatest Game Ever Played."

He played in the NFL from 1955-60 and in that time he was a 2 x NFL champion, 4 X Pro Bowl selection, 2 X First Team All Pro and 2 X Second Team All-Pro, NFL Rookie of the Year (1955), NFL rushing yards and TD leader in 1955, NFL 1950’s All-Decade Team.

Due to an achilles tendon injury in December 1960, Ameche finished a relatively short six-season NFL career with 4,045 rushing yards, 101 receptions for 733 yards and 44 touchdowns. He is one of only four players named to the NFL 1950's All-Decade Team not elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame.    If it weren’t for a shortened NFL career, Ameche would have been most likely inducted into Canton.  He is however, a member of the College Football Hall of Fame.

However, because Ameche was a winner at pretty much everything he did in life; he founded with former Colts teammate Gino Marchetti (who is a member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame), Ameche founded the Gino's Hamburgers Chain. He also founded the Baltimore-based Ameche's Drive-in restaurants.

We are proud to offer the first photo matched Alan Ameche Game Worn Jersey that was worn by Alan Ameche during his rookie year in 1955 and most likely during the 1956 season with the Baltimore Colts (as this was the style the Colts wore during the 1955 and 1956 NFL seasons).  In our 40 plus years in the hobby and having grown up in Baltimore, we can only recall seeing one other Ameche Colts game used jersey that was in a private collection.

 The blue dureen pullover garment features a white, tri-striped pattern on each arm.  Ameche’s #35 is also sewn on in white tackle twill on each arm sleeve as well as Ameche’s "35" is sewn to the back and front of this garment. Situated on the front tail, a "MacGregor" size "48" manufacturer's label is accompanied by a washing instructions tag.  Tagging is circa 1953-57.

Phenomenal Sunday wear is evident, with team repairs (more than 20 throughout).  This jersey has been hammered, but the equipment manager made sure to keep Ameche on the field by constantly repairing the jersey.  You have to remember that back in the 1950’s, most NFL team gave each player one home and one road jersey.

Historic and fitting of the finest collections and/or museums.

On a side note, in an article by the Chicago Tribune in 1992; this pretty much summed up the Baltimore Colts during the Alan Ameche era –

“Baltimore had a tradition with its Colts. They won eight division titles, three league championships and a Super Bowl crown. They had 56 consecutive sellouts. They had Johnny Unitas and Alan Ameche and The Greatest Game Ever Played.

Tickets were so hard to get that folks combed the obituary pages and made random calls to relatives of the deceased to see if they had seats to sell.

In Barry Levinson`s ''Diner,'' a young Baltimore man of the `50s puts his fiancé through a grueling Colts quiz before agreeing to walk to the altar. You can see the scene here

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xS3VuRbizDs&feature=youtu.be

Players came here and never left. A hungry Colts fan could dine at Johnny Unitas` Golden Arm, Bobby Boyd`s Hooligan`s, Ordell Braase`s Barbeque Pit or Bill Pellington`s Iron Horse. A Colts fan interested in fast food could eat at Gino`s, a megachain owned by Gino Marchetti and Ameche. A thirsty Colts fan could pick up a six-pack at Jim Parker`s liquor store, Artie Donovan`s place or Lenny Moore`s bar. A Colts fan could bowl at Alex Sandusky`s Colt Lanes.

The Baltimore Colts were more than a football team. They were men who lived and worked in Baltimore. Offensive lineman Dan Sullivan used to work for Mrs. Filbert`s Margarine until noon, then go to practice.

Sundays were football days at the park on 33rd Street. A day of worship.

''It was kind of a ritual,'' remembers Unitas, the messiah of Memorial Stadium  ''It was something people looked forward to all week long.''

NOTE - action shot of Ameche is from December 11, 1955 in a road game against San Francisco as Leo Nomellini looks on

NOT FOR SALE



Item: 10840

Price: $0.00
Alan Ameche 1955-56 Game Worn Baltimore Colts Rookie Era Jersey – Photo Matched