Albersheim's 2015 June Auction
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 6/7/2015
It would be hard to create a better movie name for a football player than Bronko Nagurski, which conjures up images of a hard as nails throwback type of player. However, Bronko Nagurski was a real person. In the 1930’s, during the height of the Great Depression, there was no bigger star other than perhaps Bronko’s Bears teammate, Red Grange in the entire NFL. For all the legendary performances and sheer brutality of running over would be tacklers that fans associate with the great Jim Brown; Bronko was the original Jim Brown.
At the University of Minnesota, Nagurski played 4 positions and was an All-American at both fullback and tackle. When he joined the Bears in 1930, his defensive skills were on par with his ability to run the ball on the offensive side of the line.
To read more about the Legend of Bronko Nagurski – Please click here to check out our Blog.
Offered is Bronko’s one page National Football League Uniform Player's Contract between Nagurski and the Chicago Bears Football Club, Inc. for the 1931 playing season (his second season in the league). It’s signed by Nagurski and National Football League president, George Halas. Dated September 18, 1931, the contract states his compensation as "$300 for each regularly scheduled League game played." Nagurski's and Halas's black fountain pen scripting can be seen near the bottom right corner and project "7" strength and clarity. The 8-1/4" x 10-3/4" paper is slightly discolored around the edges (especially the top right corner with a small piece missing), and bears two holes near line 7 (one is very minor). A tiny pinhole appears above the "h" in "18th" near the bottom left. Overall EX in appearance.
In 2014, Jim Brown’s rookie contract with the Cleveland Browns sold at auction for $29,625. We’ve only seen one other Nagurski player contract to ever come up for sale. To say that this is a rare and historical item deserving of a place in the Pro Football Hall of Fame would be an understatement.
Letter of Authenticity from Richard Albersheim and full PSA/DNA COA.
This lot has a Reserve Price that has not been met.