Norm Drucker Game Worn NBA Referee Jersey
Drucker was a major influence in professional basketball officiating for over thirty-five years. He refereed in the National Basketball Association from 1953 to 1969. In 1969, when the upstart American Basketball Association was raiding the NBA for talent, he, along with three other top NBA "lead" referees—Joe Gushue, Earl Strom and John Vanak—jumped to the ABA with multi-year contracts. As a result, professional officiating salaries dramatically increased. In the ABA, Drucker officiated and also served as the league's Supervisor of Officials. With the ABA-NBA merger in 1976, Drucker returned to the NBA. He retired as an official in 1977 after having officiated in over 25 NBA and ABA championship-round games and in 3 NBA and 3 ABA all-star games. In his 24-year career, Drucker was well-known for his even-handed officiating for visiting teams in an era when many NBA officials were criticized as "homers" - favoring the home team. On the court, he holds the distinction of being the only referee ever to eject Wilt Chamberlain from an NBA game, calling two technical fouls on Chamberlain on March 15, 1967. In the early 1960s he was involved in a heated "feud" with legendary Boston Celtic coach Red Auerbach. His second ejection of Auerbach in a one-month period led to the coach's suspension by NBA president Maurice Podoloff. On the front left breast is “NBA” embroidered in black on a white patch. On back is the referee’s number “7” in white tackle twill on a black tackle twill square patch. The jersey shows wear and appears to have no alterations of any kind. No tagging, but comes with a COA from Drucker’s son attesting that this was worn during games circa 1966. Drucker has HOF credentials. - NOT FOR SALE
Item: 2419
|
| Price: $0.00 | | |
