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CHARLOTTE HORNETS HELMET WORLD FOOTBALL LEAGUE "GAME HELMET" "HISTORY" WFL #23?

$ 118.53

Availability: 100 in stock
  • Sport: Football
  • All returns accepted: ReturnsNotAccepted
  • Condition: Used
  • Brand: Riddell
  • Product: Helmet
  • Team: Charlotte Hornets

    Description

    Charlotte Hornets football helmet. WFL. Game Used? History helmet?
    The
    Charlotte Hornets
    were an
    American football
    team in the short-lived professional
    World Football League
    . Despite their brief existence, the Hornets were North Carolina's first attempt at a major league football team, predating the
    Carolina Panthers
    by two decades. They were relocated to
    Charlotte, North Carolina
    , from
    New York City
    in the middle of the 1974 season.
    This is NOT a reproduction helmet. The warranty sticker on the inside has a date of July 1975. Which means this helmet is the correct year in which the Hornets played. On the inside is hand written "23". If indeed this is an official game used helmet, then it was worn by #23 Larry Shears. Shears was drafted by the Atlanta Falcons before joining the Hornets. I have no documentation stating this is  a "game used" helmet. I just know that the years match up and there was a #23 on the roster. Did the WFL produce helmets for sale during this time??? I don't know. I do know that sports memorabilia was not as massed produced as it is today. And the WFL was not as financially secure as the NFL was. This would make an awesome addition to any collection. Just add a period correct facemask and jaw pads and you have a piece of history!