1960 Don Meredith Game Worn Dallas Cowboys Rookie Uniform....

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1960 Don Meredith Game Worn Dallas Cowboys Rookie Uniform. "Dandy" ensemble rates high among the most important Dallas Cowboy lots ever to reach the public auction block, believed to be the only surviving uniform from the historic debut season of the franchise which would come to be known as "America's Team." The ideal vintage alone is enough to establish the offering as a genuine hobby treasure, but the appeal increases exponentially when we recall that the number "17" which adorns the unmistakable blue and white durene relic was worn by the great Don Meredith, who served as back-up to Eddie LeBaron during the Cowboys' infancy before taking the lead role in 1962.

Born and bred in northern Texas, Meredith became a star quarterback at Southern Methodist University before joining the 1960 Cowboys as a rookie. He would wear the Lone Star for the entirety of his NFL tenure to conclude a lifetime career having never played a home game at any level more than thirty miles from downtown Dallas. This true "favorite son" joined Don Perkins as the second and third inductees (after founder Bob Lilly) of the Dallas Cowboys Ring of Honor in 1976 to commemorate a remarkable NFL career which began with the presented uniform.

The jersey styling will be instantly recognizable to fans of recent "throwback" uniforms worn by the Cowboys to commemorate its past, the white shoulder sections with blue stars and numerals representing the height of football fashion. The white tackle twill numerals on front and verso are noticeably more narrow than subsequent seasons, allowing definitive first-year designation despite the fact that the general style was utilized for a few subsequent campaigns. Proper local Dallas "Southland" label appears at interior of the unique "crossover" collar, with a size "44" tag adjoining. Crotchpiece remains complete, with original buttons.

The matching "Southland" pants cement first-season status, as the contract for Cowboys uniform pants was shifted to "Red Fox" in 1961. The gorgeous size "34" garment features a satin twill front and belt which provides enormous aesthetic appeal to match its historical relevance. Number "17" appears in vintage marker at interior fly. Our consignor, a former Dallas Cowboys ballboy, explains that the laces in the fly appear for display, but that Meredith did not favor the crotch lacing for game wear.

The simply phenomenal uniform exhibits solid but reasonable wear, as to be expected for a rookie back-up quarterback. Picture-perfect from top to bottom, it's a piece of which only the finest private collections are worthy. LOA from consignor, former Dallas Cowboys employee. LOA from Heritage Auctions.