1973 Practice Worn Miami Dolphins Helmet Signed by Bob Griese from The Bill Fundaro Collection - Super Bowl Championship Seaso...

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1973 Practice Worn Miami Dolphins Helmet Signed by Bob Griese from The Bill Fundaro Collection - Super Bowl Championship Season! A perennial contended on the 1970's, Don Shula's Miami Dolphins won two consecutive Super Bowls after going 14-0 in 1972 and 12-2 in 1973. The autographed practice worn helmet offered here dates from the latter of those two glorious campaigns.

Riddell H9 Micro-Fit model helmet features while shell with all original components, including side decals, orange/aqua center striping, front "Riddell" bumper, three-bar facemask (detached but present), interior padding system, and 1973 timeclock. Signed by Bob Griese on the outer shell in faded aqua sharpie. Exhibits wonderful practice wear and presents admirably. Note: The facemask could be easily re-attached with retro clips if the wining bidder so desired. Letter of provenance from Bill Fundaro's daughter. LOA from Heritage Auctions. Pre-certified by PSA/DNA.

More Information: The Bill Fundaro Collection

They lovingly called him "Foul Ball Billy" during his fifty years of service to the Detroit Tigers franchise. The long-time usher got his start with the ballclub during the unforgettable season of 1968 that saw pitcher Denny McLain record what remains (likely for eternity) the last thirty-win season en route to World Championship glory. Fundaro's last season was 2019 and he passed away in October of last year after spending the 2020 season locked out of the gates of Major League Baseball by the global pandemic.

Fundaro got his nickname from his primary role of retrieving balls off the screen behind the plate at Tiger Stadium and giving them to umpires or fans. In honor of his Golden Anniversary with the team, Fundaro threw out a first pitch in 2018, earning a loud ovation from the many fans who had come to know him like family.

The ballplayers, both Tigers and visitors, likewise were drawn to Fundaro's unfailingly friendly demeanor, gifting him a wide array of game used bats and the like which appear upon the following pages. There's even a remarkable supply of material from beyond our national pastime, as Fundaro didn't rest during the baseball offseason, photographing Detroit Lions and Michigan Wolverines games and participating in a wide array of sports-related fundraising efforts. Heritage is please to present this remarkable evidence of a life well-lived, each item accompanied by a letter of provenance from Fundaro's daughter.