1978-80 Bob Griese Game Worn Miami Dolphins Jersey, MEARS A10....

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$7,767.50 Bid Source: Internet bidder

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1978-80 Bob Griese Game Worn Miami Dolphins Jersey, MEARS A10. The lead man on three consecutive trips to the Super Bowl for the Miami Dolphins, quarterback Bob Griese absolutely dominated opposing defenses as a professional and collegiately during his days as a Purdue Boilermaker. A member of both the Pro Football and College Halls of Fame, Griese has his No. 12 retired by Miami, and is also a member of the Miami Dolphins honor roll.

Offered here is a perfect MEARS A10 jersey that the Indiana native wore during the later part of his storied career. Exhibiting exemplary use, with scuff, scrapes and a large team repair on the back, it displays screened-on numerals and a sewn-on name on the back. The proper "Russell [size] L" tag is in the tail, and it is all original with no alternations whatsoever. A truly Hall of Fame-caliber piece representing one of the most legendary passers in football history. LOA from MEARS, A10. Letter of provenance from Ian Kindler. LOA from Heritage Auctions.

The John Kindler Collection

It has been twenty years since John Kindler left his family one of the most significant personal collections of game worn football jerseys ever assembled, and it took that long for the Kindlers to come to terms with the notion of parting with it. Kindler's son Ian is quick to report that the pursuit of the next gridiron garment was his father's greatest passion, his collection the thing that most succinctly defined this important pioneer of the hobby. Ian's fondest memories of his father involve their shared pursuit of the next addition to the collection. "He got into it first through UCLA equipment managers," Ian explained. "UCLA was his first love. Then it grew through those relationships, cold calling, and the fact that he somehow knew the sport would explode and very few were doing what he did. He focused on game used jerseys. Somehow he knew that would matter. UCLA, NFL, Heisman winners, and certain UCLA-related NBA was his focus."

By the time of the elder Kindler's 1994 passing, his collection had swollen to over 250 jerseys, representing two decades of single-minded determination. In his earliest days of the hunt, just after his graduation from college, John Kindler was among the first game used jersey collectors in the country, reaching out to team sources who were often confused at the young man's request for a dirty, old shirt. But Kindler's charm won most targets over. "He was very social, personable. He'd reach out to equipment managers first, then assistant coaches, management, and even head coaches," his son reported.

Though his collection may have had little value in its earliest days when few collected game used gear, today the Kindler Collection is estimated at over a half a million dollars. Highlights include collegiate jerseys from Heisman winners Barry Sanders, Tim Brown, Bo Jackson and Herschel Walker, and professional gamers from Tony Dorsett, Roger Staubach, Joe Montana, Jerry Rice, Bob Griese and more.

Heritage Auctions is proud to represent this important collection, and to honor this essential early pioneer of the sports collectibles hobby. The earliest offerings from The John Kindler Collection appear in our July 2014 Platinum Night auction, and our November 2014 Signature auction will highlight dozens of important jerseys from this unique assembly. All will be accompanied by a letter of provenance from Ian Kindler.

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