This lot is closed. Bidding ended on 5/31/2012.
Willie Wood was not drafted by any NFL team and had to try out before the Packers signed him as a free agent in 1960. Wood won All-NFL honors nine times in a nine-year stretch from 1962 through the 1971 season, participated in the Pro Bowl eight times, and played in six NFL championship games, winning all but one. Wood was the starting free safety for the Packers in Super Bowl I against the Kansas City Chiefs and Super Bowl II against the Oakland Raiders. In Super Bowl I, he recorded a key interception that helped the Packers put the game away in the second half. In Super Bowl II, he returned 5 punts for 35 yards, including a 31-yard return that would stand as the record for longest punt return in a Super Bowl until Darrell Green's 34-yard return in Super Bowl XVIII. He was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1989. This jersey was originally sourced from Phil Bengtson, the Packers Defensive Coordinator from 1959-67, who was also Wood’s presenter when he was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1989. This shirt was worn by Willie Wood in the 1962 NFL Championship Game at Yankee Stadium where the Packers defeated the NY Giants 16-7 and is a photomatch to that historic game. The bottom of this jersey has been cut with no manufacturer’s tags remaining. Inside the rear collar is the “44” size flag tag. Player number “24” appears on the front, back and on both sleeves in green tackle twill. Wood has signed the back in black marker rating a 7-8. Wood has also signed the front left shoulder adding the inscription “To The Bengstons Best of Strength” in black marker rating a 7. There are numerous team repairs throughout the shirt including some over the twill. The jersey has no tags remaining, was presented to us as game-used and in our opinion, shows outstanding use. Other than what is mentioned, there appear to be no further alterations of any kind. Accompanied by a LOA from JSA for the signatures. Further accompanied by a letter of provenance which states, in part, “...My Grandfather (Phil Bengston) received (this jersey) from Willie Wood after introducing wood on his HOF Induction day 1989...it has been in our families possession ever since”.