|
Penn State "Roosevelt Grier" Authentic Replica Helmet
NOTE: This Product Will Drop Ship From Direct From The Manufacturer.
At 6'5" and a bit less than the 284 pounds he spent his pro career at, Rosey Grier was a huge man for his era yet agile as a cat, quick and explosive enough to excel in both the discus and shotput for Penn State. Born in Georgia, Grier grew up in Roselle Park, N.J. and was recruited out of Abraham Clark H.S. Eligible as a freshman due to Korean War manpower shortage rules, he didn't play much but afterwards was a dominating force on both sides of the line. Considered to be inconsistent at times, Coach Rip Engle noted that Grier "was at his best against the good ones." Against a nationally noted Pitt team, he took over the 1952 game for an unexpected Lion win. In Penn State's opening day upset over number one ranked Illinois in 1954, it was Grier who controlled both sides of the line of scrimmage. An intelligent and sensitive individual, he did not need a "killer instinct" to excel, relying on strength, coordination, speed, and technique to dominate opponents. Grier was named only Third Team All American and perhaps a number of reasons clearly give an explanation. Eastern football in general, and Penn State football was not highly regarded in the South and Southwest although the Big Ten teams that faced Penn State knew otherwise. The regional prejudice was augmented by a racial bias with the belief that there was a quota system in place for the number of African-Americans named to the consensus All American team. Penn State's schedule was such that they played some schedules that included nationally-ranked powers while other years were spent banging heads against too many Boston University and Rutgers-type of teams, thus prejudicing some voters. Grier certainly played at an All American level while excelling in the field events and became the third round draft choice of the N.Y. Giants. He was part of a dominating Giant defense that won the world championship, spent a year out of football satisfying his military obligations as a drill sergeant based in Alabama, then returned to the Giants to continue a great pro career. Traded to the Rams in 1963, he was part of the storied Fearsome Foursome defense with tackle Merlin Olsen and ends Lamar Lundy and Deacon Jones. Grier retired after the 1966 season and remained in the public spotlight as a community activist, religious leader, and show business personality who was the first ex-pro football player to star in a network television series. Displaying his sensitive side, he recorded numerous songs and became an expert and sought-after speaker on needlepoint and knitting. Best known by a younger generation as the bodyguard for Senator Robert Kennedy when assassinated in 1968, Grier was first and foremost, a great football player.
|
Quantity in Basket:
None
Code: 2395086A0
Price: $199.99
Shipping Weight: 8.00 pounds
|
