This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 1/28/2018
In 1965, businessman David Dixon saw a market for a professional football league that would play in the summer (during NFL and college football's off-season), and the ideas behind the United States Football League (USFL) were conceived. Developing the "Dixon Plan" - a blueprint for the USFL based upon securing NFL-caliber stadiums in top TV markets, securing a national TV broadcast contract, and controlling spending - Dixon's dreams finally came to fruition in the spring of 1983. Although the league was short-lived, ceasing operations in 1986 before its season was scheduled to begin, it is historically significant for the level of talent it acquired in its brief tenure, signing three consecutive Heisman Trophy winners as well as several future Pro Football Hall of Fame members. Offered here is the first ever football to be used in a USFL game, the kick-off ball used on March 6th, 1983 between the Chicago Blitz and the Washington Federals. Immediately after the kick-off, the officials called a time out to retire the ball, which was then presented to David Dixon as the founder of the league. The ball shows light wear and toning and has a handwritten note across one of the panels describing its significance. Accompanied by a Letter of Authenticity from USFL founder David Dixon.