The market for graded sports tickets has experienced a major growth spurt over the last few years, especially Super Bowl tickets. SCP Auctions opened some eyes last spring when it sold a complete run of full, unused tickets to games 1-50 for over $100,000.
Collectors now have a chance to own some really big shoes, whose soles once belonged to a player who was the heart and soul of the New York Giants. The white, size 13 Nike/Pro cleats worn by Hall of Fame linebacker Lawrence Taylor during Super Bowl XXV at Tampa Stadium is part of SCP Auctions’ Mid-Summer Classic online auction, which runs through August 22.
SCP Auctions is proud to announce that it has secured the personal memorabilia collection of former NFL great Rod Woodson. The Hall of Fame defensive back’s coveted lineup of game-used jerseys, AFC Championship rings and multitude of accolades and trophies will hit the online auction block on Wednesday, April 8, at SCPAuctions.com. It features nearly 70 lots of Woodson’s most prominent items including dozens of game balls from his alma mater (Purdue) as well as his 17-year pro career, various MVP awards and his NFL 75th Anniversary All-Time Team trophy which he was awarded in 1994.
“I was blessed with a long career in the NFL,” said Woodson, who now serves as assistant defensive backs coach for the Raiders, “and I was able to acquire quite a few mementoes from my playing days. Now I feel good about consigning with SCP Auctions and sharing these with passionate football fans and collectors who would be interested in adding them to their collections.”
Woodson was a standout defensive back who played 17 hard-hitting seasons in the NFL from 1987 to 2003. A native of Fort Wayne, Indiana, he was a three-sport star at Snider High School before accepting a full scholarship to play football at Purdue University. As a Boilermaker, Woodson was a two-time All-America selection at defensive back (‘85 and ’86) and was a three-time All-Big Ten Conference First Team selection. He was also a member of Purdue’s track team and was twice awarded All-America honors as a hurdler after finishing second at the 1985 NCAA championships and third at the ‘87 NCAA championships, both times in the 55-meter event.
Selected in the first round of the ‘87 NFL Draft by the Pittsburgh Steelers (No. 10 pick overall), Woodson made a huge impact in the Steel City. For 10 seasons Woodson was one of the NFL’s most feared corners as he recorded 644 tackles, made 38 interceptions (five returned for touchdowns) and recovered 21 fumbles. In 1993, he was named the NFL’s AP Defensive Player of the Year. A six-time First-Team All-Pro selection, he was named to the Pro Bowl 11 times, setting a record for defensive backs. He won his only Super Bowl title as a free safety with the Baltimore Ravens in 2000 and completed his career with the Oakland Raiders in 2003. He finished with 71 interceptions (third best overall) and still owns the NFL record with 12 picks returned for touchdowns. To no one’s surprise, he was elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2009, in his first year of eligibility. -Terry Melia
