This lot is closed. Bidding ended on 12/10/2001.
Small as these glimmering solid-gold footballs are, they represent the glory of a very big man named George Connor, whom legendary Notre Dame coach Frank Leahy once called "indestructable", back when Collier's Magazine bestowed the tiny footballs on the members of its annual college football All-Star Team. Connor would reap two such Collier's AA designations, in 1946 and again in 1947. Connor was a starting tackle at Holy Cross in 1943, then went into the army to fight in World War II. Upon his return, he enrolled at Notre Dame and in 1946 not only won numerous All-American honors but the Outland Trophy as the nation's best defensive lineman. The two 10K gold Collier's footballs are 1" long and feature a silver eagle above a blue engraved "ND", "1946", and "Collier's All-America" on one side and "First Team, George Connor, Tackle, Notre Dame" on the other. There is also another 1" gold football won by Connor as an Extension All-American. This 10K gold ball has a red "E" and is engraved "1947 Extension All-American, Right Tackle" on one side and "George Connor" on the other. All the footballs are in near mint condition.