This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 5/22/2017
As Chris Berman used to chant with booming sound effects on NFL Primetime, "Natrone Means Business." In an NFL career spanning eight seasons, Means spent his first five in San Diego beginning with his rookie campaign of 1993 when he sported this game-worn Chargers road jersey hammered with use. As a rookie, Means carried the ball 160 times for 645 yards (averaging 4.0 yards per carry) and scored eight rushing touchdowns. A year later he would rumble for 1,350 yards and 12 TDs as the Chargers advanced to the Super Bowl. The jersey displays incredible wear with over a dozen team repairs (we counted 17 total!) and multiple contact marks from various on-field collisions sustained by the burly running back.
The Russell Athletic white mesh jersey carries all the appropriate tags on the lower front tail, including [size] 50, positioned next to the washing instruction tag and a pair of flag tags of "4” Extra Length" and "100% Nylon." The embroidered Russell logo appears on the left shoulder and the iconic embroidered NFL emblem logo appears on the front at the bottom of the V neck. Means’ uniform number “20” appears on the front and back of the jersey, as well as both sleeves, heat-pressed in Navy blue outlined in yellow. The Chargers lightning bolt emblem graces both sleeves, also heat-pressed in white outlined in Navy blue and yellow. Finally, his last name – MEANS – appears across the back of the shoulders via a separate, sewn-on white mesh nameplate sporting black letters.
The consignor is one of the most passionate Chargers collectors around and acquired this rare Means gamer at a local San Diego charity auction to benefit the military in 1994. He has provided two "8 by 10" photo-matches (incl. 10/10/93 @ Pittsburgh) and has determined that this was Means' only road jersey from his '93 rookie season.