Guest Floyd The Barber Posted March 27, 2006 Share Posted March 27, 2006 NFL RENAMES OFFICIAL WILSON GAME BALL IN HONOR OF WELLINGTON MARA ORLANDO -- March 27, 2006 -- NFL clubs today unanimously endorsed a recommendation to return the name of the official game ball to “The Duke” in honor of the late New York Giants owner WELLINGTON MARA, one of the most beloved and respected figures in professional sports history. Mara died last October. Mara, who spent 81 years with the New York Giants and made numerous contributions to the NFL, was named Wellington by his father after the Duke of Wellington. He was given the nickname “The Duke” as a youngster by Giants players. The NFL game ball was known as “The Duke” from 1941-69. The NFL first used a ball in honor of Mara called “The Duke” in 1941 at the suggestion of Chicago Bears owner George Halas, who had helped arrange with Giants owner Tim Mara (Wellington’s father) for Wilson to become the league’s official supplier of game balls. “The Duke” ball was used through 1969 but was discontinued prior to the 1970 season, the first to be played in the NFL-American Football League merger. The NFL and AFL continued using a Wilson football, but with a new design. The official NFL Wilson football will continue to be manufactured in Ada, Ohio. Wilson recently extended its NFL contract through 2011, which will mark the 70th year of partnership, believed to be one of the longest agreements in sports history. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
UK-Giantsfan Posted March 27, 2006 Share Posted March 27, 2006 very cool indeed Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Floyd The Barber Posted March 27, 2006 Share Posted March 27, 2006 they should imprint a picture of the Dukes face, with that squint...now that would be cool Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Storm Posted March 27, 2006 Share Posted March 27, 2006 Shockey is from Ada, OK, isnt he? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HOUND Posted March 27, 2006 Share Posted March 27, 2006 Wow .. that's awesome. I had a "Duke" NFL football when I was a kid but had no idea it referred to Wellington Mara. Learn something every day. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Floyd The Barber Posted March 27, 2006 Share Posted March 27, 2006 Wow .. that's awesome. I had a "Duke" NFL football when I was a kid but had no idea it referred to Wellington Mara. Learn something every day. well, need i say the FAB 4 are here to teach... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
27Hampton Posted March 27, 2006 Share Posted March 27, 2006 Wow .. that's awesome. I had a "Duke" NFL football when I was a kid but had no idea it referred to Wellington Mara. Learn something every day. Same here. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HOUND Posted March 27, 2006 Share Posted March 27, 2006 Same here. Hamp, you and I probably played against each other in sandlot games! What town you grow up in? We old school guys gotta stick together! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chopper Posted March 27, 2006 Share Posted March 27, 2006 This is amazing, and will pay great respect to Mara. Maybe it will also encourage us a little more to bring it all home. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Plax 4 Prez Posted March 27, 2006 Share Posted March 27, 2006 they should imprint a picture of the Dukes face, with that squint...now that would be cool I'd be scared to catch that.. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Firstnten Posted March 27, 2006 Share Posted March 27, 2006 which means it will be time to spend 80 bucks on another ball... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Nutty Sack Posted March 27, 2006 Share Posted March 27, 2006 which means it will be time to spend 80 bucks on another ball... Chump change I suppose for a man of your means. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Firstnten Posted March 27, 2006 Share Posted March 27, 2006 Chump change I suppose for a man of your means. I like the gold NFL logo.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gateb Posted March 27, 2006 Share Posted March 27, 2006 Wow, two awesome pieces of news I just got when I turned on the computer. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KyleG490 Posted March 28, 2006 Share Posted March 28, 2006 Wow, two awesome pieces of news I just got when I turned on the computer. is the other news that u saved a bunch of money on ur car insurance by switching 2 geico? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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