One Sports Fan Memorabilia Collection Story

Every sports memorabilia collection is unique and reflects the unique story of the collector. We were surprised (in a very good way) when we found one of our customers (Aaron from Austin, TX) has nearly 50 of our display cases. So, we asked him to send us some pictures. And what really stood out to me was how his collection was so eclectic. Most collectors (like me) collect stuff from whatever team or team they root for. It's a natural evolution usually beginning as a child and usually rooting for the home team. You get some memorabilia along the way and then start collecting it.

But Aaron's collection included so many FANTASTIC pieces of memorabilia and from many different teams and players. So, I asked him about that. Here's his story in his own words:

"My Dad gave me a ball signed by the Cleveland Browns for my birthday some 40 years ago when I was maybe 10. I used to throw the ball around, so you can imagine the signatures haven’t stood the test of time so well… but of course I still have the ball.

Maybe 15 years ago when I would go to Vegas and win, I would look in one of the collectibles shops and over the years I bought a Sandy Koufax ball to give to my Dad, or a Jim Brown jersey for myself, a Duke Snider autographed picture for my Dad, a Lebron James MVP ball, and probably one of the last things I bought there was a Kyrie Irving Rookie fo the Year ball.

A nice start to some momentos, and when my father passed away in 2013 I brought home the things I had bought for him and joined our two little collections.

If you can't tell already, he was a Brooklyn Dodgers fan as a kid, and together we were Cleveland Browns, Indians, and Cavs fans even though we relocated to Texas 30 years ago.

I was a big Bernie Kosar fan and found his helmet, as well as HOF Ozzie Newsome (we forgave him for going to the Ravens). More recent Browns additions are future HOF Joe Thomas, and the newbies like Baker Mayfield, Nick Chubb, and Kareem Hunt.

I started to find autographed helmets of players that I enjoyed watching as a kid, or that I really enjoy today… like Joe Montana, Jerry Rice, Reggie White, Barry Sanders, Drew Brees, Jim Kelly, Dan Marino… and quickly started to build a collection. Eventually I found several lists of the greatest NFL players of all time, both a top 100 from a year or two ago, and a top 50 that came out just this fall. I started looking to fill in some holes and had a blast, with my two sons, bringing in beautiful helmets from some of the all-time greats.

I now have 42 or so helmets, numerous balls, one of Ray Lewis’ cleats… some of the real beauties are a ball signed by the 5 best running backs of all time (Payton, Smith, Gore, Sanders, Peterson), a football from the last game played by the Washington Redskins, and helmets from Justin Tucker right after he kicked his longest ever 66 yard field goal, Mean Joe Greene with his stats, Johnny Unitas, the GOAT Tom Brady, legends Otto Graham, Gale Sayers, just acquired Sammy Baugh, Earl Campbell, Dick Butkus, and more!

I have about a dozen baseballs, including my crown jewel with a perfect Jackie Robinson autograph and I’d love to think about how to build a more impressive box possibly from you guys to hold that ball. It’s in an acrylic box from PSA, but nothing worthy of Jackie Robinson. I have a sketch of Babe Ruth that also has a beautiful, bold signature from the late 40’s before he passed away, and about a dozen bats that I keep in clear plastic tubes.

It’s been so much fun growing the collection, my kids love it as do my visitors, and it grows probably faster than it should (lol).

I love your cases, they really are the perfect vessel for the helmets, and I’ll look more now that I’ve seen your website. I think 35 of my helmets are in your cases… the freedom to match the risers and various bases with each helmet adds to the fun."