AboutDuke Ha Expertise I have extensive knowledge of the 1990's-Present Dallas Cowboys teams. Specifically, team uniforms, equipment, and so forth. I own numerous Cowboys memorabilia and would love to one day write a book on the evolution of the team's uniforms dating back to their inception in 1960. I may not be able to answer most Cowboys questions prior to the 1990's as I was but a youth at the time :-).
Experience I try to make annual trips to see the Cowboys in Texas every season. I have a library of various Dallas Cowboy books, football cards, player photos, DVD's and VHS tapes. I have recorded nearly all games from 1998-2007. I am also an artist, so most of my collections such as cards, photos, or memorabilia are not for value, but rather for reference. I appreciate the visual asthetics of the Dallas Cowboys and the game of football. As a hobby, I occasionally customize and paint McFarlane Dallas Cowboy figures to near exact detail as their live counterparts. I also own several game used items, autographs, and roughly 10-12 authentic jerseys with 3 different manufacturers.
Education/Credentials Associates of Arts in Liberal Arts, Associates of Arts in Graphic Design, Bachelor of Arts in Studio Arts with emphasis in Illustration. My dream would be, of course, to work for the Dallas Cowboys organization possibly for their marketing and design team. The Dallas Cowboys annual bluebooks and game programs have always interested me.
Question Just wondering if you can help me out as far as determining if the jerseys I own are truly game issued. The 94 and 96 E Smith and 95 Aikman jerseys in question were purchased from a memorabilia shop in Richardson Texas. The Smith jersey has a small "94" tag to the left of the Apex label on the front of the jersey. To the right of the Apex label are smaller "44" and "Long" tags. The front of the jersey also contains the 75th NFL Anniversary patch. The nameplate on the back of the jersey seems to be made of a different material (almost shiney irridescent) compared to "authentic" store purchased jerseys. The screened numbers also seem thicker than store jerseys. When I asked the owner of the shop, he said the game issued jerseys numbers and nameplates were made of different materisls so they would appear sharper/clearer for television broadcasts. The Aikman jersey is from 95 and it is the navy double star style. The "95" tag is again located to the left of the Ripon label on the front of the jersey. To the right of the label is a tiny "Long" label. The number 50 is printed right on the Ripon label. Again the nameplate is made of the same material as the Smith jersey. All numbers are sewn on this jersey. I also have a 96 Smith "preseason" jersey with the same labelling/nameplate but Nike must have made the jerseys in 96 because there is a Nike swoosh on the shoulders and the front lower label is a Nike label by the "96" label. All of the jerseys have the NFL shield on the front of the collar. Hopefully you can reassure me as to if they really are game issued or not.
By the way Emmitt signed the 94 jersey for me in 96 at the Chicago Sun Times Collectibles show in March of that year.
Waiting to hear from you.
Marcie
Answer Hi Marcie,
Sorry for the delay as I just got back from vacation, in of course where else, Dallas. Now without looking at actual photos of these jerseys and going by just your description, I'd say all of them sound "game-issued" or even "game-used". Now lets just take this jersey by jersey shall we :-)
1994 Emmitt jersey - Yes, Apex One did outfit the Cowboys for that season and that was also the NFL's 75th anniversary so all teams were required to wear the diamond shaped patch around the left breast/left chest area. Since the NFL has a strict uniform code and policy, usually game issued/worn jerseys are labeled "long" so they can be tucked in and won't be easily pulled out during games. I can't say that I have ever heard of the materials being more sharp and clear for game jerseys, but it makes total sense and I am not surprised. You see, you taught me something :-). I am not sure when the team switched from tackle twill stitched-on numbers, but I do know that from 1992-1999, all Cowboy jerseys used screen printed numbers and letters (except the "Double-Star"). So yes, your 1994 Emmitt jersey should be screen printed and if what you're saying is true, heavily screen printed with perhaps a special type of vibrant ink.
1995 Aikman jersey - Apex One outfitted the Cowboys from 1993, 1994, and parts of 1995. They went out of business sometime at the beginning of the 1995 Superbowl season. That is why if you look back at any regular season game photos of that year, the Cowboys will not have any manufacturer logos on their sleeves (other than training camp and Pre-Season). All "Double-Star" type of jerseys should've been tackle twill and sometime during the season (or maybe perhaps even the beginning of the season, hard to tell since the jocktag is always tucked in the players pants), the Cowboys also used the Ripon company for the jerseys as well. I have an old photo of Deion that year wearing a Ripon issued jersey to prove this. Although I believe the majority of the uniform was still Apex One (especially the pants), all logos were removed from the Cowboys uniforms to make room for their impending deal with Nike. Which brings me to your next jersey...
1996 Emmitt jersey - Jerry Jones and the NFL both filed lawsuits at one another for marketing and branding rights, and when that deal was finally settled, Nike took over the reigns for Cowboy uniforms in 1996-2000 (the 2000 season was when the Cowboys switched back to tackle twill numbers and letter). Hard to say if that was game issued, but usually there is a tag in the back of neck that will state jersey size and then year (i.e. 44-96) Sometimes it could've been removed. You never know with the life and journey of a jersey. I think if the others you have are game issued/worn, then chances are this one is too.
Hope I was some help Marcie and very envious of your collection. Especially the first two since they were probably game worn. The Aikman navy "Double-Star" is probably the most rare since the team only wore that jersey twice (at Washington and at Philadelphia both losses) during the 1995 season. The Cowboys brought back the navy "Double-Star" on Thanksgiving Day 2001, 2002, and 2003. But if you look closely, the stars on the shoulders were smaller and the jersey itself was made by Reebok. Since Aikman also retired after the 2000 season, 1995 was the only time he ever wore this style of jersey.
