HOF Artifact of the Week

This week's artifact is Pro Football Hall of Famer Jackie Smith's Pro Bowl helmet, which is a Riddell brand Kra-Lite model with web suspension and double bar face mask. Players wore gold helmets in the NFL Pro Bowl from 1965-1969. At that time, the teams were divided Eastern Conference vs. West Conference. The game was played in Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. With the AFL vs. NFL merger, the participants were split AFC vs. NFC.  Smith was named to five consecutive Pro Bowls as tight end from 1965-1970.  He played in the NFL for 16 seasons, 15 years for St. Louis Cardinals (1963-1977) and one final season with the Dallas Cowboys (1978) finishing with 480 career receptions for 7,918 yards. His 16.5 career average per reception is the highest among tight ends in the Pro Football Hall of Fame.