On View
Sports Gallery
Exhibition
Sports: Leveling the Playing Field
Manufactured by
Wilson Sporting Goods Co., American, founded 1914
Worn by
Payton, Walter, American, 1954 - 1999
Subject of
Chicago Bears, American, founded 1919
Date
1982-1987
Medium
plastic, metal, padding, synthetic fiber, paint, ink
Dimensions
H x W x D: 10 × 9 1/2 × 12 1/2 in. (25.4 × 24.1 × 31.8 cm)
Description
A Chicago Bears football helmet worn by Walter Payton. The Wilson helmet is navy with a navy face guard. A white rectangle in the front center reads [Wilson] in a black script text. On either side of the helmet is a Chicago Bears logo of an orange [C] with a white outline.
On the lower left side of the back of the helmet there is a raised logo with a picture of a football helmet. Underneath it reads [F-8101/”6 7/8-7”/478. On the lower right side, inside of a circle, there is a gold Wilson [W] with [MADE IN U.S.A.] underneath. There is a white circle sticker towards the lower center which reads [21] in pen.
On the proper right side of the helmet above the logo in silver marker it reads [To Barry Halper / and the Babe / Best Wishes / ’Sweetness’ / Walter / Payton / -34-].
Place used
Chicago, Cook County, Illinois, United States, North and Central America
Collection title
Jock Michael Smith Collection
Classification
Clothing - Sports Uniforms
Type
helmets
sports uniforms
Topic
Athletes
Clothing and dress
Football
Sports
Credit Line
Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, Gift of the Jock Michael Smith Collection
Object number
2016.107.7
Restrictions & Rights
Unknown - Restrictions Possible
Rights assessment and proper usage is the responsibility of the user.
GUID
http://n2t.net/ark:/65665/fd51076ef48-c446-49d3-86fb-8d9612a7d112

Cataloging is an ongoing process and we may update this record as we conduct additional research and review. If you have more information about this object, please contact us at NMAAHCDigiTeam@si.edu

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