Mike Grayson Game-Issued Jersey USFL Tampa Bay Bandits 1984 COA 100% Authentic

Description

Presented is a rare 1984 USFL Tampa Bay Bandits game issued jersey. It was prepared for running back, Mike Grayson.  It is a white mesh main body, the craze among jerseys of the mid ’80s. Both sleeves feature red/black stripes. The Champion [size] L tag on the front tail. The white mesh jersey has his number “27” in black with red outline on the front and back, as well as smaller versions on each shoulder. The Bandits logo is pressed into each sleeve. The jersey exhibits no nameplate on the back or noticible wear (only mild discoloration from age/storage) which is expected from very limited play action on the field so it is designated (as such) as game-issued.

Mike Grayson played during the 1984 season for the Tampa Bay Bandits. Grayson ran for 0 yards in his career on 1 attempts, scoring 0 rushing touchdowns. He also caught 2 passes for 4 yards.

The Tampa Bay Bandits were the Tampa franchise of the USFL. While they were owned by Canadian businessman John Bassett, actor and former Florida State player Burt Reynolds bought in as a minority owner and became a big part of the team’s marketing. Though most fans assumed the ‘Bandits’ name was a reference to Reynolds’ popular movie franchise, Bassett said he’d named the team after his granddaughter’s dog.

Helping the team’s popularity was another local star, Steve Spurrier. The Florida star’s up-tempo, aggressive offense – which earned the nickname Bandit Ball – was usually among the best in the league. On the field, the Bandits went 11-7, 14-4, and 10-8. The team made the playoffs in two of their three seasons and played an exhibition game in London in 1984.