B5710

Sport Balls

Football - Red Grange

Subscriber Only Edition

Cover Announcement 

Harold Edward "Red" Grange was an All-American football halfback for the University of lllinois. Known affectionately as the "Galloping Ghost," he later starred for the professional Chicago Bears football team. When he signed his contract, it helped usher in the age of growth and popularity for the National Football League.

At Illinois he played football for three seasons. In his first college game, he scored three touchdowns against Nebraska. As a sophomore he led the "Fighting Illini" to an undefeated season. Of all his games, Grange is best remembered for the one against Michigan on October 18, 1924. The Wolverines were favored, having won the National Championship the year before. Red returned the opening kick-off 95 yards for a touchdown. He then scored touchdowns on runs of 67, 56, and 44 yards on the team's next tlree possessions. Illinois won 39 to 14 with Grange scoring a total of six touchdowns.

This amazing gridiron star is a charter member of both the College and Professional Halls of Fame. Red Grange - Collins #B5710 - $13.50.

Winter 2026 Mail Sale Commentary 

Lot 35 B5710 — Red Grange with Football stamp from the Sports Balls series— 6/14/17

This outstanding cover is part of the Sports Balls series — but it has a special feature. It is a first day cover that has been almost impossible to find on the open market as it was created only for subscribers. Eight unique round Sports Balls stamps were issued for this series, and then several were chosen by me to be offered only to subscribers. This cover with the football stamp and the eye-catching portrait of Red Grange is one of them.

Harold Edward "Red" Grange, nicknamed "the Galloping Ghost," was an American college and professional football halfback who played for Illinois, the Chicago Bears, and the short-lived New York Yankees. His signing with the Bears helped legitimize the National Football League. Very interestingly, in his high school years, in addition to his incredible football achievements, Red was an All-State track and field runner, a state champion in the high jump, and won the state title in both the long jump and the 100-yard dash. After high school, he went to the University of Illinois where he continued to crush records and led his team to a national championship. That year he was the only unanimous All-American selection, making him the first player in college football history to receive that honor. Some of his professional football highlights include two-time NFL Champion, two-time First Team All-Pro, NFL 1920s All-Decade Team; and Chicago Bears No. 77 retired. This Collins cover honors Red Grange — one of football's all-time greats! This is the first time this cover has been offered in a mail sale.