I recently acquired this 1996 Kansas City Chiefs game-used jersey of Tamarick Vanover.

This is only the second autographed game-used jersey I own, and surprisingly enough, I’d actually prefer it wasn’t signed because I believe game jerseys should be preserved in their most original form. That said, I’m not complaining.

Although this jersey never reached the end zone, it does have some fun history attached to it. Vanover wore this jersey in the Thanksgiving game against the Lions, which I’m sure I watched when I was 10 years old. He also recorded receiving, rushing, kick return, and punt return yardage in one game while wearing this jersey. Last but not least, photos of Vanover in this jersey appear on multiple cards produced in 1997.

I was able to photomatch the jersey to broadcasts of the following three games:

11/28/96 @ Detroit Lions (Thanksgiving Day)

2 rushes, -1 yards

4 kick returns, 83 yards

12/9/96 @ Oakland Raiders

4 kick returns, 101 yards

3 punt returns, 29 yards

12/22/96 @ Buffalo Bills

1 reception, 18 yards

1 rush, 1 yard

5 kick returns, 112 yards

2 punt returns, 5 yards

Jersey appears on the following cards:

1997 Action Packed

1997 Donruss

1997 Pinnacle

1997 Pro Line

1997 Score