I recently nabbed this Chiefs jersey of Brett Perriman that he wore in a thrilling Monday night game against the Raiders in 1997.

As a ‘90s kid, I’m stoked about getting this one. Brett Perriman was an under-appreciated receiver throughout that decade, with his biggest year coming in 1995 when he and Herman Moore became the first teammates to ever tally 100 catches each in the same season.

Perriman signed with the Chiefs in ‘97 after being let go by the Lions. This jersey was listed on eBay as an issued jersey rather than a game-used jersey, likely because it shows minimal signs of wear. I pulled up Getty Images and found image 1784871 of Perriman from that season wearing this style of jersey, and after carefully comparing it against the listing photos for about an hour (really), I felt confident it was the same jersey. That opinion was conclusively proven once I had it in hand and was able to look even closer.

Perriman only caught 2 passes for 37 yards in this jersey, but both were critical to the Chief’s 28-27 Week 2 victory. The first came late in the second quarter and helped set up a field goal, and the second came on a 3rd and 10 with 30 seconds left in the game that led to a Grbac-to-Rison touchdown pass to seal it with 3 seconds left. Al Davis looked pretty unhappy in the telecast.

Perriman was waived by the Chiefs weeks later, signed with the Dolphins to finish out the season, then rode off into the sunset.

This is the oldest NFL gamer in my collection and it brings me joy to know that I own one from a great player I watched growing up.

The most recent addition to my game-used football jersey collection is this 2020 Los Angeles Wildcats gamer of legendary journeyman quarterback Josh Johnson.

Johnson was drafted by the Buccaneers in 2008. Since then, he’s changed teams 25 times, including stints in the United Football League, Alliance of American Football, and XFL. So many times Johnson’s career should’ve been left for dead but he’s always found a way to keep proving himself worthy of just one more season, and I appreciate that.

I purchased this jersey because Johnson’s time in the XFL exemplifies that career arc. He wore this jersey in a February 29, 2020 showdown against the New York Guardians (photomatched to Getty Image 1209537638), in which he threw for 330 yards and 2 TDs. His time in the XFL proved himself once again, and more NFL contracts followed. He’ll be suiting up for the Bengals this year. One more year, one more opportunity.

I recently purchased this 2012 Tennessee Titans game-used jersey of Taylor Thompson, who was a tight end and special teams player.

This jersey is extremely jacked up, as it features multiple repairs, rips, and paint transfers. I’ve photomatched this jersey to 5 games from that season but what drew me to this jersey is that Thompson wore it in his NFL debut, and I love collecting jerseys that were meaningful in a player’s career.

Thompson played three seasons in the NFL, got a master’s degree, then started a home remodeling business. Not too shabby.

Week 1 vs Patriots

Getty Image 151700926

Week 3 vs Titans

Getty Image 152710361

Week 4 at Texans

Getty Image 153269136

Week 7 at Bills

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Week 14 at Colts

Usage determined by visible stitch marks from Hall of Fame patch worn that week.

I own a 2021 Chargers Jerry Tillery jersey that he wore in 6 of 8 games in which that variation was used, and I bought this 2022 Donruss card that appears to have the same scrape pattern on the right shoulder.

Update: Hat tip to @EPonMantel, who pointed out that it’s a game at Kansas City, which is a game for which I’ve positively photomatched this jersey. So the jersey I own appears on an NFL card! Pretty cool.