I recently purchased this 2015 San Jose State game-used football jersey of linebacker Christian Tago. The reason I grabbed this one is because Tago was a team leader who wore the jersey in 6 games that year, including the 2015 Cure Bowl, and tallied 57 tackles in it.
When I performed a photomatch search prior to making the purchase, I found definitive proof it was worn in the bowl game based on matching repair spots, but I was thrown off by the missing ‘C’ captain patch as well as the missing bowl game patch. Upon closer inspection under a bright flashlight in a dark room, I can see the stitch holes from the captain patch (see the last photo). There are no stitch marks for the bowl patch, however, so I’m guessing it was an iron-on. It’s hard to find game-used NCAA jerseys from the pre-NIL days that still contain a nameplate, so it’s surprising that the team kept the nameplate on but removed the captain patch. I’d love to know how jerseys like this first make it into private hands.
Tago was signed by the Falcons and Eagles out of college but never played a down in the NFL. He currently coaches linebackers at Antelope Valley College in California. Hoping to get this jersey to him someday.
9/19/15 at Oregon State
Alamy Image F2PJ0K
9/26/15 vs Fresno State
No photomatch, but jersey style worn
10/17/15 vs San Diego State
No photomatch, but jersey style worn
10/24/15 vs New Mexico
Alamy Image 2P2716K
11/27/15 vs Boise State
Alamy Image 3B2FE65
12/19/15 vs Georgia State (Cure Bowl)
Alamy Image FA1CYR
