Like the previous lot, this incredible looking statue comes from the personal collection of sports artist Fred Kail. It is one of only two "3 point" Baltimore Colts figures made with Gino Marchetti's # 89. It is one of the first to cast from Mr. Kail's original 1957 sculpture. It was cast by the Roman Art Company in St. louis in 1958. This statue is made of a heavy chalkware composition. Later in 1960, this 3 point lineman along with a standing figure were reproduced in Japan in ceramic and sold with the uniforms of the then 14 NFL teams.

According to Mr. Kail, Gino Marchetti personally purchased several of these statues during the 1958 season. He signed this one for Mr. Kail after being inducted into the Hall of Fame. The statue did suffer some damage on the right leg, but was repaired by Mr. Kail. Considering its age (50 years old), it still looks great and displays beautifully. Again, original pieces made by Fred Kail are extremely hard to find. This is the first down lineman (not made in Japan) that we have ever handled.

 About Gino Marchetti:

Gino John Marchetti (born January 2, 1927, Smithers, West Virginia) is a former professional American football player in the National Football League. A defensive end, he played in 1952 for the Dallas Texans and from 1953 to 1966 for the Baltimore Colts.

During his rookie season, the Yanks became the Dallas Texans and in 1953 became the Baltimore Colts. Marchetti played 13 seasons with the Colts and helped them win NFL Championships in 1958 and 1959. During his career, he was noted for being effective against the run and a relentless pass-rusher. Voted "the greatest defensive end in pro football history," as selected by the Hall of Fame 1969.

Moved to left offensive tackle in 1954, a position Marchetti hated, but admitted that it taught him how to beat a blocker. Returned in defensive end in 1955 and made his first Pro Bowl.

He made a big play in the 1958 NFL Championship Game when he prevented the New York Giants from gaining a first down. Unfortunately for him, he fractured a leg on a key play near the end of the game but, as a team captain, insisted on watching the rest of the historic overtime contest from the sideline with his teammates rather than seeking immediate medical attention in the locker room. The injury forced him to miss the Pro Bowl that year and ended his string of nine consecutive Pro Bowl appearances. Gino was all-NFL seven times, missing only 1963 in the 1957-1964 span. Called by Sid Gillman, the Los Angeles Rams head coach, "The greatest player in football. It's a waste of time to run around this guy's end. It's a lost play. You don't bother to try it.

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