Willie Gillespie Game-Worn Jersey #89 USFL Tampa Bay Bandits 1984 COA 100% Authentic

Presented is a rare 1984 USFL Tampa Bay Bandits game worn jersey. It was worn by Willie Gillespie in 1984.   Both sleeve ends are custom hemmed with Champion logos present in the central part of the striping.  The red mesh jersey has Gillespie’s number “89” in white with black outline on the front and back, as well as smaller versions on each shoulder. The Bandits logo is pressed into each sleeve. “GILLESPIE” in white tackle twill on nameplate adorns the back. The jersey exhibits an incredible amount of wear with well worn identifiers, scrapes, impact marks and repairs throughout.

The Tampa Bay Bandits were the Tampa franchise of the USFL. While they were owned by Canadian businessman John Bassett, actor and former Florida State player Burt Reynolds bought in as a minority owner and became a big part of the team’s marketing. Though most fans assumed the ‘Bandits’ name was a reference to Reynolds’ popular movie franchise, Bassett said he’d named the team after his granddaughter’s dog.

Helping the team’s popularity was another local star, Steve Spurrier. The Florida star’s up-tempo, aggressive offense – which earned the nickname Bandit Ball – was usually among the best in the league. On the field, the Bandits went 11-7, 14-4, and 10-8. The team made the playoffs in two of their three seasons and played an exhibition game in London in 1984.