Wilson is the company that has worked with one of the sports leagues for the longest period during American sports history, that's the National Football League (NFL). It was the NFL game ball that was thrown from the bridge became the symbol for the long-term partnership.
The question is, what nickname is stamped on every official nfl football? It is "the duke football" The nickname is a hit with an intriguing story to back it up.
In this article, we'll look back in time to Scott Fujita and find out the history behind this popular nickname. Let's get started!
WHAT NICKNAME IS STAMPED ON EVERY OFFICIAL NFL FOOTBALL?
It is the NFL official football is known as "the Duke" based on the name of Wellington Mara - the famous owner of the New York Giants. The team was founded in 1925 before passing away in 2005, aged 89.
The name "the Duke" that Wellington Mara received was from his teammates and players of the team. They came up with the name after they learned the fact that Tim Mara - young Mara's father - used to call him"Duke of Wellington.
Tim Mara was the person who played the pivotal role in signing the contract and working together with Wilson Sporting Goods to become the official provider of ball for the official games. In appreciation of that partnership, Wilson decided to stamp the name "the Duke" on every NFL football ball on the request by George Halas.
Following when the NFL and AFL joined in 1970, the official football wasn't stamped anymore. The stamping continued even after Mara's lymphoma diagnosis in 2005. Since 2005 each officially licensed NFL football has the name "the Duke" stamped on the ball's surface.
THE STORY OF MARA FAMILY
After investing $500 into the New York Giants in 1925, Tim Mara officially became the new owner of the team. He split the ownership stakes between and his sons Jack as well as Wellington.
A 14 year old Wellington Mara gradually grew up and went to Fordham University. He began working in the Giant's Office after graduating.
His job at the time was that of the treasurer of the team.
Mara's first impression of him was when he signed an agreement with Tuffy Leemans, whom was listed on the Hall of Fame list. It's also remarkable that Mara was just a pupil at the time.
After 1938, Wellington Mara became the club's secretary in 1938. He did however, take an absence from 1943 until 1946 due to his involvement during World War II.
When he returned as a player, Tim appointed Wellington to vice president. Following the death of his brother Jack passed away in 1965, Wellington Mara officially became the president of the New York Giants.
Mara was the sole decision maker for the team, until transferring the chief executive Andy Robustelli in 1974. His successor was the general manager George Young.
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