Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Chuck Fusina - Quarterback (Penn State)

A top star in college, Chuck Fusina led the Penn State Nittany Lions to a 11-0 record in 1978 and was the runner-up in Heisman Trophy voting. Overall, he guided Penn State to a 29-3 mark in games he started and still has a parking lot named after him in Happy Valley. Fusina wore this lightly-used heavy mesh Wilson size 44 jersey with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers while spending three seasons as a back-up to Doug Williams. He saw duty on just seven occasions in his time with the Buccaneers in mop-up roles (five passes attempted overall, one touchdown pass) after being drafted in the 5th round (133rd overall) in the 1979 NFL Draft. The Bucs dealt Fusina to the San Francisco 49ers for a draft pick after Joe Montana's reserves, Guy Benjamin and Bryan Clark, were injured in the 1982 preseason. Fusina never appeared in a regular season game for the 49ers.

In 1983, Fusina went to the upstart United States Football League and quickly established himself as one of the league's top players. He won back-to-back league championships under Coach Jim Mora for the Philadelphia and Baltimore Stars in 1984 and 1985. He passed for 10,051yards (843 completions in 1,382 attempts) with the Stars and led all-USFL QBs with 66 career touchdown passes. Fusina was The Sporting News USFL Player of the Year in 1984 and was named the MVP of that year’s championship game. After the USFL folded, he was signed mid-season by the 0-4 Green Bay Packers in 1986 and saw limited action (32 pass attempts) as a back-up to Randy Wright. On a side note, I would say this is one of the best looking jerseys ever to grace a NFL playing field. A shame the Buccaneers changed their original color scheme. 

David Lewis - Linebacker (Southern California)

David Lewis joined the Buccaneeers as the first pick in the 2nd round (29th overall) of the 1977 NFL Draft. The selection reunited Lewis with his former college coach at USC, John McKay. Lewis became a starter immediately and helped turn around a cellar dwelling team into NFC Central Division Champions in 1979. Lewis was selected to the 1980 Pro Bowl although his best season was probably in 1979 when he totalled 111 tackles, 5.5 sacks, 2 interceptions, and 9 passes defended. Lewis and McKay had a falling out in 1981 training camp where Lewis was reportedly late for meetings and missed curfew. McKay demoted Lewis to second string for the entire 1981 season after 57 consecutive starting assignments. The Buccaneers traded him to the San Diego Chargers for two draft picks in February 1982. Lewis spent one season in San Diego and finished his career with one season as a reserve with the Los Angeles Rams in 1983. In a 7-year career, Lewis played in 97 games and had 10 interceptions.

Lewis wore this Wilson size 50 mesh jersey at some point during his tenure with the Buccaneers. All identifiers are screened on. There is evidence of customization with both the sleeves and length slightly shortened and hemmed. The jersey shows nice game wear with a dozen team repairs present.