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Returning from Las Vegas this afternoon as "Allegiant (AAY) 277". Like N335NV this is another ex. Cebu Pacific bird.
Raiders fans at the Oakland Coliseum during the Raider's final season before its move to Las Vegas, Dec. 9, 2018
Raiders fans at the Coliseum BART station before the Raiders v. Miami game, Oakland, California 2018
Painted in special "Las Vegas Raiders" livery and seen here on departure to Las Vegas this morning as "Allegiant (AAY) 284".
1984 Pro Football Hall of Fame Induction Cover – Signed by Willie Brown
This is a cover from my collection: a commemorative cover from the Pro Football Hall of Fame Enshrinement Ceremony held in Canton, Ohio, on July 28, 1984.
The Signer: "Old Man Willie"
This cover is hand-signed by the legendary Willie Brown (1940–2019), widely considered one of the greatest cornerbacks in NFL history. Inducted in his first year of eligibility, Brown was the "progenitor" of the aggressive bump-and-run coverage style. He spent 12 seasons with the Oakland Raiders, famously clinching Super Bowl XI with a 75-yard "pick-six".
Career Highlights & Stats
Interceptions: Recorded 54 career interceptions over 16 seasons.
Consistency: Set a pro record by recording at least one interception in 16 consecutive seasons.
Raider Record: His 39 interceptions as a Raider remain a franchise record.
Postseason Dominance: Tallied 7 career postseason interceptions, returning three for touchdowns—all against Hall of Fame quarterbacks.
Accolades: A 9-time All-Star, member of the NFL 1970s All-Decade Team, and the NFL 100th Anniversary All-Time Team.
The Class of 1984
Brown was inducted alongside a powerhouse class including Charley Taylor, Mike McCormack, and Arnie Weinmeister.
The Philatelic Connection
The cover features the 20-cent Jim Thorpe stamp, issued in 1984 as part of the American Sports Series. The stamp honors Thorpe, the first president of what became the NFL, and features him in his Canton Bulldogs uniform.
In His Own Words
"I never wanted to just knock the ball down. If I could get my hands on it, it was mine. I felt like the quarterback was throwing to me."
An Enduring Legacy
Though Willie Brown passed away on October 21, 2019, at age 78, he remained a fixture of the Oakland Raiders organization for over six decades as a player, coach, and ambassador. Known for his warmth off the field, he was a fixture at the NFL Draft each year and was famously devoted to the "Raider Nation" until the very end.
Authenticated by: Todd Mueller Autographs
Date of Event: July 28, 1984
Location: Canton, Ohio
Career Highlights & "Old Man Willie" Stats
Willie Brown’s career was defined by his "bump-and-run" defensive style and a knack for the big play. Here are the numbers that cemented his place in Canton:
The Interception King: Over 16 professional seasons (1963–1978), Brown hauled in 54 career interceptions, which he returned for 472 yards and 2 regular-season touchdowns.
A Raiders Legend: He spent 12 of his 16 years with the Oakland Raiders, where he is still tied for the franchise record of 39 interceptions.
The Iron Streak: Brown set a then-NFL record by recording at least one interception in 16 consecutive seasons—every single year he was in the league.
Super Bowl XI Masterpiece: His most famous play was a 75-yard interception return for a touchdown against Fran Tarkenton and the Vikings. The play was immortalized by NFL Films and established a Super Bowl record that stood for 29 years.
Shutdown Performance: On November 15, 1964, while playing for the Denver Broncos, Brown tied an NFL record by recording 4 interceptions in a single game against the New York Jets.
Postseason Clutch: He was one of the most dangerous playoff defenders in history, recording 7 career postseason interceptions, including 3 returned for touchdowns—all of which came against Hall of Fame quarterbacks (Terry Bradshaw, Bob Griese, and Fran Tarkenton).
Accolades:
9-time All-Star: 5 AFL All-Star games and 4 NFL Pro Bowls.
All-Pro: Named First-team All-Pro or All-AFL 5 times.
All-Time Teams: Selected for the AFL All-Time Team, the NFL 1970s All-Decade Team, and the NFL 100th Anniversary All-Time Team.
In His Own Words
On the Art of the Interception: "I never wanted to just knock the ball down. If I could get my hands on it, it was mine. I felt like the quarterback was throwing to me."
On Longevity and his "Old Man Willie" Nickname: "I didn't mind being called 'Old Man.' As long as I was still picking off passes and winning games, they could call me whatever they wanted."
On the "Bump-and-Run" Style: "I liked to be in the receiver’s face. I wanted to see the look in his eyes when he realized he wasn't going anywhere that day."
From His 1984 HOF Enshrinement Speech: "I’ve always tried to be the best. Not just a good player, but the best at my position. This bust here in Canton tells me that maybe I reached that goal."
William Ferdie Brown (December 2, 1940 – October 21, 2019) was an American professional football player, coach and administrator. He played as a cornerback for the Denver Broncos and the Oakland Raiders of the American Football League (AFL) and later in the National Football League (NFL). Following his playing career, Brown remained with the Raiders as an assistant coach. He served as the head football coach at California State University, Long Beach in 1991, the final season before the school's football program was terminated. Brown was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame as a player in 1984. At the time of his death he was on the Raiders' administrative staff.
LINK to video - (#66): Willie Brown | The Top 100: NFL's Greatest Players (2010) | NFL Films - www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vlp5R1MZnI0