From the September 1964 issue of Boys’ Life comes this outstanding Jack Davis illustration depicting Len Dawson of the then-Dallas Texans surrounded by the Houston Oilers. It was featured as part of an ad for Spalding sporting goods, and told the story of how Dawson rose from obscurity in the NFL — he saw little action in five years with the Steelers or Browns — to stardom in the AFL.
The ad climaxes with a recap of Dawson and the Texans beating the Houston Oilers at Jeppesen Stadium in double overtime in the 1962 AFL Championship, still the longest pro football championship ever played.
Dawson, of course, would go on to ever greater glory in his football career. Jack Davis, who recently passed away, went on to become one of America’s most treasured artists.
