Dub Jones, Late 1940s or early 1950s Cleveland Browns durene cotton game used jersey. This is durene, but not the "mercerized", chemically treated, shiny variety. Numbers are satin twill. Cleveland did not start using larger, tackle twill numerals until 1952. Dub Jones wore number "86" from 1948 until 1951. He switched to number "40" in 1952, as the Browns switched to a larger numeral font. Lew Mayne wore #86 in 1947, but wore a smaller size (42) (according to his alma mater, University of Texas). Jones was taller and wore a larger size (48). This cotton size 48 has shrunk over time. It has a quarter inch "DRY CLEAN ONLY TAG" in the collar. Undoubtedly, it has been machine washed at some point over the past 60+ years. This jersey now measures 21 and a half inches from armpit to armpit. Made by King O'Shea, size 48. Customized by Blepp Coombs, Superior Ave. (Cleveland). Tagging sewn inside crotch piece. One small repair mark on back next to the "8". Heavily faded with even staining throughout. Very well-used.
An electrifying runner and receiver on Paul Brown's early teams, William "Dub" Jones hauled in 171 passes for 2,874 yards and 32 touchdowns in eight seasons with the Browns. He led the Browns in rushing in 1951 with 492 yards and 7 touchdowns on 104 attempts. He tied an NFL record with 6 touchdowns (4 rushing, 2 receiving) on Nov. 25, 1951 against the Chicago Bears, scoring on receptions of 34 and 43 yards and on rushes of 43, 27, 11 and 2 yards. Jones began his pro career with the Miami Seahawks of the All America Football Conference (AAFC) and was traded to the Brooklyn Dodgers in 1947. The Browns acquired Jones in a 1948 trade with Brooklyn. During Jones' eight seasons with the Browns, Cleveland won the AAFC Championship in 1948 and '49 and played in the NFL title game six times (1950-55), winning the title in 1950, '54 and '55.
