I’m what some people may call a flea market junkie. I love everything about flea markets: the atmosphere, the people, the bargaining, the bickering, the smell of old stuff and most of all, the hunt for that needle in a haystack. Me, I collect vintage sports memorabilia.

My favorite flea market is the one held at the old naval ship yard in Alameda, California (near Oakland) on the first Sunday of every month. I frequent this particular flea market somewhat religiously. I’m always there early, no later than 7:30a.m., lurking strategically from aisle to aisle, booth to booth, leaving no rock unturned, searching for something interesting to add to my collection. Sometimes I walk away with some really nice stuff and other times empty handed.

On my most recent pilgrimage, it was one of those days where I wasn’t having much luck. It was getting close to noon and I hadn’t found anything. The only money I had spent was on water and food. We were having record breaking heat in the Bay Area this particular weekend and my face, neck and arms were beginning to sunburn. I was relieved I only had one short aisle of unsearched booths left to check before calling it a day.

As I approached the second to last booth, which consisted of only four banker boxes piled on top of an old rickety bridge table, I asked the sun baked seller, “You don’t happen to have any sports stuff by chance do you?”

He paused for a moment to think as he wiped the sweat from his brow and replied, “You know, as a matter of fact I do.”

The seller then started digging through the four boxes of stuff he had out on the table. Halfway through the last box he found what he was looking for.

“Aha! Here we are,” he said, pulling the item from the box, blowing the dust of it, and then handing it to me.

It was an old high school football program from Bristow, Oklahoma dated Friday, November 26th, 1937. Flipping through it, I discovered that it was autographed by most, if not the entire team on the backside. It even had a picture of the football queen with her sig on there as well. I scanned through the signatures, but didn’t recognize any of the names.

“This is pretty cool,” I said. “How much do you want for it?”

“Three bucks.”

I didn’t bother trying to bargain with him. $3 seemed fair to me. It will make a good conversation piece if anything, I thought.

“You’ve got a deal,” I said, pulling three singles from my wallet and handing it over to him.

Before I left I asked seller, “By the way, where did you happen to find this thing at anyway?”

“Man, to tell you the truth, I can’t quite remember. I think it might have come from an old estate I cleared out a while back down near San Jose, but I’m not certain.”

The next morning I did some detective work and started plugging the names of the individuals who had signed the program into Google. I was about three-fourths of the way through the list when I got my first significant hit while searching the name Clyde LeForce. Nearly a whole page of matches pulled up from Tulsa University, the Detroit Lions and even eBay.

Astonished, I clicked on the Detroit Lions link first and read through the info and stats. It said Clyde LeForce was drafted from TU in 1947 and played as the Lions quarterback for three years. His stats looked pretty good. In fact, he was the Lions seasonal passing leader back in ‘47.

I then went on to view the hits I got from Tulsa University, which revealed that Clyde was an outstanding two-way player and had led the Golden Hurricanes in scoring, rushing, passing, punting and punt returns in 1943. I also learned that Clyde was inducted into the TU Athletic Hall of Fame in 1986. Needless to say I was very impressed.

As for the eBay results, there happened to be a couple of different Clyde LeForce football cards that were on auction. The first, a 1949 Leaf card, had two days left on auction, and the other, a 1949 Exhibit SP (short print) card, had three days. I bookmarked both cards so I could bid on them later.

I think it’s also important to note that there were actually two individuals listed on the program with the last name LeForce. One was the player, Clyde, and the other was the coach, Moe. I could only assume that the two were related in someway or another.

Although I was now about 99.9% sure that the Clyde LeForce who signed the program was the same Clyde LeForce who later played for the Detroit Lions, I still needed to confirm that .01%. I decided to call information to see if they had anyone listed in Bristow under the name. Surprisingly, I got a hit.

After preparing a short list of preset questions, I called the number but nobody answered. I left a message on the machine and figured I’d try back again the following day. Then, a couple hours later, the phone rang. The name on the caller id read: LeForce. It was Clyde’s wife, Mrs. Rosemary LeForce. I introduced myself and told her about my find. She was exceptionally pleasant sounding over the phone and told me that Clyde, now 82 years old, was unfortunately unable make it to the phone, but that she would be happy to tell me everything I wanted to know.

First, Rosemary confirmed that Clyde did attend Bristow High and later went on to play football for the Detroit Lions. She added that Clyde must have signed the program when he was only a freshman (playing varsity football) since he didn’t graduate high school until 1941. Rosemary then went on to tell me that after high school, Clyde attended Tulsa University where he excelled in both his studies and football.

When I asked Rosemary about Moe LeForce she said, “That’s Clyde’s father. He coached the football team at the high school for many years.”

In 1944, Clyde joined the navy to serve his country in WWII. Upon returning home in ‘46, Clyde continued to play football and completed his education at TU, receiving an undergrad degree in Petroleum Engineering. The following year, 1947, Clyde was drafted by the Detroit Lions where he spent three years as a quarterback.

Clyde and Rosemary returned back to their hometown of Bristow in 1949 where they raised three daughters: Judy, Vickie and Jill. Clyde and Rosemary have been married for over 61 years.

About the only thing Rosemary couldn’t tell me was how in the world the program ended up in my hands all the way out in the Bay Area. This was something that bewildered us both.

I was so touched by my conversation with Mrs. LeForce that I decided right there over the phone that I was going to send her the program after I got some decent scans of it. In exchange, all I asked is if she wouldn’t mind having Clyde sign a football card for me. She said he would be delighted.

A few days later, I ended up winning the auction for the 1949 Leaf, Clyde LeForce card for $13.50 delivered. Here’s an interesting fact about this particular card: It’s actually an error card. Clyde’s last name is misspelled on the card as L(a)force. This is where part of my .01% doubt/confusion came from during my initial research.

As for the second card, the 1949 Exhibit SP, it ended at a whopping $150 due to its scarcity. Unfortunately, I was outbid on that one.

I mailed the program out to the LeForce family last week. I also enclosed the card I won on eBay for Clyde to sign. I’m really looking forward to receiving it. Considering the story behind it, it’s definitely going to be one of the highlights in my collection.

***

Included below is a series of correspondence I’ve had with various members of the LeForce family since writing this piece back in 2004:

June 7th, 2004:

Dear Mr. Jensen,

Thanks so much for the football program. We have really enjoyed looking at it. Also, the players who are still alive and live in Bristow have it enjoyed seeing it, too. It certainly brings back many happy memories.

Clyde autographed the football card for you. If it's not too much trouble, we'd really like to see the story when you're finished.

This Sunday there is a rededication of the LeForce Field house. The gym was named in honor of Clyde's dad. Over the years, the metallic lettering that was on it has disappeared, so they have replaced it. Our family is looking forward to that. There are several other educational complexes that are new and are being dedicated at the same time.

Have a great summer!

Sincerely,

Rosemary LeForce

***

June 18th, 2004:

Dear Mr. Jensen,

We have read and reread the article you sent us. It is just a super story!

Again, let me say, this is a very fine tribute to Clyde and the football team. This is such a unique story. I can see why you are a very capable and successful writer. Thanks again!

Wishing you a great summer and much success in your future endevours.

Sincerely,

Rosemary LeForce

***

Date unknown

Travis:

Thanks for a wonderful story about my grandfather. My kids and I were searching the internet and came across your story. I have two boys and they think it is pretty cool to read something like that on the internet about their great grandfather. Thank you for providing them that piece of memorabilia. What is only worth a few dollars to some people is priceless to others.

Lori Jones

***

June 20th, 2006:

Mr Jensen,

I would like to say thanks for the kind comments about my grandmother (Rosemary LeForce) who you contacted about my grandfathers football card and ended up sending her the card to be signed.

Just wanted to let you know that last Friday Clyde passed away and it was really nice to see someone who found an interest in his accomplishments besides his family. He was a super guy and he and my grandmother have been together since they were in the ninth grade. He did all he could for his grandchildren and never once did he ever brag and even though Bristow is a very small town some of the younger people didn't even know his successes playing football.

If you have both his cards then there is only one card left and its an exhibitors card and its hard to find.. Took me almost four years to locate it and from my research I found out these type cards came out of machines at the stadium or at an arcade. Ironically enough I found it the Saturday night after he died and immediately called the collector and gave him my credit card number.

Thanks,

Greg Stromme (Judy LeForce is my mother)