No player in college football history meant more to a whole state than Nile Kinnick meant to Iowa becoming its most popular hero and is still today its most revered icon. Following his Iowa career, in which he won the Heisman trophy, Kinnick chose to go to law school and join the Naval Air Corps Reserve. On June 2, 1943, while flying a routine training mission in the Gulf of Paria, his plane suddenly developed a serious oil leak. Since landing on board would have endangered many lives, Nile instead decided to ditch at sea. No trace of him or his plane was ever found. Rare vintage fountain pen signature, “Best wishes, Nile Kinnick,” on an off-white 3.5 x 5 government postcard. Kinnick also adds the name of Bill Kerr, Tom Harmon and Milt Prepul, in response to a question of the best players he has encountered. In fine condition, with several collector’s notations, two small captions affixed to lower portion of card, which has also been lightly trimmed. COA Steve Grad/PSA/DNA and R&R COA.
