GUEST: This is a Carolina football from the year 1895.

And it was, uh, belonged to my wife's granddaddy and he was on the Carolina football team in the year 1895.

And when the season was over that year, he brought the ball home.

And it's been in the family ever since.

APPRAISER: You were telling me that, that that team that year, wasn't that the year that they, they threw the first forward pass?

GUEST: That's the story that-that I've been told, and I've got some documents that state that, uh, the first forward pass was thrown by this team in 1895.

It was thrown against the University of Georgia.

That resulted in a 70-yard touchdown.

That actually won the game for Carolina that year.

APPRAISER: He also put all the scores from that year on this side here, I noticed-- I'm from Virginia, I had to notice down here that, uh, U.V.A.

was the only team that beat 'em.

And that was six to nothing.

GUEST: That's correct.

That-that's the only-only team to beat Carolina that year.

And this game ball was from that, uh, that U.V.A.

game.

APPRAISER: From that particular game.

GUEST: Mr.

Merritt brought the ball home after the, uh, after the season was over that year, and put it on his mantle.

APPRAISER: The thing that may affect the value on this more than anything else is the fact that it is something that has local appeal.

And it would, it would be something that would be of appeal to a Carolina graduate.

GUEST: Sure.

APPRAISER: Somebody who's a supporter of the football or the sports program over there.

Um, and the other thing is that, uh, I think it's significant that that forward pass was thrown with this.

Now you were telling me earlier about that, that it, that the referees didn't see that.

GUEST: That's correct.

The, uh, I think it was a fourth down play and, uh, instead of kicking the ball, the, uh, the punter actually tossed the ball to one of his players and, um, it resulted in the touchdown.

That was in, uh, in the year 1895.

I-- the way I understand it, the forward pass was not legalized until 1905.

But, uh, the referees didn't see this pass and, uh, they let the touchdown stand.

APPRAISER: Right.

Well, I would say that as far as value is concerned, if-if we were to auction this and-and sell it down in the area where the university is, and get some local people interested in it, or get national people interested in the fact that a forward pass was completed with it, there's a very good chance, uh, that this ball could bring anywhere from $1,000 to $3,000.

GUEST: Well, that's great.

APPRAISER: And, uh, we sure do appreciate you bringing this in today.

It was a lot of fun looking at it and talking with you about it.

GUEST: Appreciate you taking a look at it.