Assuming Super Bowl XLII hasn’t left most people feeling completely exhausted of football, Mike Turner, owner of the recently opened e it all online auction business in El Dorado, has an old pigskin he thinks might interest local enthusiasts.

Though Turner often gets to sort through other people’s unwanted treasures, he recently came across a gem he wants to share with the community: a game ball signed by about 30 members of the 1970 Chicago Bears football team.

This particular pigskin should be notable to locals for the inclusion of a signature belonging to former El Doradoan Bobby Douglass. After graduating high school here, Douglass played college ball for Kansas University.

From 1969 to 1975, he wore the Bears jersey, even setting the record in 1972 for most rushing yards by a quarterback in one season – a record that stood for 34 years, until Michael Vick surpassed it in 2006. He played alongside Dick Butkis and fellow Kansans Dave Hale and Gale Sayers.

Douglass also played for the San Diego Chargers, the New Orleans Saints and the Green Bay Packers before retiring in 1978.

That said, Turner feels he ought to give El Dorado a chance to hang onto this piece of history, so he wants to give local buyers a chance to buy the ball before placing the item on e-Bay. The previous owner of the football wants to remain anonymous, but says he was a friend of Douglass’.

Having researched the history and value of this piece and talking with a professional collector, Turner said bidding will start at $1,000.

The bidding begins today and will continue for two weeks.

“If after the end of two weeks, we don’t have any bids over $1,000, then it’ll go to the world,” Turner said. “A ball like this would look great even in the high school glass. It’s a wonderful piece of history for El Dorado.”

To place a bid, drop by the e it all storefront located at 112 S. Main Ste. 120. For more information, call Turner at 316-621-0804.