Saturdays and Sundays in the fall only mean one thing, football. Back in Ohio it is basically all people care about (not so much in Cleveland this year, but we are having a rebuilding decade). Recently I discovered Original Leather Head footballs, the perfect companion for chilly fall afternoons. Designed and crafted by Paul Cunningham (a former photo editor at Major League Baseball), Leather Heads are hand-sewn in New Jersey from American leather (via Horween in Chicago and Prime in Maine) and like many heirloom quality goods, they only get better with age. The footballs are so good looking my only dilemma is whether to use it or not. Maybe the solution is to buy two; one to use, one to just look at??
In addition to making great looking footballs, Cunningham Classics got its start with Lemon Ball, a line of throwback handsewn leather baseballs. Read more about Paul Cunningham (clearly a man with great taste in sporting goods and movies) from his Etsy feature this past summer.
nick
on Oct 5th, 2009
@ 11:35 AM:
What size balls do they make? I can’t throw a pro sized football without looking like a girl.
Michael Williams
on Oct 5th, 2009
@ 11:37 AM:
The Leather Head footballs are slightly smaller their official NFL cousins. So maybe you will be able to look less girly with one of these. —ACL
ad ease
on Oct 5th, 2009
@ 11:54 AM:
Good lookin out. Love these balls. Gotsta pick one up ASAP.
L.A.S
on Oct 5th, 2009
@ 12:09 PM:
wow…those look amazing…perfect post to get amped up for MNF’s myriad of storylines for tonight…
Greg D
on Oct 5th, 2009
@ 12:18 PM:
Thanks for the link Michael. I just ordered one. No way I could pass on this one.
Michael Williams
on Oct 5th, 2009
@ 12:20 PM:
Fuck, I think these bad boys are going to sell out. I should have ordered one THEN posted! ha Good work Greg D — way to support American artisans…
Paul Cunningham
on Oct 5th, 2009
@ 12:45 PM:
Hey, thanks for the plug!
I designed LEATHER HEAD™ footballs for normal hands, like mine, so no need to be an NFL behemoth to throw these.
Paul Cunningham
SmallBalls
on Oct 5th, 2009
@ 12:58 PM:
Great product I just ordered mine, thanks for the heads-up on these!
F.E. Castleberry
on Oct 5th, 2009
@ 1:49 PM:
Running to grab one of these brilliant balls right now…
Kevin
on Oct 5th, 2009
@ 2:38 PM:
This would make a great gift. I might get one for my brother for Christmas. Just need to make sure the dog doesn’t get after it.
Memphis88
on Oct 5th, 2009
@ 2:39 PM:
Certainly beautiful craftsmanship, but $95 is pretty steep for a football.
Paul
on Oct 5th, 2009
@ 4:50 PM:
Wow! Just look at the quality of that leather! New – they look older and seasoned with the oil of the scrimmage. Great post- superb quality.
David
on Oct 5th, 2009
@ 4:53 PM:
The card holders are nice too.
Mark C.
on Oct 5th, 2009
@ 5:03 PM:
This would go PERFECTLY with one of those old-school leather football helmets. If I had one, I’d totally wear it while carry my matching football around like an outfit!
Mark C.
on Oct 5th, 2009
@ 5:41 PM:
^^correction: *carrying*
stephanie
on Oct 5th, 2009
@ 7:25 PM:
Ordering posthaste. Perfect last minute anniversary gift for my fellow. Thanks!
Isaac Buie
on Oct 6th, 2009
@ 12:46 AM:
Another great nugget of coolness out on the periphery.
Michelle
on Oct 6th, 2009
@ 6:59 AM:
Never in a million years did I ever imagine myself ever saying that I’d want to buy a football, let alone an American football, but now you’ve shared this, I’m not even thinking if I want one, I’m thinking where I’m going to put it!!
Definitely a design classic in my book.
Thad
on Oct 6th, 2009
@ 10:09 AM:
I have to say that that is one of the nicest looking footballs that I have seen in a long time! When I have a son, I would be proud to be seen playing toss with one of those.
Cheers!
doane
on Oct 6th, 2009
@ 8:47 PM:
Love the red stitching on the dark brown leather.
Classics Patriot
on Oct 11th, 2009
@ 10:10 PM:
It’s beautiful, and made in America, too. What more could you want? Well, affordability would be nice, but that won’t happen anytime soon. *sigh*
brooklynboy
on Oct 12th, 2009
@ 11:25 AM:
Bought mine. Should arrive Thursday. Can’t wait. What a refreshing find.
Jeff
on Oct 15th, 2009
@ 9:09 PM:
Mine arrived today…a nice, quality AMERICAN made football. I already love it and can’t wait to toss it around with my friends and family!! Highly recommend one, even just to hold while watching football on the couch.
Leif
on Oct 26th, 2009
@ 10:42 PM:
They look like real works of art,,,
However!
I noticed they don’t have the standard pebbled leather, which of course gives a good grip.
The smoother leather on these looks like they’d render us all “butterfingers” as we go deep.
Why no pebbled leather?
Paul Cunningham
on Oct 29th, 2009
@ 6:27 PM:
Leif,
I was meticulous in designing these footballs for play. First; I designed the ball to be smaller than an NFL ball, so that it can be gripped by average size hands. Second; I auditioned countless types of leather, the goal being grippability. A goal which I achieved. Third; they are designed to be more supple than a rock hard NFL ball. They are firm, but they are significantly easier to catch and throw than the official balls made by Wilson and Nike. Don’t be deceived by the photos; Leather Head footballs are designed to be played with.
Thanks,
Paul Cunningham