This signed Bob Sanders autographed mini-helmet is flanked by rally towels. The one on the left is from the inaugural Heartland Trophy game in 2004. I think Iowa won a Big Ten co-championship that do, too. The towel on the right is from Iowa's 2005 Black Out game. Yes, it was a grueling OT loss to Michigan, but it was a fantastic game and the towel is really cool.

I know I’m taking a risk on this one. We’re veering a little bit into the “fan boy” territory.

The Hawkeye mini-helmet is signed by former Hawkeye all-American and NFL defensive player of the year Bob Sanders. We’ve talked about this with last year’s “Camp ‘Stache” bit. I covered a Bob Sanders autograph session at Lindale in Cedar Rapids. Wife was out of town, so I brought the kids. They didn’t know who Bob was (they were very young), but they sure wanted his autograph! Two mini-helmets later . . .

The other two items are the “fan boy” part. I’m nerdly in that I collect rally towels. It’s not to the point of theme for a slasher film, but I have a wall with them hung up in the basement. Maybe 35 or so. Mostly Packers and Blackhawks, but a whole bunch that I also just happened into, including these two from Kinnick Stadium.

On the left, you have a rally towel from the very first Heartland Trophy game. It was played in 2004. What else happened that day . . . Let me think . . . Oh yeah, this . . .

Personnel escort the Big Ten Championship Trophy to the Iowa bench with five minutes left in the fourth quarter of Iowa's game against Wisconsin Saturday November 20, 2004 at Kinnick Stadium in Iowa City. Iowa won the game 30-7 to share the Big Ten Championship with Michigan. (Gazette file)

Not a bad keepsake.

Want more? I also have the rally towel for the 2005 Black Out game. Yes, yes, it was a bitter overtime defeat to Michigan, but they’re not making anymore of these towels, so dig in.

The bidding again will be in the comments section of this blog. If you’re not comfortable with that, please e-mail me at marc.morehouse@sourcemedia.net and I’ll enter your bid. We’ll figure out the payment that works best for you.

[Warning, I like the rally towels and am willing to go $100 for the entire package. I might jump in here, especially if it's slow.]

This year, the auction will be for Brett Greenwood, the former Iowa safety whose heart stopped beating on the field at his old high school last summer as he tried to make his way into the NFL. Brett remains in rehab. His family started the Brett Greenwood Foundation (follow this link) to raise funds for this lengthy journey.

Brett’s recovery is ongoing. Let’s do our best to help.

The big news this summer is that The Gazette has agreed to match what’s raised here up to $1,000. So hey, let’s help them write that check!

Don’t worry about mailing and delivery, we’ll figure something out.

Let’s do something cool. Bid away and have fun. Any questions, you have my e-mail and you can comment. I get back to most.

Thanks so much!