Helmet
Object number99.9.1
Mediumplastic, leather, fabric
Credit LineGift of John A. Danzilli, Jr.
DescriptionHelmet liner painted in standard military green. Helmet has Italian flags painted on both sides.Dimensions6 x 8 x 10 in. (15.2 x 20.3 x 25.4 cm)InscriptionsThe front has white handpainted text "Franco's Italian Army".
On the back is text "Danzilli".
Historical NotesHelmet liner worn by John A. Danzilli, Jr., a member of a group of Pittsburgh Steeler fans known as Franco's Italian Army. The Italian Army, named for the famous running back Franco Harris (who had an African American father and Italian mother), attended home and away Steelers games between the fall of 1972, Franco Harris' rookie season, and 1977, when it disbanded for unknown reasons. The army was founded by Italians in East Liberty, but it later involved Italian Americans from throughout the state. The helmet helps document a lesser known aspect of Pittsburgh's Italian American history, revealing how some second generation Americans of Italian descent chose to express their ethnicity through sports.
Previous owner
John A. Danzilli Jr.
Related person
Franco Harris
(1950 - 2022)
Related institution
Franco's Italian Army
Terms
On View
Not on viewCollections
1970-1979
c. 1982
c. 1954
