Retro vintage football player planter holder

I love this lil guy! I imagine he was used for a floral arrangement at one time but I could be way off base. I just loved the detail and the eyelashes 😂 today he could definitely be used to hold candies, mail, napkins during football season - the possibilities are endless. The preexisting appearance of rust has been something I’ve tried scrubbing and soaking but to no avail. Adds to the age and patina I suppose.