The 17th annual Super Bowl Live Auction, a highly anticipated event in the world of sports memorabilia, is gearing up to showcase an extensive collection of items from the legendary pro football player Johnny Unitas. Organized by Hunt Auctions in collaboration with the NFL, this auction promises to be a thrilling highlight for enthusiasts and collectors alike.
Scheduled just before Super Bowl LVIII on Saturday, February 10th, the auction will feature over 1,000 football-related items. Among these items, hundreds have been consigned directly by the family of Johnny Unitas, the celebrated late Hall of Fame quarterback who passed away in 2002 at the age of 69.
Johnny Unitas rose to fame as a collegiate star at the University of Louisville. Despite being a ninth-round draft pick by the Pittsburgh Steelers, his path took a turn when he didn’t make the Steelers’ team. This setback led to his signing with the Baltimore Colts in 1956. Overcoming initial challenges, he established himself as one of the preeminent players of the 1950s and 1960s.
One of the standout items from Unitas’ collection is his personal copy of the 1957 Topps Johnny Unitas rookie card. Known as “The Golden Arm,” Unitas played a pivotal role in leading the Colts to the NFL Championship in 1958, a game famously referred to as “The Greatest Game Ever Played.” This landmark victory, which was broadcast nationally, significantly boosted the NFL’s popularity in the 1960s.
A prime item up for auction is Unitas’ 14k gold 1958 championship ring, expected to fetch between $100,000 and $200,000. Unitas’ illustrious career with the Colts included three NFL Championships, a Super Bowl championship, three NFL MVP awards, and numerous NFL passing records, including an impressive streak of 47 consecutive games with a passing touchdown. His Super Bowl V championship ring is another highlight of the auction.
The items from Unitas’ career, being offered publicly for the first time, come with letters of provenance from the Unitas family. A portion of the proceeds will benefit NFL Auction Charities. The family has made it known that not all items from his career are being sold, as some have been previously donated for public display.
Highlights from the Johnny Unitas Collection include professional model high-top cleats from the 1970s (estimated at $15,000-$30,000), his 1979 Football Hall of Fame Induction ring (estimated at $25,000-$50,000), an autographed Baltimore Colts professional model helmet from the late 1960s-early 1970s (estimated at $25,000-$50,000), his 1967 NFL Most Valuable Player award – the Jim Thorpe Memorial Trophy (estimated at $25,000-$50,000), the 1964 Pro Bowl Most Valuable Player Award (estimated at $1,500-$3,000), and a Rolex wristwatch (estimated at $5,000-$10,000).
In addition to Unitas’ collection, the auction will also feature items from the personal collection of Cincinnati Bengals offensive lineman and Pro Football Hall of Fame inductee Anthony Muñoz. Muñoz, who was selected third overall in the 1980 NFL Draft from USC, made a profound impact on the Bengals and is regarded as one of the finest offensive linemen in NFL history. His collection includes his December 27, 1992, final game uniform (estimated at $5,000-$10,000), a Cincinnati Bengals professional model jersey from the 1980s (estimated at $5,000-$10,000), and more.
Among the other notable items up for auction are a 2014 Tom Brady autographed and inscribed game-worn jersey from the New England Patriots’ season opener against the Miami Dolphins (estimated at $250,000-$500,000). This jersey, photo-matched by MeiGray, is considered one of the finest Tom Brady game-worn jerseys to have entered the market.
Other items of interest include a 2022 Lamar Jackson game-worn Baltimore Ravens jersey (estimated at $20,000-$30,000), Lamar Jackson’s autographed 2018 rookie year game-worn cleats (estimated at $7,500-$15,000), and more. NFL Auction has also contributed items with proceeds benefiting the league’s nonprofit partners, including a Trevor Lawrence game-worn Jacksonville Jaguars jersey (estimated at $15,000-$30,000) and other pieces from notable players.
Sports fans and collectors will have the opportunity to preview the live auction items at the Super Bowl Experience at the Phoenix Convention Center from February 7th to 10th, with tickets required for entrance. Hunt Auctions experts will provide complimentary appraisals for sports memorabilia during these hours. Not only does this auction offer a unique glimpse into football history, but it also supports various charitable causes, making it a truly notable event in the sports community.
