The 17th annual Super Bowl Live Auction, a highly anticipated event in the world of sports memorabilia, is set to take place. This auction is a collaborative effort between Hunt Auctions and the NFL, and it promises to be a highlight for enthusiasts and collectors alike. The auction will showcase over 1,000 football-related items, including an extensive collection from the legendary pro football player Johnny Unitas.
Johnny Unitas, a celebrated late Hall of Fame quarterback, is the focus of this year’s auction. His family has consigned hundreds of items directly for the event. Unitas rose to fame as a collegiate star at the University of Louisville and went on to establish himself as one of the preeminent players of the 1950s and 1960s.
One standout item from Unitas’ collection is his personal copy of his 1957 Topps Johnny Unitas rookie card. Known as “The Golden Arm,” Unitas was instrumental in leading the Baltimore Colts to the NFL Championship in 1958, a game famously dubbed “The Greatest Game Ever Played.” This victory significantly boosted the NFL’s popularity in the 1960s.
Another prime item is Unitas’ 14k gold 1958 championship ring, anticipated 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. His Super Bowl V championship ring is also a highlight of the auction.
The items from Unitas’ career, 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. It’s worth noting that not all items from Unitas’ career are being sold, with some previously donated for public display.
Among the highlights from the Johnny Unitas Collection are professional model high-top cleats from the 1970s, his 1979 Football Hall of Fame Induction ring, an autographed Baltimore Colts professional model helmet from the late 1960s-early 1970s, his 1967 NFL Most Valuable Player award: the Jim Thorpe Memorial Trophy, the 1964 Pro Bowl Most Valuable Player Award, and a Rolex wristwatch.
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, regarded as one of the finest offensive linemen in NFL history, is offering items such as his final game uniform and a Cincinnati Bengals professional model jersey from the 1980s.
The auction will also include items from other notable football figures and events. A standout item is a 2014 Tom Brady autographed and inscribed New England Patriots game-worn jersey. This jersey, considered one of the finest Tom Brady game-worn jerseys to have entered the market, is estimated to be worth between $250,000 and $500,000.
Other notable items include a 2022 Lamar Jackson game-worn Baltimore Ravens jersey, Lamar Jackson’s autographed 2018 rookie year game-worn cleats, and more. NFL Auction has also provided items with proceeds awarded to the league’s nonprofit partners, including a Trevor Lawrence game-worn Jacksonville Jaguars jersey and other pieces from notable players.
Those interested in previewing the live auction items can do so at the Super Bowl Experience at the Phoenix Convention Center from February 7-10, with tickets required for entrance. Hunt Auctions experts will be available during these hours to offer complimentary appraisals for sports memorabilia. The auction not only offers a unique glimpse into football history but also supports various charitable causes, making it a notable event in the sports community.
