The 17th annual Super Bowl Live Auction is set to take place, and it promises to be a highlight for sports memorabilia enthusiasts and collectors. The auction, a collaboration between Hunt Auctions and the NFL, will feature an extensive collection of items from the legendary pro football player Johnny Unitas, among others.
This year, over 1,000 football-related items will be showcased in the auction. Hundreds of these items have been consigned directly by the family of Johnny Unitas, the celebrated late Hall of Fame quarterback. Unitas, who passed away in 2002 at the age of 69, rose to fame as a collegiate star at the University of Louisville before becoming a key figure in football history.
One standout item from Unitas’ collection is his personal copy of his 1957 Topps Johnny Unitas rookie card. Known as “The Golden Arm,” Unitas led the Baltimore Colts to the NFL Championship in 1958, a game famously dubbed “The Greatest Game Ever Played.” This victory catapulted the NFL’s popularity in the 1960s.
Another prime item in the 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. His Super Bowl V championship ring is also up for 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 from these items will benefit NFL Auction Charities. It is worth noting that not all items from Unitas’ 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, his 1979 Football Hall of Fame Induction ring, an autographed Baltimore Colts professional model helmet, 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, had a profound impact on the Bengals. His collection includes his final game uniform, a Cincinnati Bengals professional model jersey, and more.
The auction will also include items from other notable football figures and events. One highlight is a Tom Brady autographed and inscribed New England Patriots game-worn jersey from the season opener in 2014. This jersey, photo-matched by MeiGray, is considered one of the finest Tom Brady game-worn jerseys on the market, with an estimate of $250,000 to $500,000.
Other notable items include a Lamar Jackson game-worn Baltimore Ravens jersey from 2022, Lamar Jackson’s autographed rookie year game-worn cleats, and more. NFL Auction has also provided items with proceeds going to the league’s nonprofit partners, including a Trevor Lawrence game-worn Jacksonville Jaguars jersey and pieces from other notable players.
The live auction items will be available for preview at the Super Bowl Experience at the Phoenix Convention Center from February 7-10, with tickets required for entrance. Hunt Auctions experts will offer complimentary appraisals for sports memorabilia during these hours. This 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.
