The 17th annual Super Bowl Live Auction, a highly anticipated event in the world of sports memorabilia, is set to take place and promises to be a highlight for enthusiasts and collectors. This year, the auction will showcase over 1,000 football-related items, including an extensive collection from the legendary pro football player Johnny Unitas.
Hundreds of items have been consigned directly by the family of Johnny Unitas, the celebrated late Hall of Fame quarterback who passed away in 2002. Unitas, known as “The Golden Arm,” 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 of the standout items from Unitas’ collection is his personal copy of his 1957 Topps Johnny Unitas rookie card. This card holds significant historical value as Unitas was instrumental in leading the Baltimore Colts to the NFL Championship in 1958, a game famously known as “The Greatest Game Ever Played.”
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 passing records. His Super Bowl V championship ring is also up for auction.
The items from Unitas’ career, which are offered publicly for the first time, come with letters of provenance from the Unitas family. A portion of the proceeds from the auction will benefit NFL Auction Charities. It’s important to note that not all items from Unitas’ career are being sold, with some having been previously donated for public display.
Highlights from the Johnny Unitas Collection include professional model high-top cleats from the 1970s, his 1979 Football Hall of Fame Induction ring, an autographed Baltimore Colts 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 feature items from the personal collection of Anthony Muñoz, a Pro Football Hall of Fame inductee. Muñoz, regarded as one of the finest offensive linemen in NFL history, played for the Cincinnati Bengals and had a profound impact on the team. His collection includes his final game uniform, a Cincinnati Bengals professional model jersey from the 1980s, and more.
The auction also includes items from other notable football figures and events. A highlight is a 2014 Tom Brady autographed and inscribed New England Patriots game-worn jersey, considered one of the finest Tom Brady game-worn jerseys to have entered the market. 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.
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 be on hand to 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 highly notable event in the sports community.
