In an exciting auction event leading up to Super Bowl Sunday, the auction for Johnny Unitas’ memorabilia exceeded expectations. The highlight of the auction was Unitas’ ring from the Baltimore Colts’ Super Bowl V victory, which sold for an impressive price of $258,500. The auction, held in Las Vegas as part of the 17th annual Super Bowl Auction, featured several items consigned by Unitas’ family, attracting collectors and fans alike.
Despite Unitas’ premature exit from the Super Bowl V game against the Dallas Cowboys due to injury, his memorabilia, including his Super Bowl ring, garnered significant interest and drew high bids. Surprisingly, the auction price of his Super Bowl V ring surpassed that of his 1958 NFL championship ring by over $100,000. The championship ring, commemorating his role in the legendary overtime victory against the New York Giants, is widely recognized as a game that helped propel professional football to national prominence.
Alongside the Super Bowl rings, other items from Unitas’ illustrious career were also up for auction. His Hall of Fame ring, symbolizing his induction into the prestigious football Hall of Fame, sold for an impressive sum of $38,175. Additionally, his 1967 NFL MVP award, earned for his outstanding performance as the league’s most valuable player, fetched a noteworthy price of $64,625. Even a pair of Unitas’ signature high-top cleats found a new owner, selling for $27,025.
Matching the top sale price of Unitas’ Super Bowl ring was a game-worn jersey from Tom Brady’s 2014 season, which also sold for $258,500. This jersey, authenticated by MeiGray and worn during the season opener against the Dolphins, symbolized a season where Brady secured his fourth of seven Super Bowl titles. The allure of owning such historical memorabilia attracted collectors willing to pay top dollar for these iconic pieces.
The auction didn’t solely focus on Unitas’ items; it also featured memorabilia from other football legends. Anthony Munoz, a Hall of Fame offensive lineman, contributed to the auction with a game-worn Cincinnati Bengals jersey from the 1980s, which sold for $16,450. The uniform he wore during his final NFL game also garnered attention, fetching a respectable price of $11,456.
Other notable sales included a 2023 Brock Purdy game-worn jersey, selling for an impressive $30,550, and a 2022 Lamar Jackson game-worn jersey, which went for $22,325. Collectors also vied for a game-worn helmet from Ronnie Lott, a legendary defensive player from the 1980s, with the winning bid reaching $19,975. A game-worn jersey from Dan Marino’s 1997 season, representing one of the greatest quarterbacks in NFL history, sold for $17,625. A game-used Super Bowl XXXVIII football also found a new home, fetching a price of $14,100.
The auction served as a testament to the enduring legacy and value of memorabilia from football legends. Collectors and fans were eager to own a tangible piece of sports history, driving the bidding prices to impressive heights. The auction not only celebrated the greatness of Johnny Unitas but also highlighted the historical significance of other iconic players who have left an indelible mark on the world of football.
With Unitas’ Super Bowl and championship rings commanding such impressive prices, it’s evident that the allure of owning memorabilia from football’s greatest moments continues to captivate collectors and fans alike.