The 17th annual Super Bowl Live Auction, a highly anticipated event in the world of sports memorabilia, is set to take place, featuring an extensive collection of items from the legendary pro football player Johnny Unitas. This auction, a collaboration between Hunt Auctions and the NFL, promises to be a highlight for enthusiasts and collectors alike.
With over 1,000 football-related items on display, the auction culminates in a live auction event on Saturday, February 10th, just before Super Bowl LVIII. Among the impressive selection, 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.
Johnny Unitas, a remarkable figure in the history of football, first made a name for himself as a collegiate star at the University of Louisville. Despite being a ninth-round draft pick by the Pittsburgh Steelers, Unitas found his breakthrough when he signed with the Baltimore Colts in 1956 after not making the Steelers’ team. Overcoming initial challenges, he established 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 played a pivotal role in leading the Colts to victory in the NFL Championship in 1958, a game famously referred to as “The Greatest Game Ever Played.” This historic win, a nationally broadcasted overtime triumph, significantly boosted the NFL’s popularity in the 1960s.
A prime highlight of 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, including an impressive streak of 47 consecutive games with a passing touchdown. Another notable item is his Super Bowl V championship ring.
These rare items from Johnny Unitas’ career, being offered to the public 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. The family has also mentioned 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 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, selected third overall in the 1980 NFL Draft from USC, had a profound impact on the Bengals and is regarded as one of the finest offensive linemen in NFL history. His collection includes his final game uniform, a Cincinnati Bengals professional model jersey from the 1980s, and more.
The auction will also include items from other notable football figures and events. One standout item is a 2014 Tom Brady autographed and inscribed New England Patriots game-worn jersey from the season opener against the Miami Dolphins on September 7, 2014. This jersey, photo-matched by MeiGray and carrying an estimate of $250,000 to $500,000, is 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. 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.
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.