The 17th annual Super Bowl Live Auction, a highly anticipated event in the world of sports memorabilia, is set to feature an extensive collection of items from legendary pro football player Johnny Unitas. This collaborative effort between Hunt Auctions and the NFL promises to be a highlight for enthusiasts and collectors alike.
Taking place on Saturday, February 10th, just before Super Bowl LVIII, the auction will showcase over 1,000 football-related items. Out of these, hundreds have been consigned directly by the family of Johnny Unitas, the celebrated late Hall of Fame quarterback who passed away in 2002.
Unitas, who rose to fame as a collegiate star at the University of Louisville, had a remarkable journey in football. Despite being a ninth-round draft pick by the Pittsburgh Steelers, he didn’t make the team and ended up signing with the Baltimore Colts in 1956. From there, he established himself as one of the most prominent 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. Known as “The Golden Arm,” Unitas played a pivotal role in leading the Colts to the NFL Championship in 1958, a game famously dubbed “The Greatest Game Ever Played.” This victory, aired nationally in overtime, significantly boosted the NFL’s popularity in the 1960s.
A highly sought-after item in the auction is Unitas’ 14k gold 1958 championship ring, estimated 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. Another highlight is his Super Bowl V championship ring.
These items from Unitas’ career, 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. The family has noted that not all items from his 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, Unitas’ 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, has items such as his final game uniform and a Cincinnati Bengals professional model jersey.
The auction also includes memorabilia from other notable football figures and events. A highlight is a 2014 Tom Brady autographed and inscribed New England Patriots game-worn jersey from the season opener. This jersey, considered one of the finest Tom Brady game-worn jerseys available, is estimated to be valued 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. The NFL Auction has also provided items with proceeds awarded to the league’s nonprofit partners, including a Trevor Lawrence game-worn Jacksonville Jaguars jersey.
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 entry. Hunt Auctions experts will offer complimentary appraisals for sports memorabilia during these hours. Not only does this auction offer a unique glimpse into football history, but it also supports various charitable causes, making it a notable event in the sports community.
