The 17th annual Super Bowl Live Auction, a highly anticipated event in the world of sports memorabilia, is gearing up to showcase an extensive collection of items from legendary pro football player Johnny Unitas. This collaborative effort between Hunt Auctions and the NFL is set to be a highlight for enthusiasts and collectors alike.
Taking place on Saturday, February 10th, just before Super Bowl LVIII, the auction will feature over 1,000 football-related items. Among them, hundreds have been consigned directly by the family of Johnny Unitas, the iconic Hall of Fame quarterback who passed away in 2002 at the age of 69.
Johnny Unitas, a prominent figure in football history, rose to fame as a star player at the University of Louisville. Despite being a ninth-round draft pick by the Pittsburgh Steelers, his career took a turn when he didn’t make the team, leading to his signing with the Baltimore Colts in 1956. Overcoming initial challenges, he went on to establish himself as one of the greatest 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 crucial role in leading the Colts to the NFL Championship in 1958, a game famously referred to as “The Greatest Game Ever Played.” This historic victory, broadcast nationally in overtime, significantly boosted the NFL’s popularity in the 1960s.
An exceptional item up for 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. His Super Bowl V championship ring is another coveted item on the auction block.
All items from Johnny Unitas’ career are being publicly offered for the first time and come with letters of provenance from the Unitas family. A portion of the proceeds will benefit NFL Auction Charities. The family has made it clear that not all items from his career will be sold, with some items 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 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 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 significant impact on the Bengals and is widely regarded as one of the finest offensive linemen in NFL history. His collection includes his final game uniform from December 27, 1992, 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 highlight is a 2014 Tom Brady autographed and inscribed New England Patriots game-worn jersey from the season opener against the Miami Dolphins. Considered one of the finest Tom Brady game-worn jerseys to have entered the market, it is photo-matched by MeiGray and carries an estimated value of $250,000 to $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. NFL Auction has also provided items with proceeds awarded to the league’s nonprofit partners, such as 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.
