The 17th annual Super Bowl Live Auction, a highly anticipated event in the world of sports memorabilia, is set to captivate enthusiasts and collectors with its impressive collection of items. The auction, a collaborative effort between Hunt Auctions and the NFL, will showcase over 1,000 football-related treasures, with a significant focus on the legendary pro football player Johnny Unitas.
Johnny Unitas, a celebrated late Hall of Fame quarterback, left an indelible mark on football history. From his collegiate stardom at the University of Louisville to his groundbreaking career with the Baltimore Colts, Unitas became one of the most iconic figures in the sport. This year’s auction will feature hundreds of items directly consigned by the Unitas family, offering fans and collectors a unique opportunity to own a piece of his remarkable legacy.
One standout item from Unitas’ collection is his personal copy of the 1957 Topps Johnny Unitas rookie card. Known as “The Golden Arm,” Unitas led the Colts to a landmark victory in the 1958 NFL Championship game, famously dubbed “The Greatest Game Ever Played.” This game, an overtime triumph, was broadcast nationally and significantly contributed to the NFL’s popularity in the 1960s.
One of the prime items in the auction is Unitas’ 14k gold 1958 championship ring, which is 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 several NFL passing records. His Super Bowl V championship ring is another highlight of the auction.
The items from Johnny Unitas’ extraordinary 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. It’s important to note that not all items from Unitas’ career are being sold, as some have been previously donated for public display.
Aside from the items from Johnny Unitas’ collection, the auction will also showcase items from the personal collection of Anthony Muñoz, a Cincinnati Bengals offensive lineman and Pro Football Hall of Fame inductee. Muñoz, widely regarded as one of the best offensive linemen in NFL history, had a significant impact on the Bengals. His collection includes his final game uniform from December 27, 1992, and a Cincinnati Bengals professional model jersey from the 1980s.
The auction will also feature items from other notable football figures and events. One of the highlights is a 2014 Tom Brady autographed and inscribed New England Patriots game-worn jersey from the season opener against the Miami Dolphins. This jersey, photo-matched by MeiGray, is considered one of the most prestigious Tom Brady game-worn jerseys available, with an estimated value of $250,000 to $500,000.
Additionally, the auction includes items from current NFL stars, such as a 2022 Lamar Jackson game-worn Baltimore Ravens jersey and Lamar Jackson’s autographed rookie-year game-worn cleats from 2018. NFL Auction has also provided items with proceeds awarded to the league’s nonprofit partners, including a Trevor Lawrence game-worn Jacksonville Jaguars jersey.
For those interested in previewing the live auction items, they will be available at the Super Bowl Experience held at the Phoenix Convention Center from February 7th to 10th. Entrance to the preview will require tickets. Hunt Auctions experts will also be on hand to 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 highly notable event in the sports community.