The 17th annual Super Bowl Live Auction is gearing up to be an unforgettable event for sports memorabilia enthusiasts. This highly anticipated auction, organized by Hunt Auctions and the NFL, will feature a vast collection of items from the legendary pro football player, Johnny Unitas. With over 1,000 football-related items up for grabs, including hundreds directly consigned by the Unitas family, this auction promises to captivate collectors and fans alike.
Johnny Unitas, a true icon in football history, began his rise to fame as a standout player at the University of Louisville. Despite facing initial setbacks, such as being a ninth-round draft pick by the Pittsburgh Steelers and not making the team, Unitas signed with the Baltimore Colts in 1956. He went on to establish himself as one of the most prominent players of the 1950s and 1960s.
One of the standout items from Unitas’ personal collection is his own 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 1958 NFL Championship, a game famously known as “The Greatest Game Ever Played.” This iconic win, broadcast nationally in overtime, significantly boosted the NFL’s popularity in the 1960s.
The auction’s prime item 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 highlight of the auction is Unitas’ Super Bowl V championship ring.
All items from 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 will benefit NFL Auction Charities. The family has emphasized that not all items from Unitas’ career are being sold, as some have been previously donated for public display.
Aside from the 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, known as one of the finest offensive linemen in NFL history, has contributed items such as his final game uniform from December 27, 1992, and a Cincinnati Bengals professional model jersey from the 1980s.
In addition to these legends, the auction showcases items from other notable football figures and events. A standout piece is a 2014 Tom Brady autographed and inscribed New England Patriots game-worn jersey, considered one of the finest Tom Brady jerseys to enter the market. Other remarkable items include a 2022 Lamar Jackson game-worn Baltimore Ravens jersey and Lamar Jackson’s autographed 2018 rookie year game-worn cleats.
The live auction items will be available for preview at the Super Bowl Experience at the Phoenix Convention Center from February 7th to 10th, with ticketed entrance. During these hours, Hunt Auctions experts will offer complimentary appraisals for sports memorabilia. This auction not only provides a unique glimpse into football history but also supports various charitable causes, making it a significant event in the sports community.