In a testament to the enduring legacy of one of football’s greatest players, Johnny Unitas, several items from his storied career recently fetched impressive prices at the 17th annual Super Bowl Auction in Las Vegas. Organized just before Super Bowl Sunday, this auction featured memorabilia consigned by Unitas’ family, drawing collectors and fans eager to own a piece of sports history.
One of the headline items of the auction was Unitas’ Super Bowl V ring from the Baltimore Colts’ victory, which sold for an astounding $258,500. Despite Unitas exiting the game early due to injury, his Super Bowl ring drew considerable interest and garnered high bids. What made this sale even more remarkable was the fact that the auction price of Unitas’ Super Bowl ring surpassed that of his 1958 NFL championship ring by over $100,000. The latter ring commemorated Unitas’ iconic role in the overtime victory against the New York Giants, widely regarded as a game that elevated the national stature of professional football.
Alongside the Super Bowl ring, other pieces of Unitas’ memorabilia also commanded impressive prices. His Hall of Fame ring, symbolizing his extraordinary career, fetched $38,175. Additionally, his 1967 NFL MVP award, a testament to his exceptional performance that season, sold for $64,625. Not to be forgotten were a pair of Unitas’ signature high-top cleats, which went under the hammer for $27,025.
Matching the top sale price of Unitas’ Super Bowl ring was a game-worn jersey by the modern-day football superstar, Tom Brady. Authenticated by MeiGray, the jersey was worn by Brady during the 2014 season opener against the Dolphins. This particular jersey represented a season where Brady secured his fourth Super Bowl title out of his incredible seven championships. Collectors and fans primed for a piece of Brady’s legacy pushed the bidding to reach $258,500.
The Super Bowl Auction also featured items from other football legends. Among them was Anthony Munoz, the Hall of Fame offensive lineman. Munoz’s game-worn 1980s Cincinnati Bengals jersey fetched an impressive $16,450. Another notable sale was Munoz’s uniform from his final NFL game, which realized $11,456, providing fans with a tangible connection to the end of his illustrious career.
The auction saw other noteworthy sales, demonstrating the enduring demand for football memorabilia. A 2023 Brock Purdy game-worn jersey sold for an impressive $30,550, while a 2022 Lamar Jackson game-worn jersey commanded $22,325. Collectors also showed great interest in a 1980s Ronnie Lott game-worn helmet, which sold for $19,975. A 1997 Dan Marino game-worn jersey fetched $17,625, and a game-used Super Bowl XXXVIII football attracted a winning bid of $14,100.
Overall, the 17th annual Super Bowl Auction proved to be a tremendous success, highlighting the evergreen popularity of football memorabilia and the enduring appeal of legendary players like Johnny Unitas and modern-day superstars like Tom Brady. Collectors and fans alike demonstrated their desire to own a piece of sports history, driving the auction prices to impressive levels. With each sale, these pieces of memorabilia continue to tell the stories of football’s greatest moments and the athletes who made them possible.
