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 an extensive collection of items from the legendary pro football player, Johnny Unitas. This collaborative effort between Hunt Auctions and the NFL promises to be a highlight of the Super Bowl festivities.
Scheduled to take place on Saturday, February 10th, just before Super Bowl LVIII, the auction will showcase over 1,000 football-related items. Among them, a significant portion will come from the family of Johnny Unitas, the celebrated late Hall of Fame quarterback who passed away in 2002 at the age of 69.
Johnny Unitas, a notable 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 journey took a turn when he didn’t make the team. However, he found success after signing with the Baltimore Colts in 1956. Unitas went on to establish himself as one of the preeminent players of the 1950s and 1960s.
One standout item 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 victory in the 1958 NFL Championship game, famously known as “The Greatest Game Ever Played.” This historic overtime triumph catapulted the popularity of the NFL 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. Notably, he holds the record for 47 consecutive games with a passing touchdown. His Super Bowl V championship ring is another highly sought-after item.
The items from Johnny Unitas’ career, being 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 is worth mentioning 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 a pair of professional model high-top cleats from the 1970s, estimated to be worth $15,000-$30,000, his 1979 Football Hall of Fame Induction ring, estimated at $25,000-$50,000, an autographed Baltimore Colts professional model helmet from the late 1960s to early 1970s, estimated at $25,000-$50,000, his 1967 NFL Most Valuable Player award, the Jim Thorpe Memorial Trophy, estimated at $25,000-$50,000, the 1964 Pro Bowl Most Valuable Player Award, estimated at $1,500-$3,000, and a Rolex wristwatch estimated at $5,000-$10,000.
In addition to Johnny 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, selected third overall in the 1980 NFL Draft from USC, made 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, estimated at $5,000-$10,000, a Cincinnati Bengals professional model jersey from the 1980s, estimated at $5,000-$10,000, and more.
The auction also includes items from other notable football figures and events. A highlight of the auction 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 finest Tom Brady game-worn jerseys to have entered the market, with an estimated value of $250,000 to $500,000.
Additionally, there are other notable items available, such as a 2022 Lamar Jackson game-worn Baltimore Ravens jersey, estimated at $20,000-$30,000, Lamar Jackson’s autographed 2018 rookie year game-worn cleats, estimated at $7,500-$15,000, and more. NFL Auction has also provided items with proceeds awarded to the league’s nonprofit partners, including a Trevor Lawrence game-worn Jacksonville Jaguars jersey, estimated at $15,000-$30,000, and pieces from other notable players.
For those interested, the live auction items will be available for preview at the Super Bowl Experience at the Phoenix Convention Center from February 7th to 10th. Entrance tickets are required. During this time, Hunt Auctions experts will be offering complimentary appraisals for sports memorabilia. This auction not only offers a unique glimpse into football history but also supports various charitable causes, making it a highly notable event in the sports community.
