The 17th annual Super Bowl Live Auction is set to take place, showcasing an extensive collection of football memorabilia, including items from the legendary pro football player Johnny Unitas. This highly anticipated event, a collaboration between Hunt Auctions and the NFL, is a highlight for sports enthusiasts and collectors.
With over 1,000 football-related items on display, the auction culminates in a live auction event just before Super Bowl LVIII on Saturday, February 10th. Consignments directly from the family of Johnny Unitas make up a significant portion of the collection. Unitas, a celebrated Hall of Fame quarterback, passed away in 2002 at the age of 69, leaving behind a legacy that continues to inspire.
Unitas rose to fame during his college years at the University of Louisville and overcame challenges to establish himself as one of the preeminent players of the 1950s and 1960s. His personal copy of his 1957 Topps Johnny Unitas rookie card is one of the standout items from his collection. Known as “The Golden Arm,” Unitas led the Baltimore Colts to victory in the NFL Championship in 1958, a game famously known as “The Greatest Game Ever Played.” This historic victory increased the NFL’s popularity in the 1960s.
One of the prime items in the 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. Another highlight is his Super Bowl V championship ring.
The items from Unitas’ career are being offered publicly for the first time and come with letters of provenance from the Unitas family. A portion of the proceeds from the auction will benefit NFL Auction Charities. It should be noted that not all items from his career are being sold, as some were previously donated for public display.
Aside from Unitas’ collection, the auction also features items from the personal collection of Anthony Muñoz, a Cincinnati Bengals offensive lineman and Pro Football Hall of Fame inductee. Muñoz, considered one of the finest offensive linemen in NFL history, had a profound 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 also includes items from other notable football figures and events, such as a 2014 Tom Brady autographed and inscribed New England Patriots game-worn jersey. This jersey, estimated to be worth between $250,000 and $500,000, is considered one of the finest Tom Brady game-worn jerseys to have entered the market.
Other notable items include a 2022 Lamar Jackson game-worn Baltimore Ravens jersey, Lamar Jackson’s autographed rookie year game-worn cleats from 2018, 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.
For those interested in previewing the live auction items, they will be available at the Super Bowl Experience at the Phoenix Convention Center from February 7-10, with tickets required for entrance. Hunt Auctions experts will also be offering complimentary appraisals for sports memorabilia during these hours. The Super Bowl Live Auction not only provides a unique glimpse into football history but also supports various charitable causes, making it a highly anticipated event in the sports community.