The 17th annual Super Bowl Live Auction, a highly anticipated event in the world of sports memorabilia, is set to showcase 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 for enthusiasts and collectors alike.
Taking place on Saturday, February 10th, just before Super Bowl LVIII, the auction will feature over 1,000 football-related items. Among them, hundreds have been consigned directly by the family of Johnny Unitas, the celebrated late Hall of Fame quarterback. Unitas, who passed away in 2002 at the age of 69, is a remarkable figure in football history.
Unitas rose to fame as a collegiate star at the University of Louisville and made his mark in the NFL after signing with the Baltimore Colts in 1956. Known as “The Golden Arm,” he led the Colts to the NFL Championship in 1958, a game famously dubbed “The Greatest Game Ever Played.” This victory, which was broadcast nationally, significantly boosted the popularity of the NFL in the 1960s.
One of the standout items from Unitas’ collection is his personal copy of his 1957 Topps Johnny Unitas rookie card. This card holds significant historical value, as Unitas’ career achievements and contributions solidified his status as one of the preeminent players of the 1950s and 1960s.
Another prime item in the auction is Unitas’ 14k gold 1958 championship ring, estimated to fetch between $100,000 and $200,000. Unitas’ illustrious career with the Colts includes three NFL Championships, a Super Bowl championship, three NFL MVP awards, and numerous NFL passing records, including a remarkable streak of 47 consecutive games with a passing touchdown. His Super Bowl V championship ring is also a highlight of the auction.
These items from Unitas’ career, available to the public 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 worth noting that not all items from Unitas’ career are being sold, as some have been previously donated for public display.
Highlights from the Johnny Unitas Collection include professional model high-top cleats from the 1970s, his 1979 Football Hall of Fame Induction ring, an autographed Baltimore Colts professional model helmet from the late 1960s-early 1970s, his 1967 NFL Most Valuable Player award, the Jim Thorpe Memorial Trophy, the 1964 Pro Bowl Most Valuable Player Award, and a Rolex wristwatch.
In addition to Unitas’ collection, the auction will feature items from the personal collection of Cincinnati Bengals offensive lineman and Pro Football Hall of Fame inductee Anthony Muñoz. Muñoz, regarded as 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. One highlight is a 2014 Tom Brady autographed and inscribed New England Patriots game-worn jersey from the season opener against the Miami Dolphins, 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 2018 rookie year game-worn cleats, 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 and pieces from other notable players.
The live auction items will be available to preview at the Super Bowl Experience at the Phoenix Convention Center from February 7-10, and tickets are required for entrance. Hunt Auctions experts will also offer complimentary appraisals for sports memorabilia during these hours. The auction not only offers a unique glimpse into football history but also supports various charitable causes, making it a notable event in the sports community.
