The 17th annual Super Bowl Live Auction, known as a highly anticipated event in the world of sports memorabilia, is set to captivate enthusiasts and collectors with an extensive collection of items from legendary pro football player Johnny Unitas. This year, the auction, a collaboration between Hunt Auctions and the NFL, will showcase over 1,000 football-related items, with hundreds of them directly consigned by the family of the late Hall of Fame quarterback.
Johnny Unitas, a remarkable figure in football history, rose to fame as a collegiate star 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, leading to his signing with the Baltimore Colts in 1956. Overcoming initial challenges, Unitas established himself as one of the preeminent players of the 1950s and 1960s.
Among the standout items 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 the NFL Championship in 1958, a game famously dubbed “The Greatest Game Ever Played.” This historic victory, broadcast nationally in overtime, significantly boosted the NFL’s popularity in the 1960s.
A prime item in the auction is Unitas’ 14k gold 1958 championship ring, anticipated 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. His Super Bowl V championship ring is also a highlight of the auction.
The items from Unitas’ career, being offered publicly for the first time, come with letters of provenance from the Unitas family, and a portion of the proceeds will benefit NFL Auction Charities. It’s worth noting that not all items from his career will be 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 also 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, a Cincinnati Bengals professional model jersey from the 1980s, and more.
The auction will also include items from other notable football figures and events. A highlight is a 2014 Tom Brady autographed and inscribed New England Patriots game-worn jersey, considered one of the finest Tom Brady game-worn jerseys to have entered the market. Additionally, there are items from current stars like Lamar Jackson, including a game-worn jersey from 2022 and autographed rookie year game-worn cleats from 2018.
Not only will the live auction items be available for preview at the Super Bowl Experience at the Phoenix Convention Center from February 7-10, but Hunt Auctions experts will also offer complimentary appraisals for sports memorabilia during these hours. This auction not only offers a unique glimpse into football history but also supports various charitable causes, making it a highly anticipated event in the sports community.
