The 17th annual Super Bowl Live Auction, a highly anticipated event in the world of sports memorabilia, is set to shine the spotlight on the extensive collection of items from the legendary pro football player Johnny Unitas. Organized by Hunt Auctions and the NFL, this auction promises to be a highlight for enthusiasts and collectors alike.
Scheduled to take place on Saturday, February 10th, just before the eagerly awaited Super Bowl LVIII, the auction will feature over 1,000 football-related items. Among these, hundreds have been consigned directly by 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 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 path took a fortuitous turn when he didn’t make the Steelers’ team and ended up signing with the Baltimore Colts in 1956. Overcoming initial challenges, he established himself as one of the preeminent players of the 1950s and 1960s.
One of 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 that became famous as “The Greatest Game Ever Played.” This landmark victory, which was broadcast nationally and won in overtime, significantly boosted the NFL’s popularity in the 1960s.
An especially noteworthy item 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. His Super Bowl V championship ring is also a highlight of the auction.
These items from Johnny Unitas’ career, which are being offered publicly for the first time, come with letters of provenance from the Unitas family. A portion of the proceeds will benefit NFL Auction Charities. The family has clarified that not all items from his career are being sold, as some have been previously donated for public display.
Some notable items 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 even a Rolex wristwatch.
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, had a profound impact on the Bengals and is regarded as one of the finest offensive linemen in NFL history. His collection includes his final game uniform from December 27, 1992, a Cincinnati Bengals professional model jersey from the 1980s, and more.
Other notable items in the auction include 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.
Lamar Jackson, the dynamic Baltimore Ravens quarterback, is also represented in the auction with a game-worn jersey from 2022 and his autographed rookie year game-worn cleats from 2018. The auction also offers items from other NFL players, including a Trevor Lawrence game-worn Jacksonville Jaguars jersey, with proceeds going to the league’s nonprofit partners.
The live auction items will be available for preview at the Super Bowl Experience at the Phoenix Convention Center from February 7-10, with tickets required for entrance. 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 truly noteworthy event in the sports community.
