The 17th annual Super Bowl Live Auction, a highly anticipated event in the world of sports memorabilia, is set to feature an extensive collection of items from the legendary pro football player Johnny Unitas. This collaboration 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 showcase over 1,000 football-related items. Among these items, hundreds have been consigned directly by the family of Johnny Unitas, the celebrated late Hall of Fame quarterback.
Johnny Unitas rose to fame as a collegiate star at the University of Louisville and became a remarkable figure in football history. Despite facing initial challenges, he established himself as one of the preeminent players of the 1950s and 1960s. Unitas’ collection includes standout items such as his personal copy of his 1957 Topps Johnny Unitas rookie card, known as “The Golden Arm.” This card holds significant historical value as Unitas led the Baltimore Colts to victory in the 1958 NFL Championship, a game regarded as “The Greatest Game Ever Played.”
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 passing records. His Super Bowl V championship ring is also a highlight of the auction.
The items from Johnny Unitas’ career, 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. Notably, not all items from his career are being sold, as some have been previously donated for public display.
Apart from Unitas’ collection, the auction will also feature items from the personal collection of Anthony Muñoz, a Pro Football Hall of Fame inductee and renowned Cincinnati Bengals offensive lineman. Muñoz is widely regarded as one of the finest offensive linemen in NFL history. His collection includes his final game uniform from December 27, 1992, and a Cincinnati Bengals professional model jersey from the 1980s, among other items.
The auction further 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, this jersey is estimated to be valued between $250,000 and $500,000.
Other noteworthy 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, among other pieces from notable players.
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 be offering 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 notable event in the sports community.
