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 these, hundreds have been consigned directly by the family of Johnny Unitas, the celebrated late Hall of Fame quarterback who passed away in 2002.
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 Steelers’ team, leading to his signing with the Baltimore Colts in 1956. He then established himself as one of the preeminent players of the 1950s and 1960s.
One standout item from Unitas’ collection is his personal copy of his 1957 Topps Johnny Unitas rookie card. Known as “The Golden Arm,” Unitas was instrumental in leading the Colts to the NFL Championship in 1958, a game famously dubbed “The Greatest Game Ever Played.” This landmark victory 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. His Super Bowl V championship ring is another highlight of the auction.
The items from Unitas’ career, 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. It’s important to note that not all items from his career are being sold, with some 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, 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. 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.
Notably, the auction also supports various charitable causes, with proceeds benefiting the NFL’s nonprofit partners. This event provides a unique glimpse into football history while making a positive impact in the sports community. The live auction items will be available for preview at the Super Bowl Experience at the Phoenix Convention Center, with complimentary appraisals for sports memorabilia offered by Hunt Auctions experts.
