In a remarkable auction event preceding Super Bowl Sunday, Johnny Unitas’ Super Bowl V ring from the Baltimore Colts’ victory achieved a staggering sale price of $258,500. This auction, which took place in Las Vegas as part of the 17th annual Super Bowl Auction, featured various items from the Hall of Fame quarterback’s illustrious career, all consigned by his family. Despite his early exit from the game against the Dallas Cowboys due to injury, Unitas’ memorabilia, including his Super Bowl ring, garnered significant interest and fetched high bids.
What makes the sale of Unitas’ Super Bowl V ring even more impressive is that it surpassed the auction price of his 1958 NFL championship ring by over $100,000. This particular ring commemorated Unitas’ pivotal role in the iconic overtime victory against the New York Giants, a game often credited with elevating the national stature of professional football.
In addition to the Super Bowl rings, other items of Unitas’ memorabilia also found new owners at the auction. His Hall of Fame ring, a prestigious symbol of his induction, sold for an impressive $38,175. Furthermore, his 1967 NFL MVP award, a testament to his exceptional skills as a quarterback, went for $64,625. A pair of Unitas’ signature high-top cleats also found a buyer, fetching $27,025.
Matching the top sale price of Unitas’ Super Bowl ring was a 2014 game-worn jersey by none other than Tom Brady. This highly sought-after jersey, authenticated by MeiGray and worn during the season opener against the Dolphins, brought in an equal sum of $258,500. The jersey represents a season in which Brady secured his fourth of seven Super Bowl titles, solidifying his own legacy in the world of football.
The auction also included items from other legendary football players, such as Anthony Munoz, a Hall of Fame offensive lineman. A game-worn Cincinnati Bengals jersey from the 1980s belonging to Munoz fetched $16,450, showcasing the enduring popularity of his memorabilia. Additionally, the uniform from Munoz’s final NFL game realized $11,456, serving as a reminder of his remarkable career.
Other notable sales at the auction included a 2023 Brock Purdy game-worn jersey, which sold for $30,550, and a 2022 Lamar Jackson game-worn jersey, which went for $22,325. The auction also featured a 1980s Ronnie Lott game-worn helmet, which fetched $19,975, as well as a 1997 Dan Marino game-worn jersey that sold for $17,625. A game-used Super Bowl XXXVIII football rounded up the sales, fetching a price of $14,100.
This auction served as a testament to the enduring legacy and value of memorabilia from football legends. The allure of owning a piece of sports history drew collectors and fans alike, as evidenced by the significant prices these items commanded. Johnny Unitas’ Super Bowl and championship rings, alongside the memorabilia from other iconic players like Tom Brady and Anthony Munoz, will forever hold a special place in the hearts of football enthusiasts and collectors around the world.
