
The Super Bowl Live Auction is back for its 17th year, bringing together sports memorabilia enthusiasts and collectors for a highly anticipated event. This year’s auction, organized by Hunt Auctions in collaboration with the NFL, is set to showcase over 1,000 football-related items, with a special focus on the legendary Johnny Unitas.
Johnny Unitas, a prolific pro football player and a Hall of Fame quarterback, left an indelible mark on the sport. His family has consigned hundreds of items directly to the auction, providing fans and collectors with a unique opportunity to own a piece of Unitas’ legacy. From memorabilia to personal items, his collection offers a glimpse into the remarkable career of a football icon.
One of the standout items from Unitas’ collection is his personal copy of the 1957 Topps Johnny Unitas rookie card. Known as “The Golden Arm,” Unitas played a pivotal role in leading the Baltimore Colts to victory in the 1958 NFL Championship, a game that would go down in history as “The Greatest Game Ever Played.” This landmark moment helped propel the NFL to new heights of popularity in the 1960s.
Another prime item up for 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 yet another highlight of the auction.
All items from 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 made it known that not all items from his career are being sold, as some were previously donated for public display.
Aside from Johnny Unitas’ collection, the auction will also feature items from the personal collection of Anthony Muñoz, a Cincinnati Bengals offensive lineman and Pro Football Hall of Fame inductee. Muñoz, considered one of the greatest offensive linemen in NFL history, has contributed his December 27, 1992, final game uniform and a Cincinnati Bengals professional model jersey from the 1980s to the auction.
In addition to these iconic collections, the auction will offer items from other notable football figures and events. One of the highlights is a 2014 Tom Brady autographed and inscribed New England Patriots game-worn jersey, which is believed to be one of the finest Tom Brady game-worn jerseys ever to enter the market, with an estimated value of $250,000 to $500,000.
Other notable items include a 2022 Lamar Jackson game-worn Baltimore Ravens jersey, Lamar Jackson’s autographed rookie year game-worn cleats, and more. The NFL Auction has also provided items with proceeds going to the league’s nonprofit partners, including a Trevor Lawrence game-worn Jacksonville Jaguars jersey and other pieces from notable players.
For those eager to preview the live auction items, they will be available at the Super Bowl Experience held at the Phoenix Convention Center from February 7-10, with tickets required for entry. Hunt Auctions experts will be present to offer complimentary appraisals for sports memorabilia during these hours. This auction not only offers a unique opportunity to own a piece of football history but also supports various charitable causes, making it a truly remarkable event in the sports community.