The 17th annual Super Bowl Live Auction is set to take place, bringing together football enthusiasts and collectors from around the world. This highly anticipated event, organized by Hunt Auctions in collaboration with the NFL, promises to be a highlight of this year’s Super Bowl festivities. The auction will feature an extensive collection of items, with the spotlight on the legendary pro football player Johnny Unitas.
Over 1,000 football-related items will be showcased, including hundreds of items from the personal collection of Johnny Unitas. Unitas, a Hall of Fame quarterback, is widely regarded as one of the greatest players in football history. His journey began at the University of Louisville, where he gained recognition as a star player. Despite facing initial setbacks, Unitas went on to sign with the Baltimore Colts in 1956 and establish himself as one of the preeminent players of the 1950s and 1960s.
Among the standout items from Unitas’ collection is his personal copy of his 1957 Topps Johnny Unitas rookie card. This iconic card represents the beginning of Unitas’ remarkable career and is highly sought after by collectors. Another notable item is Unitas’ 14k gold 1958 championship ring, which is expected to fetch between $100,000 and $200,000. Unitas’ impressive career with the Colts included three NFL Championships, a Super Bowl championship, and numerous individual accolades.
The items from Unitas’ collection come with letters of provenance from the Unitas family and will be sold publicly for the first time. A portion of the proceeds will be donated to NFL Auction Charities, furthering charitable causes supported by the NFL. It is important to note that not all items from Unitas’ career will be sold, as some have been previously donated for public display.
In addition to Unitas’ collection, the auction will also feature items from the personal collection of Anthony Muñoz, a Pro Football Hall of Famer and former Cincinnati Bengals offensive lineman. Muñoz is widely recognized as one of the finest offensive linemen in NFL history, and his collection includes items such as his final game uniform and a Bengals professional model jersey from the 1980s.
The auction is not limited to Unitas and Muñoz’s collections alone. It also includes 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, considered one of the finest Brady jerseys to have entered the market. Additionally, there are items from current NFL stars such as Lamar Jackson and Trevor Lawrence, providing fans with a chance to own memorabilia from some of today’s biggest talents.
For those eager to get a sneak peek of the auction items, there will be a preview available at the Super Bowl Experience at the Phoenix Convention Center from February 7-10. During these hours, Hunt Auctions experts will also be offering complimentary appraisals for sports memorabilia, adding another exciting element to the event.
The Super Bowl Live Auction is not just a gathering of football memorabilia, but also a platform to support various charitable causes. With the proceeds benefiting NFL Auction Charities and the league’s nonprofit partners, this event showcases the generosity of the sports community and its commitment to making a positive impact.
In conclusion, the 17th annual Super Bowl Live Auction is a must-attend event for sports enthusiasts and collectors. With items from football legends like Johnny Unitas and Anthony Muñoz, as well as current stars like Tom Brady and Lamar Jackson, the auction provides a unique opportunity to own a piece of football history. Additionally, the event’s charitable component adds an extra layer of significance, making it a truly remarkable occasion in the sports world.