In a thrilling auction event ahead of Super Bowl Sunday, the legendary Johnny Unitas’ prized Super Bowl and championship rings were sold for a combined total of over $400,000. The auction, part of the 17th annual Super Bowl Auction held in Las Vegas, featured a collection of memorabilia from the Hall of Fame quarterback’s illustrious career, all consigned by his family. The highest-selling item was Unitas’ ring from the Baltimore Colts’ Super Bowl V victory, which achieved an impressive sale price of $258,500. Despite Unitas’ early exit from the game due to injury against the Dallas Cowboys, his Super Bowl ring and other memorabilia garnered significant interest and attracted high bids.
Notably, the auction price of Unitas’ Super Bowl V ring surpassed that of his 1958 NFL championship ring by over $100,000. The latter commemorative piece represented his pivotal role in the historic overtime victory against the New York Giants, a game credited with elevating the national stature of professional football.
Alongside Unitas’ Super Bowl rings, other pieces of memorabilia from his career also found new owners. His Hall of Fame ring fetched a notable sum of $38,175, highlighting the immense value placed on this prestigious honor. Furthermore, Unitas’ 1967 NFL Most Valuable Player (MVP) award, a symbol of his exceptional performance during that season, was sold for a remarkable $64,625. The auction also saw a pair of Unitas’ signature high-top cleats being sold for $27,025, further emphasizing the enduring appeal of his memorabilia.
Matching the top sale price of Unitas’ Super Bowl ring was a game-worn jersey worn by the legendary Tom Brady in 2014, which also brought in an impressive $258,500. Authenticated by MeiGray and worn during the season opener against the Dolphins, this jersey represented a significant milestone for Brady, as he secured his fourth of seven Super Bowl championships that year. The high price paid for Brady’s jersey reaffirms his status as one of the greatest quarterbacks in football history.
The auction also featured items belonging to another Hall of Fame inductee, Anthony Munoz. A game-worn 1980s Cincinnati Bengals jersey worn by Munoz fetched a respectable $16,450, highlighting the enduring popularity of one of the league’s most respected offensive linemen. Additionally, Munoz’s uniform from his final NFL game achieved a price of $11,456, serving as a testament to his remarkable career.
Other notable sales during the auction included a 2023 Brock Purdy game-worn jersey, which sold for $30,550, demonstrating the growing interest in collecting memorabilia from emerging stars. A 2022 Lamar Jackson game-worn jersey also attracted attention, selling for $22,325, reflecting the popularity of the dynamic quarterback. A 1980s Ronnie Lott game-worn helmet, a relic from the era of hard-hitting defense, fetched $19,975. In addition, a 1997 Dan Marino game-worn jersey sold for $17,625, highlighting the enduring appeal of one of the greatest quarterbacks of all time. Lastly, a game-used Super Bowl XXXVIII football changed hands for $14,100, proving that collectors and fans alike are willing to pay premium prices for a piece of sports history.
The significant prices achieved at this auction underscore the enduring legacy and value of memorabilia from football legends. Fans and collectors eagerly compete for the chance to own a tangible piece of sports history, preserving the accomplishments of their favorite players for generations to come. As football continues to captivate audiences and create new stars, the allure of these cherished artifacts only grows, further cementing the importance of football memorabilia in the realm of sports collecting.
