In an exciting auction leading up to Super Bowl Sunday, Johnny Unitas’ ring from the Baltimore Colts’ Super Bowl V victory fetched a staggering sale price of $258,500. This auction, held in Las Vegas as part of the 17th annual Super Bowl Auction, showcased several items from the esteemed Hall of Fame quarterback’s career, all consigned by his family. Despite Unitas’ early exit from the game due to injury, his memorabilia, including his Super Bowl ring, garnered significant interest and high bids.
What makes Unitas’ Super Bowl V ring even more remarkable is that it surpassed the auction price of his 1958 NFL championship ring by over $100,000. The championship ring commemorated his pivotal role in the iconic overtime victory against the New York Giants, a game that played a significant role in elevating the national stature of professional football.
Apart from the Super Bowl rings, other items from Unitas’ storied career were also auctioned. His Hall of Fame ring sold for $38,175, and his 1967 NFL MVP award fetched $64,625. Additionally, a pair of Unitas’ signature high-top cleats garnered a bid of $27,025.
Matching the top sale price of Unitas’ Super Bowl ring was a game-worn jersey from 2014 by none other than Tom Brady, selling for $258,500. This jersey, authenticated by MeiGray and worn during the season opener against the Dolphins, represented a year in which Brady secured his fourth of seven Super Bowl titles.
The auction didn’t stop with Unitas and Brady. It also featured items from other football legends, including Anthony Munoz, the Hall of Fame offensive lineman. Munoz’s game-worn Cincinnati Bengals jersey from the 1980s sold for $16,450, while the uniform from his final NFL game realized $11,456.
Other notable sales included a game-worn jersey from 2023 by Brock Purdy, which fetched $30,550, and a game-worn jersey from 2022 by Lamar Jackson, which sold for $22,325. A game-worn helmet from the 1980s, belonging to Ronnie Lott, garnered a bid of $19,975. Furthermore, a game-worn jersey worn by Dan Marino in 1997 sold for $17,625, and a game-used Super Bowl XXXVIII football went for $14,100. These sales highlighted the enduring legacy and value of memorabilia from football legends, attracting collectors and fans eager to own a piece of sports history.
In conclusion, the Super Bowl Auction showcased the remarkable value placed on iconic memorabilia from football legends like Johnny Unitas and Tom Brady. The auction’s high bids for Unitas’ Super Bowl and championship rings, along with other significant items from his career, emphasized the enduring allure and historical importance of sports memorabilia. This auction allowed collectors and fans a unique opportunity to own a tangible piece of football history, exemplifying the shared appreciation for the legends who have shaped the game we love.