In a thrilling auction event leading up to Super Bowl Sunday, the ring from Johnny Unitas’ Super Bowl V victory with the Baltimore Colts sold for an astonishing $258,500. This auction, part of the 17th annual Super Bowl Auction held in Las Vegas, showcased various items from the Hall of Fame quarterback’s illustrious career, all provided by his family. Despite Unitas’ early exit from the game against the Dallas Cowboys due to injury, his memorabilia, including the Super Bowl ring, garnered significant interest and commanding bids.
Notably, the auction price of Unitas’ Super Bowl V ring surpasses that of his 1958 NFL championship ring by over $100,000. The latter ring commemorates his pivotal role in the iconic overtime victory against the New York Giants, a game that is widely recognized for elevating the national stature of professional football.
Apart from the Super Bowl rings, other items of Unitas’ memorabilia also achieved substantial prices at the auction. His Hall of Fame ring, a symbol of his extraordinary career, fetched an impressive $38,175. Additionally, his 1967 NFL MVP award, recognizing his outstanding performance, went under the hammer for $64,625. Completing the collection of Unitas’ memorabilia, a pair of the quarterback’s signature high-top cleats sold for $27,025.
Equally commanding attention at the auction was a 2014 game-worn jersey belonging to Tom Brady, which matched the top sale price of Unitas’ Super Bowl ring at $258,500. Authenticated by MeiGray and worn during the season opener against the Dolphins, this jersey represented a season where Brady secured his fourth of seven Super Bowl titles, solidifying his own place in football history.
The auction also showcased items from Anthony Munoz, a Hall of Fame offensive lineman. One of the highlights was a game-worn Cincinnati Bengals jersey from the 1980s, which sold for an impressive $16,450. Another notable item was Munoz’s uniform from his final NFL game, which realized a price of $11,456.
Other notable sales included a 2023 Brock Purdy game-worn jersey, which fetched a price of $30,550, and a 2022 Lamar Jackson game-worn jersey, which garnered $22,325. A game-worn helmet from Ronnie Lott in the 1980s found a buyer for $19,975. In addition, a 1997 Dan Marino game-worn jersey sold for $17,625, and a game-used Super Bowl XXXVIII football attracted a winning bid of $14,100.
This auction served to highlight the enduring legacy and value of memorabilia from football legends. Collectors and fans alike were drawn to the opportunity to own a piece of sports history, making it clear that the impact of iconic players like Johnny Unitas and Tom Brady transcends time and continues to captivate the imagination of football enthusiasts.
