In a highly anticipated auction event leading up to Super Bowl Sunday, Johnny Unitas’ Super Bowl V ring from the Baltimore Colts’ victory reached an impressive sale price of $258,500. This auction, part of the 17th annual Super Bowl Auction in Las Vegas, showcased various artifacts from the legendary Hall of Fame quarterback’s illustrious career, all consigned by his family. Despite a premature exit from the game due to injury, Unitas’ memorabilia, including his Super Bowl ring, generated 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 ring commemorated his pivotal role in the iconic overtime victory against the New York Giants, a game that is credited with elevating the national stature of professional football.
Apart from the Super Bowl rings, other items of Unitas’ memorabilia were also highly sought after. His Hall of Fame ring garnered a noteworthy sum of $38,175, while his 1967 NFL MVP award fetched an impressive $64,625. Moreover, a pair of Unitas’ signature high-top cleats found a new owner for $27,025.
Sharing the top spot with Unitas’ Super Bowl ring was a game-worn jersey by Tom Brady from 2014, which also sold for $258,500. Authenticated by MeiGray and worn during the season opener against the Dolphins, this jersey represented one of Brady’s four Super Bowl victories out of his total of seven.
The auction featured additional items from football greats, including Anthony Munoz, the Hall of Fame offensive lineman. His game-worn Cincinnati Bengals jersey from the 1980s fetched a respectable $16,450, while the uniform from his final NFL game realized $11,456.
Other notable sales included a 2023 game-worn jersey by Brock Purdy for $30,550, a 2022 game-worn Lamar Jackson jersey for $22,325, a game-worn helmet by Ronnie Lott from the 1980s, which fetched $19,975, a 1997 game-worn jersey by Dan Marino that sold for $17,625, and a game-used Super Bowl XXXVIII football that commanded a price of $14,100. These sales serve as a testament to the enduring legacy and value of memorabilia from football legends, attracting collectors and fans alike who seek to own a tangible piece of sports history.
The auction highlighted the immense cultural significance attached to these iconic items, which transcend mere material value. Each ring, jersey, and helmet tells a story of hard work, dedication, and historic moments that have shaped the landscape of American sports. As these artifacts change hands and find new owners, they continue to inspire awe and admiration in the hearts of fans, reminding us all of the remarkable achievements of football’s greatest legends.
In conclusion, Johnny Unitas’ Super Bowl and championship rings, along with other football memorabilia, garnered impressive prices at auction, reaffirming the enduring appeal and value of these historic items. With each buyer, these artifacts find a new home and continue to preserve the legacy of the legends they represent, allowing fans to share in the rich heritage of the game they love.
