Historic NFL Memorabilia Auction: Unitas' Super Bowl Ring Commands $258,500

The annual Super Bowl Auction in Las Vegas saw Johnny Unitas' memorabilia, including his Super Bowl V ring, fetching high bids, with the legendary quarterback's items from the Baltimore Colts' victory and his career drawing significant interest.

Before the excitement of Super Bowl Sunday, an auction in Las Vegas showcased a piece of NFL history as Johnny Unitas' Super Bowl V ring was sold for an impressive $258,500. The sale was part of the 17th annual Super Bowl Auction, which featured a variety of items from the celebrated career of the Hall of Fame quarterback, all consigned by the Unitas family. Despite being sidelined with an injury during the second quarter of the game against the Dallas Cowboys, the memorabilia associated with Unitas attracted high bids from collectors.

Remarkably, the auction price of Unitas' ring from the Super Bowl V victory significantly exceeded the amount fetched by his ring from the 1958 NFL championship, a pivotal game that enhanced professional football's popularity in the United States. In addition to the Super Bowl ring, other notable sales included Unitas' Hall of Fame ring, which sold for $38,175, and his 1967 NFL MVP award, garnering $64,625. A pair of Unitas' iconic high-top cleats also sold, fetching $27,025.

Equally notable in the auction was a 2014 game-worn Tom Brady jersey, which matched the Unitas Super Bowl ring's top sale price at $258,500. This jersey, worn during a season that saw Brady win his fourth Super Bowl title, was authenticated and photomatched to the season's opening game against the Dolphins by MeiGray.

The auction also featured memorabilia from other NFL greats, including Hall of Fame offensive lineman Anthony Munoz. Items such as a game-worn 1980s jersey and the uniform from Munoz's last NFL game sold for $16,450 and $11,456, respectively.

Additional highlights from the auction included a Brock Purdy game-worn jersey from 2023, which sold for $30,550, and a 2022 Lamar Jackson game-worn jersey, fetching $22,325. Other memorabilia sold were a Ronnie Lott game-worn helmet for $19,975, a Dan Marino game-worn jersey for $17,625, and a game-used football from Super Bowl XXXVIII, selling for $14,100.

This auction not only celebrated the legacy of Johnny Unitas but also offered fans and collectors a chance to own significant pieces of football history, underscoring the enduring appeal and value of NFL memorabilia.