Items from the pro and college football careers of the late Ken Stabler—even the contents of his desk, his old sunglasses and a collection of old cassettes with his favorite artists are now on the auction block.
The former University of Alabama and 
Oakland Raider quarterback will be posthumously inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame next month. Stabler threw for 27,938 yards during a 15-year NFL career that included a victory in Super Bowl XI. He died in July of 2015 of complications from colon cancer. His family has consigned the memorabilia to Pristine Auction for a sale that opened this week.
Among the more expensive items up for bid are Stabler’s Hickok belt, an award presented to the nation’s top pro athlete from 1950-76. Stabler was the last athlete to win the award before it was retired.
The belt has an 84 ounce gold belt buckle, adorned with 5.5 carats of diamond decorations. In addition the belt buckles contains a 3 carat diamond, a 3 carat sapphire and a 3 carat ruby. The minimum bid is $20,000. According to the auction house, it’s the first complete Hickok belt made available for public sale.
Also included in the collection are a large number of Stabler’s trophies, including one for winning NFL MVP in 1974, accolades from his time as quarterback at University of Alabama and a collection of signed memorabilia from his NFL 
teammates and opponents. A 1969 Raiders team-signed football with 51 autographs dating to his rookie year, is among the more impressive pieces.
Items personalized to Stabler by former athletes, musicians, politicians and others are also a part of the collection, which includes a total of 458 items.
Pristine Auction says it worked with Stabler prior to his passing and has continued to work with his family. The auction continues through August 14.
Key pieces from the collection, including the iconic Hickok Belt Award, will be on display during the 2016 National Sports Collectors Convention at booth 2317/2321.
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