The 1941 Heisman Trophy awarded to University of Minnesota halfback Bruce Smith and the collections of three Pro Football Hall of Fame members are among the highlights in the 12th annual Super Bowl Auction.
The newly-launched event has already kicked off with online bidding and concludes with a live element on February 1, the day before Super Bowl LIV in Miami. It’s the tenth straight year Hunt auctions has partnered with NFL Auction for the event, which will include over 600 items.
The Smith Heisman is one of only a scant few to have ever been offered to the collecting public and carries with it the history of having been presented just two days after the attack on Pearl Harbor. It’s the oldest Heisman ever sold at auction and is returning to the auction block nearly 15 years after it was last sold at auction for just over $395,000.
Items collected by former NFL greats Raymond Berry, Norm Van Brocklin, and Chuck Bednarik will all be represented with a varied selection of pieces from their long careers.
A 29th round draft pick, Berry ascended to become one of the most accomplished receivers in the history of the NFL. He combined with Colts’ quarterback Johnny Unitas to form the most prolific QB/WR combination of his era and finished his career as the all-time leader in receiving yards and receptions. A portion of the auction proceeds from the Berry Collection will benefit the World Outreach Church in Mufreesboro, TN.
“We are elated to have the participation of Raymond Berry in this year’s Super Bowl LIV live auction event,” said David Hunt, President, Hunt Auctions. “Mr. Berry is the epitome of excellence and devotion to his craft within the history of the NFL. He is equally honored with the manner in which he carried himself off the field.”
“I have been very blessed to be involved in professional football as a player and coach, and to do what I loved for nearly 40 years. The support of the Baltimore Colts and NFL fans throughout my career, and since I retired, has been indescribable. Without the fans, I didn’t have a job,” remarked Berry. “In that spirit, I am excited to share some items that relate to the memories of my career in the NFL with those people who helped make my experience so special. It is an additional blessing that a part of the proceeds will benefit several fine charitable organizations.”
Highlights from the Berry Collection:
– 1958 Baltimore Colts “Greatest Game Ever Played” NFL championship ring (Est.$25,000-$50,000)
– Baltimore Colts professional model helmet c.1960s (Est. $5,000-$10,000)
– Baltimore Colts professional model jersey c.1950-60s (Est. $10,000-$20,000)
– 1959 Baltimore Colts World Championship presentational Rolex watch (Est. $5,000-$7,500)
Items from the personal collections of Pro Football Hall of Fame members Norm Van Brocklin and Chuck Bednarik will also be featured within the Super Bowl LIV live auction event. Van Brocklin was an All-American quarterback at the University of Oregon and went on to play for the Los Angeles Rams and Philadelphia Eagles winning a title with each team. Known as a prolific passer, Van Brocklin is widely regarded as having largely contributed to re-shaping the quarterback position during the era in which he played. His record of 554 passing yards during a game in 1951 still stands to date even with the new era of pass heavy offenses seen in the NFL today.
Bednarik was a fierce defensive player earning the nickname of “Concrete Charlie” and was one of most feared tacklers in the history of the game. Bednarik played his entire career (1949-62) with the Philadelphia Eagles winning two NFL Championships in 1949 and 1960. He was also credited as being the last full-time two-way player (offense and defense) in the history of the NFL.
Highlight Items from the Van Brocklin and Bednarik Collections:
-1957 Norm Van Brocklin Los Angeles Rams playing contract (Est. $1,500-$3,000)
-1960 Norm Van Brocklin Offensive Player of the Year Award (Est. $750-$1,500)
-Chuck Bednarik Pro Football Hall of Fame ring (Est. $7,500-$15,000)
-Chuck Bednarik vintage Rolex wristwatch (Est. $2,000-$4,000)
Dozens of items from current players are also be featured in the catalog, with proceeds going to NFL and team charities and non-profit organizations.
NFL Auction Highlights:
-2017 Jared Goff Los Angeles Rams game used jersey (Est. $3,000-$5,000)
-October 2019 Dak Prescott game worn Dallas Cowboys jersey (Est. $10,000-$15,000)
-2017 Khalil Mack Oakland Raiders game used jersey (Est. $4,000-$6,000)
-Super Bowl MVP’s Autographed Commemorative helmet (Est. $10,000-$15,000)
-Super Bowl LII Second Half Kickoff game used football (Est. $3,000-$5,000)
-2019 Von Miller Denver Broncos game used jersey (Est. $7,500-$10,000)
-2019 Travis Kelce Kansas City Chiefs game used jersey (Est. $2,000-$4,000)
-2019 Baker Mayfield Cleveland Browns game used jersey (Est. $3,000-$5,000)
Numerous additional football memorabilia items dating from the 1900s to present will be offered within the live auction to include several significant private collections. Among them:
-1925-26 Pottstown Maroons NFL Championship sweater (Est. $10,000-$20,000)
-Scarce 1933-34 Chicago Bears professional model uniform (Est. $10,000-$20,000)
-1953 Baltimore Colts NFL Certificate of Membership (Est. $40,000-$60,000)
-1957 Jim Brown Rookie of the Year trophy (Est. $30,000-$50,000)
-Bart Starr Green Bay Packers professional model jersey c.1964-67 (MEARS A7) (Est. $40,000-$60,000)
-Roger Staubach Dallas Cowboys professional model jersey c.1974-78 (MEARS A10) m(Est. $15,000-$25,000)
-1995 Jerry Rice Super Bowl XXIX San Francisco 49ers professional model helmet (Est. $20,000-$30,000)
-2015 Aaron Rodgers Green Bay Packers professional model jersey (NFL Auction: PSA/DNA) (Est. $20,000-$30,000)
-1987 Phil Simms Super Bowl XXI New York Giants game jersey (Mei Gray) (Photo Match) (Est. $20,000-$40,000)
-1998 Dan Marino Miami Dolphins professional model jersey (Marino letter) (Est. $15,000-$25,000)
-Dan Marino Miami Dolphins professional model helmet c. 1997-98 (Marino letter) (Est. $10,000-$20,000)
-1991 Washington Redskins Super Bowl XXVI ring (Est. $15,000-$25,000)
Live auction items will be available for preview at the NFL Experience to be held at the Miami Beach Convention Center from Saturday January 25 through Saturday February 1. Tickets, hours, or more information regarding NFL Experience can be found here.
Hunt Auctions experts will be conducting complimentary appraisals for vintage sports memorabilia during the NFL Experience show hours.
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