Tony Dorsett and Gale Sayers Personal Collections Anchor 8th Annual Hunt Auctions and NFL Auction Super Bowl 50 Live Auction Event in San Francisco
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Tony Dorsett and Gale Sayers Personal Collections Anchor 8th Annual Hunt Auctions and NFL Auction Super Bowl 50 Live Auction Event in San Francisco
Two NFL Hall of Famers’ memorabilia will be joined by items from current and former NFL superstars
PHILADELPHIA, PA (January 22, 2016) –Hunt Auctions and NFL Auction will once again join together at Super Bowl 50 to host a Super Bowl Live Auction event Feb. 5-6 for the eighth consecutive year in San Francisco.
A superb grouping of memorabilia from NFL Football Hall of Famers Tony Dorsett’s and Gale Sayers’ College and NFL careers will serve as the flagship collections for the Super Bowl 50 Live Auction with portions of proceeds benefiting multiple charities. The live auction runs over two days where fans will have the ability to peruse both collections along with close to 500 additional football pieces available.
“We are honored to continue our relationship with NFL Auction with our annual Super Bowl Live Auction event,” said David Hunt, President Hunt Auctions. “This venue is sure to be memorable as personal items from two Hall of Famers are up for auction at what is the biggest stage in football history. We applaud the charitable work that NFL Auction conducts and are humbled to be a small part of that work.”
Chicago’s beloved Sayers, also known as “The Kansas Comet,” was a running back in the NFL for seven seasons during the 1960s and early 1970s. He played college football for the University of Kansas, and was twice recognized as an All-American. He was a first-round pick in the 1965 NFL Draft, and played his entire NFL career for the Chicago Bears.
Sayers is a member of both the Pro Football Hall of Fame and the College Football Hall of Fame. His friendship with fellow Chicago Bear Brian Piccolo was the basis for the 1971 movie “Brian’s Song.”
Sayers Collection Highlights:
- 1966 Gale Sayers NFL Rushing Championship trophy (Est. $25,000-$50,000)
- 1970 Byron ‘Whizzer” White NFL Man of the Year Award (Est. $15,000-$25,000)
- 1965 Gale Sayers College All-Stars sweater (Est. $5,000-$7,500)
- 1966 Gale Sayers Chicago Bears single game rushing record ball (Est. $3,000-$5,000)
- NFL 75th Anniversary All-Time Team Trophy: Running Back (Est. $10,000- $20,000)
- Gale Sayers original painting by William Barringer (Est. $3,000-$5,000)
“I could not envision a more appropriate way in which to share some of my cherished memorabilia then to be included within an auction at the 50th Anniversary of the Super Bowl,”said Sayers. “It is my sincere hope that Bears fans and football fans across the country enjoy these items as much as I did. I am happy that their sale will support the Gale Sayers Foundation in its goals.”
A portion of all proceeds from the Sayers Collection items will benefit the Gale Sayers Foundation. The mission of the Foundation is dedicated to supporting deserved schools in Chicago who are utilizing innovative and technology-based learning methods to better prepare students for college and/or careers.
“Gale Sayers serves as a model of excellence for both the way he played the game and for the exemplary integrity with which he lived his life. We are honored to be involved with this historic offering,” Hunt said.
Hall of Famer Tony Dorsett first exploded into the national spotlight while at the University of Pittsburgh, where he won the Heisman Trophy. He was then a first round draft choice of the Cowboys in 1977, becoming the NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year. Dorsett is arguably one of the top running backs in NFL history. His status as a member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame and the College Football Hall of Fame further solidify his place in NFL history.
Dorsett’s collection includes dozens of items from his illustrious football career including 1977 UPI Rookie of the Year trophy, NFC Pro Bowl game worn jersey, Presentational game balls, All-American presentational award, and many others.
“As we celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Super Bowl I look forward to sharing some of my treasured memorabilia with many of my fans,” Dorsett said.
Dorsett Collection Highlights:
- 1977 Tony Dorsett UPI “NFC Rookie of the Year” Award (Est. $20,000-$40,000)
- Collection of Tony Dorsett’s Dallas Cowboys “Game Footballs” (Est. $10,000-$30,000)
- Tony Dorsett NFC Pro Bowl game worn jersey c. 1980-83 (Est. $2,000-$4,000)
- 1975 Tony Dorsett Kodak All-American presentational certificate (Est. $2000- $4000)
“We are absolutely thrilled to be working with Tony Dorsett on the offering of his personal collection at this year’s Super Bowl 50 Live Auction,” said Hunt. “Tony is revered as one of the greatest players in NFL history so it is only fitting to present his items at football’s greatest event to benefit several worthy charitable causes.”
A portion of the proceeds from the Dorsett Collection will go to Texas based Minnie’s Food Pantry, a 501(c) 3 non-profit organization that provides food assistance to children and families in need in the Collin County, Texas community.
NFL Auction is teaming up with Hunt Auctions for the 8th consecutive year, and in celebration of Super Bowl 50 to auction hundreds of NFL items from nearly every team within the league to include game-used jerseys, cleats, footballs, and recent Super Bowl memorabilia. All items are authentic, and come straight from the playing fields of the nation’s NFL stadiums. All proceeds from these items benefit the NFL’s charities including NFL Play 60, NFL Foundation, Breast Cancer Awareness and Salute to Service Campaigns .
NFL Auction Highlights:
- 2015 Aaron Rodgers Green Bay Packers game worn jersey (Est. $10,000-$20,000)
- 2015 Peyton Manning Denver Broncos game worn jersey (Est. $10,000-$20,000)
- 2015 J.J. Watt Houston Texans game worn jersey (Est. $10,000-$15,000)
- 2015 Drew Brees New Orleans Saints game worn jersey (Est. $5,000-$10,000)
- Super Bowl XLIX Kickoff Football and Flip Coin (Est. $3,000-$5,000)
Other Auction Highlights:
- Johnny Unitas Baltimore Colts professional model football helmet (Est. $40,000-$60,000)
- 2007 New York Giants Super Bowl XLII pendant by Tiffany & Co. (Est. $5,000-$7,500)
- 1994 Joe Montana Kansas City Chiefs game worn jersey (Est. $5,000-$10,000)
- 1993 Jerry Rice San Francisco 49ers game worn jersey (Est. $7,500-$10,000)
- Paul “Bear” Bryant personal sport coat and suit pants c.1972 (Est. $3,000-$5,000)
These above mentioned collections will be joined by numerous private consignment pieces from across the country with more than 750 total items available for view during the Exhibition Preview running from Saturday Jan. 30 through Saturday Feb. 6. Visitors to San Francisco are also encouraged to bring their national sports memorabilia to the Hunt Auctions display for complimentary expert appraisal at the Moscone Center during that time period. The live auction will take place at NFL Experience Driven by Hyundai Friday, Feb. 5 at 5 p.m. PT, and Saturday, Feb. 6 at 12 p.m. PT. Bids can be made in person, via phone, or live online during the sale itself. For more information visit www.HuntAuctions.com.
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ABOUT HUNT AUCTIONS
Exton, Pennsylvania based Hunt Auctions has been a leader in the sports memorabilia auction industry for 23 years. Numerous former players and their families have trusted their collections with Hunt Auctions including Ted Williams (HOF), Joe DiMaggio (HOF), Whitey Ford (HOF), Curt Flood, Leo Durocher (HOF), Robin Roberts (HOF), Earl Weaver (HOF), Commissioner Bowie Kuhn (HOF), Warren Spahn (HOF), Johnny Bench (HOF), Johnny Unitas (HOF), Clem Labine, Mickey Vernon, Jake Pitler, Thurman Munson, Roy Campanella (HOF), Harmon Killebrew (HOF), Bill Mazeroski (HOF), Kent Tekulve, Steve Blass, Johnny Pesky, Charles “Kid” Nichols (HOF), Jim Palmer (HOF), Bucky Walters, Walter Johnson (HOF), Bill McKechnie (HOF), Willie Mosconi, Randall Cunningham, Joe Frazier and Norm Van Brocklin (HOF). Hunt Auctions is also the Official Auction Company of Louisville Slugger Museum & Factory and the Official Auctioneer of the T-Mobile All-Star FanFest®. Hunt Auctions has worked with numerous institutions to include: The National Football League, Philadelphia Phillies®, Pittsburgh Pirates®, Baltimore Orioles®, Boston Red Sox®, Negro Leagues Baseball Museum, National Baseball Hall of Fame, Chicago Bulls, National Italian American Sports Hall of Fame and Baseball Assistance Team.
ABOUT NFL AUCTION
NFL Auction brings fans closer to the game with, one-of-a-kind memorabilia straight from the playing field. NFL Auction is the official auction site of the National Football League and the only place to bid on guaranteed and authentic, signed, game-used items and unique NFL experiences. NFL Auction donates 100% of its proceeds to support NFL and team charities and has generated more than $10 million since 2001. For more information, please visit www.nfl.com/auction.
ABOUT NFL PLAYERS
Formed in 1994, NFL PLAYERS is the licensing and marketing subsidiary of the NFL Players Association. Representing more than 1,800 active and many memorable retired NFL players, NFL PLAYERS “takes the helmets off” the players and markets them as personalities as well as professional athletes. Through an exclusive sponsorship agreement between the organization and the NFL, players are integrated into NFL sponsor activation programs. In addition, under an exclusive agreement between NFL PLAYERS and the NFL, NFLPLAYERS.COM, the company’s official website, is part of the NFL Internet Network. Each year, NFL PLAYERS negotiates and facilitates extensive player marketing opportunities for players. NFL PLAYERS activities include retail licensing, corporate sponsorships and promotions, special events, radio and television projects, publishing and Internet. For more information, please visit NFLPLAYERS.COM.