Sports memorabilia is big business. A recent boom in nostalgia has sent some iconic pieces of football history soaring in value. Many are commanding high sums of money on the second-hand market, with prices increasing daily. Below, we discuss some of the most expensive items of memorabilia in football history.
Tom Brady’s Jersey
The highest price ever paid for a football shirt was an eye-watering $480,000. It was sold in January 2022 and was Tom Brady’s used Tampa Bay Buccaneers jersey. Not long before, a similar item worn by him had shattered records. This was from a game in October and brought in $320,000 at a charity auction.
For those not in the know, Tom Brady is a quarterback for the aforementioned team. His first 20 seasons in the NFL were played for the New England Patriots, where he built up a stellar reputation and became widely regarded as one of the greatest quarterbacks of all time. He holds almost every record imaginable, from the most touchdown passes to the most career passing yards. The combination of such an iconic player, along with a memorabilia market that is booming, resulted in a terrific price.
The NFL is now becoming even more popular on the international stage, which means the prices of these shirts are only going to go up. Games are regularly held in places as far afield as London, with three taking place last October alone. Another huge market is Canada, where games were previously held in Ontario. Televised on the main networks such as TS, CTV, and CTV 2, the NFL has committed to hosting more games there.
While none are currently scheduled, the growth of NFL sportsbooks in Canada is a good indication of the sport’s popularity. They offer a wide range of bets and odds, showing how popular the game is there. Many of the listed sportsbooks are providing up to $350 bonuses in some cases, showing the competition between the operators and how keen the providers are to get new NFL fans to wager with them.
As the NFL gets more popular, it’s likely that memorabilia like Brady’s jersey will only increase in value even more.
1941 Heisman Trophy
The Heisman Memorial Trophy holds a special place in the history of football. It gets awarded to the most outstanding player in college football once a year. Not only do winners have terrific athletic ability, but they also must display a high level of good character, which is what makes this award so special.
The 1941 award went to Bruce Smith, a running back from the University of Minnesota. At this difficult point in US history, Smith discussed in his acceptance speech how the athletic resolve displayed in sports was indicative of a nation that would triumph over adversity.
There are also a few other factors that make this trophy a special one. At the time it was awarded, only six others had ever been given out, making it an early example. Added to this is the fact that only five have ever been sold at auction, making it extremely rare. Smith’s family sold it for $395,000 to pay for his wife’s medical expenses.
Patrick Mahomes Rookie Card
Sportscards are a truly American pursuit, which taps into a vein of nostalgia seldom found elsewhere. The most expensive sports card of all time comes from baseball, a 1952 card depicting Mickey Mantle. In a 2022 auction, it sold for an astonishing $12.6 million.
When it comes to football, several desirable cards are doing the rounds. The most expensive to date has been the autographed Patrick Mahomes rookie card. What makes it so special is that as rookies, no one knows the fate of these players. Cards of players that do become important accrue value quickly.
Patrick Mahomes is one player who did just that. A quarterback for the Kansas City Chiefs, he only started one game in his rookie season when the card debuted. Soon after he had made 76 touchdowns in just two seasons, amassing a host of awards including the most valuable player. The card sold for $4.3 million in a 2022 auction.
Daniel “Rudy” Ruettiger Notre Dame Game Clothing
By no means is this the most expensive item of football-related memorabilia, but it is one of the most interesting. Daniel “Rudy” Ruettiger is now a motivational speaker and author. His story is one of perseverance.
He was accepted for Notre Dame on his fourth application after careers in the navy and a job working at a power plant. At 5ft 6 inches, Ruettiger was not someone you would expect to be on the football team. However, walk-on players were encouraged, with some even going onto NFL contracts later. Eventually, he managed to earn himself a place on the scout team.
In his last opportunity to play for Notre Dame, he was called up and put in a position as a defensive end. After some fantastic play, he was carried off the field by his teammates after the game. His story was turned into a book and then a movie, named Rudy. While some elements were changed, the general movie stayed true to real-life events. His gear worn for the only outing was sold at the Superbowl Weekend in 2017. It raised a sum of $241,500.
