Latest news with #HuntAuctions
Forbes
2 days ago
- Sport
- Forbes
Bill Walton's Auction Is A Long, Strange Trip Through His Life
Former basketball player and sportscaster Bill Walton, who passed away last year, gestures after ... More throwing the first pitch at a San Diego Padres game in 2019. The Walton family is auctioning his possessions and donating a portion of the funds to the UC San Diego Health Center. (AP Photo/Orlando Ramirez, File) The auction of Bill Walton's personal memorabilia is nearing its end and in the words of the basketball great, if you have a bid, throw it down. Artifacts from Walton's days as one of the game's all-time best players, mementos from his road to greatness and, of course, treats from his long, strange trip following the Grateful Dead, are among the nearly 300 items being presented by Hunt Auctions. Walton, who won two titles in the NBA and at UCLA, passed away last year after a battle with cancer. Bill Walton (5) of the Boston Celtics goes up to block the shot of Paul Pressey (25) of the ... More Milwaukee Bucks during an 1986 game. Walton won the NBA title that season with the Celtics. (Photo by Focus) "On behalf of the entire Walton family, I would like to express our deepest gratitude to Hunt Auctions for its meticulous care in organizing Bill's possessions,'' said Lori Walton, his widow. The treasure drove of Walton items is just that. Everything from the first rim he aimed for at his La Mesa, Calif., home to his Helix High School letterman's jacket. Many items from Bill Walton's run to the NBA title with the Portland Trail Blazers, are available ... More through his auction of personal items. From his UCLA stint as the leader of the Walton Gang, there are his NCAA champion rings, watches, awards, game-worn jerseys and shoes. Walton also won NBA championships with the Portland Trail Blazers and the Boston Celtics and both of those title runs are well-represented. Among the momentos are his uniforms, signed basketballs and even the Wallace Park shirt Walton made famous when wearing it during the Trail Blazers' 1977 championship parade. Walton, a prolific reader and letter-writer, has signed replies and notes from the likes of John Wooden, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Bob Cousy and Rick Barry. Music was among the things Walton embraced with the same zest as he did sports and literture. A son of a trumpet player, Walton's love of the Grateful Dead, and others, is found with his various souvenirs. Bill Walton attends the Grateful Dead concert at California State University at Dominguez Hills in ... More 1990 in Carson, Calif. (Photo by) Bids are open on the iconic Father Time outfits he wore at the Grateful Dead's New Year Eve's shows, his collection of tie-dyed T-shirts, a framed collage collection of backstage passes, jackets, signed photos, posters and two custom-made, Grateful Dead-theme bikes. Other groups that Walton obtained autographed items from include Fleetwood Mac, Chicago and Pearl Jam. Among the auction's benefactors is the University of California San Diego Health Center. It was there that Walton had an operation that allowed him to regain his mobility. 'In 2008, Bill underwent life-saving back surgery at UC San Diego Health, and he credits his surgeon, Dr. Steven Garfin, for his remarkable recovery,'' Lori Walton said. "In honor of Dr. Garfin, we are donating a portion of the auction proceeds to UC San Diego Health.'' Bids remain open through Thursday at 'The items in the auction held immense sentimental value for Bill,'' Lori Walton said. 'We are hopeful that they find loving homes where they will be cherished just as much as Bill did.
CBS News
12-02-2025
- Sport
- CBS News
Former New England Patriots player sells Super Bowl ring from historic comeback win for $88,125
BOSTON – Former New England Patriots player Martellus Bennett's Super Bowl ring from the team's historic 28-3 comeback win over the Atlanta Falcons netted $88,125 at auction. Bennett's Super Bowl ring was sold through Hunt Auctions and was expected to bring in between $50,000 to $100,000 when the listing went live. Martellus Bennett sells Super Bowl ring Hunt Auctions described the ring as "coveted as one of the most desirable of all modern era Super Bowl examples with only a scant few offered at auction." Greatest Comeback. Incredible 2016 @Patriots Martellus Bennett Super Bowl ring from the greatest comeback in NFL history. The ring is coveted as one of the most desirable of all modern era Super Bowl examples with only a scant few offered at auction leading to a selling price of… — Hunt Auctions (@HuntAuctions) February 8, 2025 The Jostens ring features 133 round diamonds, five marquis and pave-set diamonds, and corundum sapphire and ruby. Bennett's name and number, five Lombardi trophies, and the score from the greatest comeback in Super Bowl history are among the items crafted onto the ring. Who is Martellus Bennett? Bennett spent two stints in New England catching passes from Tom Brady. He was a key part of the team's 2016 season that culminated with the stunning victory over the Falcons. With Rob Gronkowski sidelined due to injury, Bennett caught 55 passes for 701 yards and seven touchdowns. During the Super Bowl, Bennett drew a pass interference penalty at the goal line, setting up James White's game-winning touchdown in overtime to cap the comeback. He left the Patriots in free agency following the season for Green Bay, but departed the Packers and returned to Foxboro. Bennett played just two games that season before suffering a season-ending injury. He retired after the season. Why did Martellus Bennett sell his Super Bowl ring? Bennett had been pondering selling his Super Bowl ring since 2019. At the time, he tweeted that he wouldn't mind selling it. "Not broke at all. Just doesn't do anything for me. I don't wear it don't plan on wearing it. I'd rather sell it than just have it in a box with the key to the city of Dallas. Lol," Bennett said on X, the social media platform previously known as Twitter, in 2019. When a fan responded that it is "just jewelry," Bennett agreed. "Exactly. The ring was the least exciting part for me. Although the ring party thingy was a blast. Lol. I danced all night it was great," Bennett posted.
Yahoo
09-02-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Martellus Bennett's Super Bowl LI ring goes for more than $88,000 at auction
Eight years ago, the Patriots pulled off an all-time comeback in Super Bowl LI, beating the Falcons in overtime after trailing 28-3 in the second half. Via Darren Rovell, the first ring given to a player in that game has sold at auction. Tight end Martellus Bennett's ring went for $88,125 through Hunt Auctions. Bennett had five catches for 62 yards in the 34-28 win. It's surprising it didn't go for more. Of any Patriots' Super Bowl ring to own, that would be the one. It gave quarterback Tom Brady his fifth career win, breaking the record he'd shared with Joe Montana and Terry Bradshaw. Tomorrow night, Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes can match Montana and Bradshaw — and position himself only three behind Brady. Before turning 30.
NBC Sports
08-02-2025
- Sport
- NBC Sports
Martellus Bennett's Super Bowl LI ring goes for more than $88,000 at auction
Eight years ago, the Patriots pulled off an all-time comeback in Super Bowl LI, beating the Falcons in overtime after trailing 28-3 in the second half. Via Darren Rovell, the first ring given to a player in that game has sold at auction. Tight end Martellus Bennett's ring went for $88,125 through Hunt Auctions. Bennett had five catches for 62 yards in the 34-28 win. It's surprising it didn't go for more. Of any Patriots' Super Bowl ring to own, that would be the one. It gave quarterback Tom Brady his fifth career win, breaking the record he'd shared with Joe Montana and Terry Bradshaw. Tomorrow night, Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes can match Montana and Bradshaw — and position himself only three behind Brady. Before turning 30.
