Super Bowl apparel getting most interest in Rocky Bleier memorabilia up for auction

Since putting nearly 70 of his prized possessions up for auction in early November, former Pittsburgh Steelers running back Rocky Bleier has been curious to see how much the items would fetch.

He won’t have to wait much longer.

The “Rocky Bleier Collection,” which is part of Leland auction house’s 2019 fall classic edition of memorabilia, closes bidding at 10 p.m. Friday.

Bleier is donating part of his proceeds to Guardian Angels Medical Service Dogs, a charitable organization that places service canines with veterans.

“Everybody kind of plays the waiting game,” Bleier said. “Those collectors out there set the bidding, and it will go up in the last week. Everybody kind of waits. In the meantime, I’m trying to get the word out that it’s there.”

Some items worn by Bleier during the Steelers’ Super Bowl championship years in the late 1970s have emerged as the most popular items of the lot.

A game-worn jersey from Super Bowl XIV signed by Bleier has a high bid of $11,390 with about two days left in auctioning. The helmet worn by Bleier in Super Bowl XIII is up to $7,780. Another game-worn helmet has increased to $3,897.

Among other items that have gotten multiple bids: Bleier’s class ring and watch from Notre Dame ($1,210), his 1974 Byron “Whizzer” White Award ($1,210) and his Super Bowl XIV playbook ($712). Various player-of-the-game balls autographed by Bleier have bids in the $500-$700 range.

“I think the game balls may be important from a collector’s point of view,” Bleier said. “The last game ball I ever received is one of those up for auction.”

Items in the “Rocky Bleier Collection” can be viewed by visiting lelands.com.

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