The Super Bowl LVIII is set to take place on Sunday in Las Vegas where the San Francisco 49ers and the Kansas City Chiefs will face off in the most-watched sporting event in the U.S. While many will turn on the TV to cheer for their favorite team, watch creative Super Bowl ads or wait for a glimpse of Taylor Swift in the private suite, footwear enthusiasts will also be paying attention to the shoe game on the field.
Patrick Mahomes, the Chiefs quarterback, and Brock Purdy, from the 49ers, will likely wear Adidas cleats on the big day — Mahomes has a long partnership with the footwear brand and was even featured in a celebration ad at the Las Vegas Sphere sponsored by Adidas this week.
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The NFL players’ footwear choices have always caught the audience’s attention, especially in the past couple of years. In 2022, Baltimore Ravens receiver Odell Beckham Jr. made headlines for wearing cleats covered in 1,494 diamonds. The shoes, customized by The Shoe Surgeon, were valued at a whopping $200,000, making the cleats the most expensive in NFL history.
Even when the players wear regular shoes, they can gain value after the game with fans joining auctions to buy the worn footwear. Investing in expensive cleats worn by famous NFL players can represent a tangible connection to the world of professional football. Owning footwear worn by a revered athlete can foster a sense of authenticity and proximity to the game.
Here, FN takes a closer look at some of the most expensive cleats in NFL history.
Dave Robinson’s Kangaroo Skin Cleats Worn at the Super Bowl II (1968) — $15,000
Green Bay Packers Dave Robinson wore these cleats made of kangaroo skin in the second Super Bowl ever, where he and his team defeated the Oakland Raiders by a score of 33-14. According to the auction house Heritage, Robinson saved the shoes to wear on his next Super Bowl, which never happened. He sold the cleats in August 2022 for $15,000.
Christian McCaffrey’s Signed Game Worn Custom Cleats Supporting The Logan Project — 33,050.00
49ers’ running back Christian McCaffrey joined NFL’s My Cause My Cleats — a project where players donate their worn cleats to raise money for charity — this year. His shoes are currently on sale at nflauction.nfl.com with the highest bid at $33,050.00. The money will be donated to his Foundation’s programs 23 and Troops and The Logan Project.
Johnny Unitas’ Game-Worn Cleats From 1972 — $71,700.00
Baltimore Colts’ Johnny Unitas sold the cleats worn on his last game with his team in 1972 for $71,700.00. After leading Baltimore to three NFL titles and one Super Bowl championship, Unitas said goodbye to his team and gifted the shoes to his friend and jeweler Larry Beck. In 2002, after Unitas’ death, the cleats were placed on the sidelines during the game between the Baltimore Ravens and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
Tom Brady’s Game-Worn Cleats From 2007 — $88,000
Tom Brady wore these cleats during a playoff between the New England Patriots and the San Diego Chargers in 2007. During the game, Brady passed for 280 yards with 2 touchdowns. The Patriots defeated the Chargers by 24-21 and Brady’s shoes were sold by Sotheby’s for $88,000 in 2023.
Odell Beckham’s Diamond Cleats Worn at the Super Bowl LVI (2022) — $200,000
Customized by The Shoe Surgeon, Beckham’s Super Bowl 2022 cleats were crafted from royal blue and yellow python leather and feature 150 grams of 14-carat yellow gold and a total of 1,494 diamonds. His team, the Los Angeles Rams, beat the Cincinnati Bengals by 23-20 during the game.
