Legendary Packers Super Bowl Rings Up for Auction—But They Were Thought to Be Lost Forever!

In an emotional and heart-wrenching decision, Kathryn Bratkowski, daughter of Green Bay Packers Hall of Fame quarterback Zeke Bratkowski, recently placed several of her father’s prized mementos up for auction, including two of the most coveted pieces in NFL history—his Super Bowl I and II rings. This poignant moment came after years of holding onto these relics, with both Kathryn and her brother, former NFL assistant coach Bob Bratkowski, finding it time to part with them in order to support their family and charitable causes.

Along with these iconic rings, the auction will also feature Zeke Bratkowski’s 1965 NFL Championship ring, his Packers Hall of Fame ring from 1989, and several personal items, including his 1954 University of Georgia class ring and a 2006 Georgia Circle of Honor ring. Although it was a tough decision to let go of these cherished items, Bob Bratkowski expressed his support for his sister, remarking, “What good are they going to be doing anybody if they are sitting in my safe?” The auction proceeds will aid Kathryn’s retirement and contribute to one of her father’s charitable endeavors.

The Bratkowski family, who have endured their share of heartbreak, nearly lost these Super Bowl rings forever. In 2017, Bob’s home in Santa Rosa Beach, Florida, was tragically destroyed in a forest fire. Amidst the ashes, he feared that his father’s Super Bowl rings had been lost as well. However, when Bob later went to close out a safety deposit box, to his surprise, the rings were safely preserved. “I thought, ‘Oh, my goodness, we lost those,’” Bob recalled. “I was thrilled that they didn’t burn in the fire. It was pretty shocking.”

The Super Bowl rings, which are now part of Heritage Auctions’ Winter Platinum Night Sports Auction, are already garnering significant attention. As of the latest bid, the Super Bowl I ring has surpassed $91,000, and the Super Bowl II ring is close behind at $88,450, with both continuing to climb. These original, untampered rings are especially rare, as many have been altered over the years with new diamonds or even replacements after previous damage. To find original Super Bowl I and II rings in such excellent condition is an extraordinary occurrence.

Heritage Auctions’ consignment director, Chris Nerat, who has dealt with many Packers collectibles over the years, expressed his admiration for the Bratkowski rings. “They are some of the best I’ve ever seen,” he said. “I believe this is the first time that all original championship rings from the Packers’ 1965, 1966, and 1967 teams have ever been offered in one auction. We’ve offered a lot in my 15 years at Heritage from those teams, but we have never offered the three in one, and I don’t think any auction house has.”

While Zeke Bratkowski may not have the same legendary status as teammates like Bart Starr, he holds an important place in Packers history. As a backup quarterback during the team’s dominance in the 1960s, Bratkowski stepped up in a pivotal moment during the 1965 NFL playoffs when Starr was injured. In a game against the Baltimore Colts, Bratkowski threw for 248 yards, leading the Packers to a 13-10 overtime victory and securing their place in NFL lore.

Growing up with an NFL legend as a father, Bob and Kathryn shared a childhood closely intertwined with the Starr family. They spent countless hours together, celebrating holidays, sharing meals, and experiencing the highs and lows of the NFL world. For Bob, memories of those times are as important as the tangible items. He recalled how the families would regularly get together for fish fries and pizza nights, and how he and his brother Stephen would attend legendary games like the Ice Bowl in 1967. Even as they faced personal tragedies, such as the untimely deaths of both Bret Starr and Stephen Bratkowski, the bond between the Bratkowski and Starr families remained unbreakable.

While the auction represents a significant moment for the Bratkowski family, both Kathryn and Bob know that the memories of their father and his close-knit friendship with Bart Starr are far more valuable than the rings themselves. “Let somebody else enjoy them, if they are a collector,” Kathryn said. “I know my dad went to a lot of card signings over the years, and I very often would meet him there. It was pretty special.”

Indeed, Zeke Bratkowski’s legacy—defined by his contributions to the Green Bay Packers, his invaluable friendship with Starr, and the indelible memories shared with his family—remains unbroken. As the auction progresses, these artifacts of NFL history will find new homes, but the memories and the deep connection to the Packers’ golden era will live on in the hearts of those who knew and loved Zeke.