In a stunning display of fan devotion, Selling Sunset star Jason Oppenheim has secured a legendary piece of American football history, paying a remarkable $470,000 for Washington legend John Riggins' 1983 Super Bowl-winning jersey. The high-profile purchase occurred at the 18th Super Bowl Live Auction conducted by Hunt Auctions this past Saturday.
A Lifelong Dream Realised
Oppenheim, whose luxury real estate brokerage, the Oppenheim Group, features on the hit Netflix series, grew up idolising Riggins as a young Washington Redskins fan. "I would have gone higher," he told ESPN regarding the jersey bid. "A decent amount higher." His determination didn't stop there; he also acquired Riggins' Super Bowl ring from the same game for an additional $105,750.
The Iconic Super Bowl XVII Moment
The jersey and ring originate from Washington's famous triumph at Super Bowl XVII, where Riggins' performance earned him MVP honours and delivered the franchise its first of three championships. The defining moment came when Riggins broke a fourth-and-1 tackle attempt by corner Don McNeal, scoring a 43-yard touchdown that put the Redskins ahead 20-17 with ten minutes remaining.
"For people like me who grew up idolising Riggins, that 70-chip play is the most important single play in the history of the franchise," Oppenheim explained. "Unquestionably. It won us our first championship."
Personal Connection to Memorabilia
Oppenheim, who grew up in Northern California, chose to support Washington simply because they played in burgundy. He had a poster of Riggins' legendary run on his bedroom wall. "The other thing that speaks to me so much, probably more than any other piece of memorabilia I've ever seen is all the mud on it," he said. "I know John says it's blood, sweat and beer all over that jersey - those are his words."
He elaborated on the jersey's significance: "That jersey represents more than just a play and his MVP performance. It represents the grit of the franchise, the hard work, the Hogs' blocking."
Die-Hard Fandom
"I've been a lifelong Redskins/Commanders fan since I was probably 4 years old," Oppenheim continued. "My dad always told me, 'You pick a team and stay with it for life.' I've been a die-hard from age 4 and never looked back... It wasn't tough being a fan then; I thought it would always be like that."
Despite Washington's 35-year championship drought, Oppenheim remains committed, attending games yearly in Washington and when the newly-named Commanders play in Los Angeles. His excitement for the auction was palpable; at 1am on the morning of the event, he stayed up until 3:30am rewatching Super Bowl XVII.
Auction Drama and Future Plans
Initial estimates placed the jersey's value around $200,000, but bidding quickly escalated. Once it reached $250,000, Oppenheim jumped to $350,000. "Just to shut the auction down," he said. "I was going all-in to win this jersey. But at the last second someone bid $360k. So I threw out $400k."
That $400,000 bid, plus a $70,000 buyer's premium, secured the prized possession. Now, Oppenheim hopes to feature both the jersey and ring on Selling Sunset, potentially sharing these historic artefacts with a wider audience.
