Tomm Brady's Last Touchdown Pass Football (Photo-Matched & MeiGray LOA)

Auction: Winter Classic 2022

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Tomm Brady's Last Touchdown Pass Football (Photo-Matched & MeiGray LOA)

If there is any item in the field of sports collectibles thatneeds no embellishment, it is this historic piece: the final touchdown ball ofTom Brady’s career. The historic event took place just recently in the Tampa BayBuccaneers’ home playoff loss to the Los Angeles Rams at Raymond James Stadiumin Tampa, Florida, on January 23, 2002. Brady’s 55-yard touchdown pass wascaught by wide receiver Mike Evans, which cut the Rams’ lead to 27-20 with 3:20left to play in the fourth quarter. As is his habit when he scores, Evanstossed the ball into the stands, where it was caught by our consignor. Obviously,with the game not yet decided, and Tom Brady having given no formal indicationthat he was retiring at the conclusion of the Buccaneers’ season, no one couldhave realized the ball’s historical significance at the time. It was only afterthe loss, and Brady’s stunning announcement a week later, that the true valueof the piece became apparent. Unlike other items used in the commission of a famouslast event, this ball has dual significance because it was also used to establishTom Brady’s record of 86 career playoff touchdowns. To put that number in itsproper perspective, the player in second place, Joe Montana, has a total of 45.Like most of Brady’s passing records, it is a mark that will almost certainly standthe test of timeAs we mentioned earlier, this ball has been consigned directlyfrom the fan who caught it after Evans tossed it into the stands. That impeccableprovenance notwithstanding, the ball has also been conclusively photo matched. TheWilson Official NFL football features a large NFL logo on side panel, belowwhich, on a separate panel is a silver oval bearing the Buccaneers’ team logoand the number “435.” Additionally, that same panel displays numerous smallwhite “specks” that are a byproduct of its game use. Both the number “435” andthe “specks” can be clearly seen in two closeup Getty Images (1237945845 and1366493887) of Evans as he makes his fourth-quarter touchdown catch. It is only through an incredible stroke of luck that this ball isavailable to private collectors. If Evans had not tossed it into the stands, itwould still be in the possession of the Buccaneers and would never be offeredpublicly. Lelands too has experienced a second stroke of good fortune. It was lessthan a year ago that we offered Tom Brady’s first career touchdown ball (Lot 5;2021 Mid-Spring Classic; realized $428,841). Ironically, Brady’s firsttouchdown ball, like his last, was also tossed into the stands by the receiverwho caught it (Terry Glenn), therefore depriving the NFL Football Hall of Fameof what would be two of its most important artifacts. Which of the two Bradytouchdown balls is the most significant, his first or last? That, of course, isfor the collectors and historians to debate, but one thing is certain: the opportunity to obtain a piece of football history of this magnitude may never presentitself again.Comes with full letter of authenticity and photo-match by MeiGray.