PITTSBURGH, PA - OCTOBER 16: Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Tom Brady (12) looks on to the field as he enters from the tunnel before the game between the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and the Pittsburgh Steelers at Acrisure Stadium in Pittsburgh, PA on October 16, 2022. (Photo by Shelley Lipton/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
Let’s not count Tom Brady stans out when we’re talking fanbases! One person spent $2.4 million to secure a signed Brady rookie card. The sale, according to TMZ, is the largest this year for a football card in a public auction.
As stated, the lil’ coin maker is pretty exclusive! It was one of 100 produced–originating in the 2000 Playoff Contenders Championship Ticket set. PWCC Marketplace was responsible for auctioning the collectible item.
More than 80 of the cards have been given condition grades. However, none topped the rating assigned to the $2.4 million card. The “piece of cardboard history,” as described by PWCC, was graded mint meaning pristine condition. Adding to the desirability is the card’s perfect autograph grade.
“This is an extremely desirable card featuring the greatest quarterback to ever play the game,” PWCC executive Jeese Craig said.
And while $2.4 might sound hefty to some. The card generated that type of big-spender energy in under 24 hours. According to TMZ, the bidding crossed the $1 million mark 16 hours after it opened.
More than 20 years after the rookie card production, Brady is still refusing to leave the field–even with a seemingly struggling home life. On Thursday (October 20), Tom revealed at a press gathering that he had no plans to hang his jersey.
“I love the sport, and I love my teammates,” Tom said. “And I want to go do a great job for this team like I always have. No retirement in my future.”
His declaration comes several weeks after a Page Six report claimed Brady and his wife, Gisele Bündchen, obtained divorce lawyers. Additionally, reports revealed that Tom and Gisele reportedly lived separately for several months in 2022. Tom’s decision to retire last year and then unretire in March of this year allegedly caused a blow-up in their relationship.
“These past two months I have realized my place is still on the field and not in the stands. That time will come. But it’s not now. I love my teammates, and I love my supportive family,” Tom wrote in a social media announcement. “Without them, none of this is possible. I’m coming back for my 23rd season in Tampa. We have unfinished business.”
Brady’s persistent spirit remains strong, despite admitting that NFL seasons feel like “going away on deployment for the military” on a recent episode of Kevin Durant’s Let’s Go. Brady also said that although a player may plan to do more off-field during a season, plans may not pan out.
“The reality is, when it comes down to it, your competitiveness takes over and as much as you want to have this playful balance with the work balance–you’re going to end up doing exactly what you’ve always done, which is why you are who you are,” Brady said.
Meanwhile, Gisele has BEEN wanting Brady to give it up for more time with his family. Check out her May 2017 comments below.
