Report: Decision made on auctioned Tom Brady 'final' touchdown ball

One day before Tom Brady announced he was coming out of retirement, a fan paid more than $518,000 for what — at the time — was his final touchdown throw. Friday, the situation got resolved.

The sale has been voided, according to ESPN’s Dan Hajducky. The buyer, the cosigner and Leland Auctions came to a mutual agreement on the decision.

“We wanted to do the right thing here,” Lelands president Mike Heffner said, via Hajducky. “It’s the most unique situation that we’ll probably ever encounter in our lifetimes — at least when it comes to sports memorabilia. We’re still not to the end of the book yet; we’ve written a chapter.”

Mike Evans caught the pass in question, a 55-yard touchdown catch against the Los Angeles Rams, and promptly handed it to a fan. That’s when it went up for auction, where the buyer paid $518,628 for it. But even though that fan is keeping their money, Heffner made another good point.

“Tom Brady, let’s face it, is kind of unpredictable these days,” he said. “Until he throws that first touchdown pass in September, this ball is still the record.”

More on Tom Brady’s return

One of the greatest of all time announced he would be hanging up his cleats shortly after the 2021 season ended in Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Tom Brady. Playing for 22 seasons, Brady was going to go out with six Super Bowl rings between Tampa Bay and the New England Patriots.

However, the journey is not over for Brady. He shocked everyone on on Selection Sunday by announcing he would be returning for his 23rd year in the NFL next season.

“These past two months I’ve realized my place is still on the field and not in the stands,” Brady said via Twitter. “That time will come. But it’s not now. I love my teammates, and I love my supportive family. They make it all possible. I’m coming back for my 23rd season in Tampa. Unfinished business LFG.”

Brady makes his announcement just hours before free agency begins in the NFL. Tampa Bay was going to have a lot of decisions to make but now, with Brady back, the Buccaneers are once again an intriguing destination for free agents to land.

Throughout his career, Brady has thrown for 84,520 yards and 624 touchdowns. Splitting time between the Buccaneers and the Patriots, the six championships are more than anybody in the history of the NFL.

On3’s James Fletcher contributed to this report.