Tom Brady return comes hours after auction for ‘final touchdown ball’

Tom Brady announced on Sunday that he will return for a 23rd NFL season, reversing course on his previous decision to walk away from football this offseason. The second-thoughts of the future Hall of Famer could have a big financial impact for not only his family, but one poor bidder who must wish the announcement came a bit earlier.

Tom Brady threw what appeared to be the final touchdown pass of his career on Jan. 23 versus the Los Angeles Rams. Wideout Mike Evans caught the 55-yard touchdown pass over cornerback Jalen Ramsey and proceeded to give the ball away to a fan, as he typically does.

That ball sold on Saturday night at a Leland’s auction for a whopping sum. Tom Brady’s final touchdown ball sold for $518,628 at auction just hours before his return.

Brady returns to the field and his $27 million salary while one unfortunate bidder loses out on a $500,000 investment which figures to lose value if the Buccaneers record a passing touchdown next season. While full details on the transaction are not known at this time, the story will go down as one of the most poorly timed transactions in sports memorabilia history.

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 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.