Tampa, Fla. — According to auction site Leylands, a ball from past career touchdown pass quarterback Tom Brady as a member of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers has been sold for $518,000.
With 3:20 to go in the fourth quarter of an NFC divisional playoff game against the Los Angeles Rams, Brady passed a 55-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Mike Evans, extending the Rams' lead to 27-20.
Since Brady had given no indication that he would retire, and at the time, there were only rumors that he was considering hanging it, Evans threw the ball into the stands. The fan that caught the ball sent the goods.
Brady's first career touchdown pass (for Terry Glenn) as a member of the New England Patriots was auctioned off the site last year for $428,841.
A total of 23 people bid on Brady's last touchdown ball, with an opening bid of $100,000. Some people on the site estimated that the ball could be worth up to $1 million.
Brady is still under contract with the Buccaneers and has hinted at a possible return, although coach Bruce Arian told NFL Alliance last month that, based on his conversations with the seven-time Super Bowl-winning quarterback, he believes was that Brady had closed the door upon his return.