This lot is closed. Bidding ended on 6/10/2024.
SB XXXVI was Tom Brady’s 1st. The underdog Patriots beat the heavily favored Rams, 20-17. The NFL postponed a week of regular-season games and moved the playoff schedule back. As a result, the SB was rescheduled from Jan 27 to Feb 3, becoming the first SB played in February. Due to heightened security measures from 9/11, it was the first SB designated as a National Special Security Event by the Office of Homeland Security. The Pats chances for a SB appearance seemed bleak, early in the season. Before the season, QB Coach Dick Rehbein died of a heart attack at age 45. Belichick lost their first two games and in their second loss at home to the Jets, starting QB Drew Bledsoe suffered a sheared blood vessel that sidelined him for several weeks. Enter Tom Brady and fast forward to the greatest QB in football history. At the time, TB was a sixth-round draft pick who had thrown only 3 passes in 2000. On top of that, their leading Wide Receiver Terry Glenn did not play much of the season due to injuries and off-field issues. Brady saw immediate success, leading the Pats to a 44-13 win over the Colts in his first start and to an 11-5 season record, ultimately being named SB MVP, and the rest was history. This was also the Patriots very first SB trophy. This is a Wilson Official Paul Tagliabue NFL Football, with SUPER BOWL XXXVI / American Flag logo. Dick Raphael was a famous Boston / NE sports photographer for 40 years. It is noted by our consignor that Raphael often traded photographs to team staff members for game balls. This ball was sourced from his estate.