This lot is closed. Bidding ended on 5/11/2001.
After lighting it up for the Washington Huskies in college, Drew Bledsoe went on to become the youngest quarterback in NFL history to pass for 10,000 yards. In his seven year pro career, he has passed for over 4,000 yards in a season on two occasions and has totaled 147 touchdown passes. In 1996-97, he led the New England Patriots back to the Super Bowl for the first time since 1985, where they lost a close fought exciting game to the Green Bay Packers. This jersey was worn during the 1997 Super Bowl XXXI against the Green Bay Packers. At the base of the "V" neck is the "NFL" patch and below is the name "Patriots" in white Swiss embroidered stitch. On the left front tail is the "Starter" exclusive label with the size tag "50" below. On the inside left tail is the wash tag. On the back of the jersey is a white nameplate with the name "Bledsoe" in blue tackle twill. The player number "11" appears on the front, back, and on each sleeve of the jersey in red on blue tackle twill. On the inside back number "1" is stenciled "Set 2 1996 Season."On each shoulder is the Patriots emblem and on each sleeve is the Starter logo. There are three features which tell us this was a Super Bowl jersey. The first is that the numbers were steam pressed to eliminate crinkling. The second is that the Starter logos were removed and re-sewn above the numbers on the sleeves. The third is the replacement of the metallic silver material on the shoulder logos for the Super Bowl because they had lost their sheen during the course of the season. Attached is a letter from long time collector, Lou Lampson, who is the former owner of the jersey, further attesting to the authenticity of the jersey. It shows game-use and with the exception of the replaced silver material and the re-sewn logos, appears to have no other alterations of any kind.