Ad Disclosure
Mike Evans gives away Tom Brady 600th TD ball; Bucs eventually negotiate return
By Sydney Hunte
Published:
Tom Brady did something that no other NFL quarterback did: throw for a 600th career touchdown, doing so as the Tampa Bay Buccaneers took on the Chicago Bears at Raymond James Stadium on Sunday afternoon. Finding himself on the receiving end of the catch was Mike Evans.
It’s not unusual to see players give fans footballs as souvenirs, and Evans felt that he’d do the same in this situation. The only problem is that this one obviously wasn’t just any other touchdown; 600 passing touchdowns has never happened before, and it’s a strong chance that it might be a while before it happens again, if ever. Evans had a priceless reaction when he was told what he had done:
Mike Evans realizing he gave away Tom Brady’s 600th TD ball is the best part of this game. pic.twitter.com/ON8rHRo0lT
— SB Nation (@SBNation) October 24, 2021
Eventually, the fan that got the ball was coerced into giving it back in return for a signed jersey and another ball, according to CBS sideline reporter Tracy Wolfson.
Bucs negotiated with a fan to get the 600th TD ball back for Tom Brady/HOF. Guy swapped it for another ball and "some kind of signed jersey" per @tracywolfson.
Nantz and Romo absolutely killing him.
"That's a bad deal."
"That's a TERRIBLE deal!"
— Will Brinson (@WillBrinson) October 24, 2021
Jim Nantz and Tony Romo had every right to roast the fan: that ball would have been worth a lot of money.
A Brady signed jersey can be bought for $3,500.
Ball worth $500,000+.
When this game ends, ethics will prevail. Bucs need to do more here. https://t.co/gMApyEe2RO
— Darren Rovell (@darrenrovell) October 24, 2021
“Giving it up was tough. The trainer came over and asked for it. But what am I going to do, say no to Tom Brady?” Byron Kennedy told the Tampa Bay Times.
That ultimately ended up being the first of 3 touchdowns Evans brought in on the afternoon as the Bucs cruised to a 34-3 win over the Bears. The defending Super Bowl champions are now 6-1, their best start in franchise history.
Sydney is an Atlanta-based journalist who has covered everything from SEC and ACC football to MLS, the U.S. men's national soccer team and professional tennis. His work has appeared on such platforms as SB Nation, Cox Media Group and FanSided.
