2002 Bowman Chrome Gold Refractor Tom Brady /50 #99 PSA 9 MINT

While some might call the 2002-03 season the worst of his career, Tom Brady’s junior campaign was actually a foundational part of the success he would enjoy for years to come. After Drew Bledsoe was traded to Buffalo in April, 25-year-old Brady stepped into the starting role and was loaded with massive expectation—namely, to deliver New England back-to-back Super Bowls. This was a tall task for anyone, though the prospect of a repeat looked promising after the Pats got off to a 3-0 start. But after losing the next four games, it was clear that some players were more focused on relishing last year’s Super Bowl success than on the season at hand. The Patriots ultimately finished 9-7 and missed the playoffs for the first time in the Brady-Belichick era, though Brady individually had the best season of his career to that point. The third-year QB improved his passing total by over 900 yards, and he threw ten more touchdowns than he did the year prior, with his 28 scores actually leading the league. “I think he had some significant development, I sure do,” Belichick said of Brady after the season. “The things that he handled, the things that he was asked to do, and the offense, the expansion of the offense, and his role in it. I would say that he definitely grew.” That growth translated into back-to-back Super Bowls victories in ‘03 and ‘04, officially establishing the Patriots dynasty and solidifying Brady as one of the most talented quarterbacks in the league. Yet the struggles of that 2002 season were essential to Brady’s growth into a champion, which is why this 2002 Bowman Gold Refractor /50 serves as a stunning reminder of the future Hall of Famer’s origins. Just four examples have graded higher than this Pop 5 PSA 9, giving this card the potential for plenty of growth ahead. Brady and the Pats may have been humbled by that ‘02 season, but with this card in hand, that is the last thing you should be.