In Week 10 of the 2001 NFL season, the St. Louis Rams traveled to Gillette Stadium and picked up a victory over Tom Brady and the New England Patriots. Over the next few months, the Patriots reeled off eight straight wins on the way to Super Bowl XXXVI. Who awaited them in New Orleans? Those same formative St. Louis Rams—and the Greatest Show on Turf was an overwhelming favorite to win its second title in three seasons. Brady, however, efficiently led his offense, and his collected play combined with a stellar defensive effort to write the first chapter of the Patriots’ dynasty. Brady shined late in the fourth quarter, engineering a 53-yard drive that resulted in the game-deciding field goal and helped him pick up his first of five Super Bowl MVP awards.
Brady’s 2002 Finest Refractor is one of the best cards to celebrate his first Super Bowl victory. After a two-year hiatus, Topps re-introduced the Refractor parallel to Finest in 2002, and for the first time, the traditional rainbow reflective parallel had serial numbering. This week’s auction showcases a BGS 9.5 example of Brady’s /250 Refractor, and many formative bidders will likely join in the fray in search of a big win late in the bidding.
