Tom Brady 2006-2007 NFL Playoffs New England Patriots Game Worn & Signed Cleats

If there is one thing that nearly all football players, coaches, analysts, and fans can agree on, it is this: Tom Brady is the GOAT. 

The seven-time Super Bowl champion has dominated the NFL over the course of his 22-year professional career. His individual accomplishments are vast: three-time MVP, five-time Super Bowl MVP, 15 Pro Bowls, all-time passing touchdowns leader, and all-time passing yards leader. But individual accolades aside, Brady will be best remembered for his unparalleled playoff success. When the weather got cold and the pressure of do-or-die games mounted, Brady rose to the occasion time and time again. His 35 career postseason victories are the most of any player, not to mention 19 more than the next closest quarterback, Joe Montana. When it comes to winning in the postseason, no one has done it more than Tom Brady. 

Sotheby’s is proud to present these Nike football cleats worn by Tom Brady in the 2006 AFC Divisional Round against the San Diego Chargers on January 14, 2007 at Qualcomm Stadium in San Diego, California. Brady and the New England Patriots defeated the top-seeded Chargers 24-21 to advance to the AFC Championship Game. Brady passed for 280 yards with 2 touchdowns. 

These cleats represent the first, and to this date the only photomatched Tom Brady playoff game worn item to have been offered at auction.

The cleats have been photomatched by The MeiGray Group to January 14, 2007, the date of the 2006 AFC Divisional Round matchup between the New England Patriots and San Diego Chargers. 

Additional letters from Resolution Photomatching, JSA, Beckett, PSA/DNA, and SGC are also included with this lot.

Going Deeper

Heading into the 2006-2007 NFL Playoffs, the Patriots earned the 4th seed in the AFC after finishing the regular season with a 12-4 record. After defeating the New York Jets 37-16 in the Wild Card Round, New England advanced to face the top-seeded Chargers, who had secured a bye and home field advantage following a dominant 14-2 regular season. 

San Diego’s high-powered offense featured a trio of superstars in quarterback Philip Rivers, running back LaDainian Tomlinson, and tight end Antonio Gates. Tomlinson, who rushed for 1,815 yards and an NFL record 28 touchdowns during the regular season, was named NFL MVP. In addition to the extra week of rest and home field advantage, the Chargers entered the game with incredible momentum, having won their previous 10 games. But to achieve their Super Bowl dreams, the Chargers would have to beat Brady, who had a career playoff record of 11-1. 

A Tomlinson touchdown gave the Chargers a commanding 21-13 lead with under nine minutes remaining in the game. But a 29-year old Brady, who already had three Super Bowls under his belt, embraced the moment. With little margin for error, Brady led the Patriots down the field in a hostile environment before calmly tossing a short touchdown pass to Reche Caldwell. Following a two-point conversion, the game was tied at 21-21. 

Though they regained possession with just 4:36 on the clock, Rivers and the Chargers committed the cardinal sin of playoff football in the 21st century: they gave the ball back to Tom Brady with the game on the line. Brady guided the Patriots on a 72-yard game-winning drive which ended in a Stephen Gostowski field goal with only 1:10 remaining. The Chargers subsequently missed a potential game-tying field goal and the Patriots advanced to their fourth AFC Championship Game in six seasons. Brady threw for 280 yards and 2 touchdowns in the victory.

Over the course of his career, Brady has made an NFL record 10 Super Bowl appearances. His seven Super Bowl victories (six with the Patriots; one with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers) are more than every single NFL franchise.