Tom Brady's Stolen Jerseys Recovered in Mexico: 'Only Super Blemish on the Super Bowl' Solved

Originally published March 20, 2017

Two missing Tom Brady Super Bowl jerseys have been found in Mexico, the NFL confirmed Monday morning. The league said the items were found in the possession of a credentialed member of the international media.

Houston Police Chief Art Acevedo told reporters that information from an informant in Austin led police to Mexico, where the FBI and Mexican authorities assisted in locating the jerseys. Acevedo said he could faces charges of transporting stolen items over state lines and into another country.

Police have not released the suspect's name, but Mexican tabloid La Prensa said the alleged thief was a former executive of theirs named Martín Mauricio Ortega Camberos who resigned from his position March 14 due to a relative's health problems.

"It was not our highest priority but nevertheless, the only blemish on the Super Bowl was the theft of this jersey," he said. "He came to the wrong state. You don’t come to Texas and you don’t steal with the eyes of the world upon our state."

The missing jersey worn by Brady during this year's Super Bowl LI was recovered by the FBI and police. Authorities also found a Brady jersey from Super Bowl XLIX — the win over Seattle in 2015.

Following a historic 34-28 Super Bowl win over the Atlanta Falcons, Brady could be heard in the locker room searching for his jersey. In video posted online, Brady can be seen asking around for it, telling staff that he put it in his bag, but it was no longer there.

Martin Rogers of USA Today reported that Brady looked flustered as he looked around and asked security officials and equipment managers to help find it. Other players assisted in the search, but Brady soon came to terms with the lost item, telling those nearby, “If anyone sees on eBay, a jersey for sale."

Acevedo also called on the NFL to improve their security measures at future events.

"I just hope NFL security takes a look because they are the ones responsible for security in the locker room. They really need to check their protocols and their efforts because these are two jerseys that we’re aware of and it required a response from the Houston Police Department," he said.

The whacky issue of the missing jerseys even found its way into a congressional hearing with FBI Director James Comey:

Comey even used his hatred of the Patriots to try and make some point involving Hillary Clinton, President Trump, and Russia.

Police have valued the jersey from the Falcons game at $500,000, qualifying the theft as a first-degree felony. The Boston Globe reported in February the jersey could be worth closer to $1 million.

Brady was named MVP in both Super Bowl victories.

Image credit: Ronald Martinez/Getty Images