Tom Brady Game Worn Helmet?

[MallCopKJ]

Hey everyone,

Been a lurker for a while and envy a lot of you guys collections'. I bought this from a guy who's mother works with Dante Scarneccia's (Patriots offensive line coach) wife at an elementary school in Mansfield, Mass. He just had a baby and was selling an incredible collection of Boston sports items. A seat from the last season at Foxboro stadium and a seat from the first season at Gillette Stadium, tons of autographed jerseys, auto'd pictures, a Ray Bourque signed gamer,etc.

Anyways, the Scarneccia family and his family got pretty close and Susan Scarneccia gave this to him as a Christmas present a few years back.

It's got all the proper tagging IMO, the "XL VSR4" stamp (fakes seem to be a regular sized "Proline" Riddell and Brady is one of only a few players who has always worn the "XL" VSR4). The NFL Bolt radio sticker on the back has the "right" epoxy vinyl feel to it. There is a small, circular "worn" spot which does look like it could have had the radio piece stuck to it next to the ear hole, which I took a picture of and added below.

I would appreciate any thoughts. I will basically take a bunch of pictures from different angles and see what you guys think.

[coyot51]

Every detail seems to be on the right place... everything just looks authentic.
Seems you have a nice one here, man!

[bgakladd]

Every detail seems to be on the right place... everything just looks authentic.
Seems you have a nice one here, man!

I disagree. It looks like somebody's tampered with the helmet's padding inside. The xl bumper pad has a medium one installed and look at the outside air valves. It clearly shows the padding has been taken out and not properly installed if it was replaced. That's just for starters.....

[paul457]

Some things I noticed:

* I don’t remember the Pats ever having a thin font Patriots front bumper decal during Brady’s time. It was a riddell logo up through like 2014?
* the American flag doesn’t have thick white border
* the red side shock blockers were used for almost a decade before they switched to the newer style

Questions:
* are there any reconditioning stickers inside?
* are the back number decals metallic or solid navy? It’s a very faint flake so look in the bright light
* same question on the side logos
* is there a number code on the face mask?

I have some pictures of Pats helmets from their HOF That i could post for reference, to check the decals and such. But I’m seeing a few red flags.

[MallCopKJ]

Some things I noticed:

* I don’t remember the Pats ever having a thin font Patriots front bumper decal during Brady’s time. It was a riddell logo up through like 2014?
* the American flag doesn’t have thick white border
* the red side shock blockers were used for almost a decade before they switched to the newer style

Questions:
* are there any reconditioning stickers inside?
* are the back number decals metallic or solid navy? It’s a very faint flake so look in the bright light
* same question on the side logos
* is there a number code on the face mask?

I have some pictures of Pats helmets from their HOF That i could post for reference, to check the decals and such. But I’m seeing a few red flags.

Thanks for the post! What exactly does the reconditioning sticker look like? There is a sticker inside near the ear hole that looks painted over. I will have to check the back numbers but the side logo's almost look like they have a sparkle/shimmer to/in them. I will check the face mask as well. I think there are "04" and "07" numbers on them.


I did find this online by the way:




The font looks like it matches and you can see a small, what almost looks like a divot in the paint which also looks the same on the helmet I have. The color of the clips is also clear.

[NYRangers]

Could you take a photo of your helmet at close to same angle as seen in the photo posted of TB? Thanks and best of luck!

[MallCopKJ]

UPDATE:

So from what I have been told, the NFLPA and Tristar do not allow Tom to inscribe, "Game Used" on items. With that said, he did sign the helmet and gave it a "unique" inscription which is cool.

[ivo610]

UPDATE:

So from what I have been told, the NFLPA and Tristar do not allow Tom to inscribe, "Game Used" on items. With that said, he did sign the helmet and gave it a "unique" inscription which is cool.

I’ve never heard of the NFLPA banning players from inscribing game used before. That’s interesting someone told you that.

[MallCopKJ]

I’ve never heard of the NFLPA banning players from inscribing game used before. That’s interesting someone told you that.

I had actually been told that by Don Yee's secretary (Tom's agent). She also said he has a strict limit on the number of signatures he can sign in a year. I can't imagine there being like a strict penalty or something for signing your autograph? Guessing this is limited to appearance signings.

[emann]

I’ve never heard of the NFLPA banning players from inscribing game used before. That’s interesting someone told you that.

I wouldn't be surprised that was part of the agreement with the promotion putting on the signing. Maybe NFLPA negotiates some portion of these deals at a certain level? Brady being about as big as they can get . . .

Seems to be common with baseball players—for example, Ortiz hasn't been allowed to sign "game used" for awhile now.