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Prince Amukamara details one-sided jersey 'swap' with Tom Brady

Longtime cornerback landed a jersey from the GOAT — and gave up nothing in return

Cover Image for Prince Amukamara details one-sided jersey 'swap' with Tom Brady
In his nine NFL seasons, Prince Amukamara tried to collect jerseys from future Hall of Famers. (Credit: Getty Images)

Prince Amukamara might have won a ring in his rookie year in 2011, when his Giants defeated Tom Brady's Patriots in Super Bowl XLVI, but that doesn't mean he doesn't have respect for the GOAT.

Amukamara frequently sought jerseys from opposing players who he thought would make the Hall of Fame. His first was Cam Newton.

So, when Amukamara, then playing with the Bears, faced Brady and the Patriots in a 2018 game in Chicago, he had a chance to add a jersey from one of the greatest players in history.

Luckily for him, despite the two never formally meeting, Brady made a "beeline" for him before a game against the Patriots.

"Hey 2-0, you're having a great year," Amukamara recalled Brady telling him. "I was like 'Wow'."

Brady called Amukamara a "great player" in his inscription on the autographed jersey. (Photo courtesy of Prince Amukamara)
Brady called Amukamara a "great player" in his inscription on the autographed jersey. (Photo courtesy of Prince Amukamara)

Amukamara later heard Brady say on a podcast he would complement players prior to games to psych them out, but in the moment, the cornerback was emboldened.

"Thanks, Tom, is it cool if I get your jersey?" Amukamara asked Brady. "I got you," Brady replied.

After the game, which the Patriots won 38-31, Brady was "in a good mood," when Amukamara met him in the middle of the field for the normal pleasantries.

"Hey, Tom, you still got me on that jersey, right?" he asked. Brady, who threw for 277 yards, three touchdowns and an interception during the game, confirmed once again.

Once Amukamara returned to the locker room, he asked one of the equipment managers to go to the Patriots locker room. "Tom's supposed to give me a jersey."

The manager returned empty handed, saying Brady told him he would give it to him when he gets to Bristol. "I'm thinking, dude ... if he leaves here with that jersey, I'm not getting it."

So, Amukamara asked the equipment manager to give it another try. This time, he returned triumphant, running back to the locker room with a black bag in tow.

Brady signed and inscribed the jersey, "Prince, GREAT PLAYER!"

Amukamara clarified it wasn't a jersey swap. Brady doesn't have a game-used Amukamara jersey hanging in his closet.

"So I'm not paying for it," he joked of the one-way deal.

Will Stern is a reporter and editor for cllct.