Tom Brady, minority owner of the Las Vegas Raiders, has revealed that his first autographed NFL card is a rare 1/1 rookie card of the team's quarterback, Fernando Mendoza.
Brady shared the detail at Fanatics Fest in New York, stating his immediate desire to acquire the card upon seeing it. "I found it, and I got it," Brady said during the event. He referred to it as his "first NFL auto, one of one."
Brady expressed confidence in Mendoza, citing the young quarterback's work ethic and promising collegiate career, which included a Heisman Trophy and a national championship with Indiana. "I know how hard he works, he’s got a great family, and he’s coming to a great environment [with the Raiders] for success. So I figured I got to invest in it," Brady explained.
Since Mendoza was selected first overall in the 2026 NFL Draft, Brady has been vocal about his admiration for the player. The former quarterback founded CardVault in 2020, a company that deals in buying, selling, trading, and grading sports cards, with over 16 U.S. locations.
Brady acknowledged that securing the 1/1 Mendoza card was a challenging pursuit, and he paid a "hefty price" for it. He views the acquisition as mutually beneficial, securing a card he desired while potentially bringing luck to his team and aiding Mendoza's burgeoning career.