The football still sits in its case at Antoine Bethea’s house.
There are others in his home, but this one in particular means the most.
The San Francisco 49ers safety got the ball in 2006 during his rookie season with the Indianapolis Colts. A Week 9 road game in Foxboro against the New England Patriots provided the perfect setting for Bethea’s first career interception.
Tom Brady and the Patriots were driving on the game’s opening possession. On 1st-and-10 from the Colts 34-yard line, Brady tossed a deep ball down the left sideline intended for Doug Gabriel.