🔓 ‘Tom deserved that ball:’ UCF alum describes negotiations for Brady’s 600th TD ball

TAMPA, Fla. – University of Central Florida alumnus Byron Kennedy had a life-changing moment Sunday when Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Mike Evans tossed him -- a fan at the game -- the ball that marked Tom Brady’s 600th career touchdown pass.

Kennedy, who graduated from UCF in 2015, later gave the historic ball to Brady -- but only after a little bit of negotiating with team officials.

“Everyone thinks I did the right thing,” Kennedy told News 6 anchor Ginger Gadsden during a Zoom call interview.

In exchange for the ball, Kennedy received a Bitcoin valued at $63,000, two signed Brady jerseys, a helmet signed by Brady, a Mike Evans-signed jersey and game cleats, $1,000 in store credit at the Buccaneers team store and two season tickets for 2021 and 2022.

Kennedy was planning on keeping the ball forever after Evans tossed it to him, but his mind quickly changed during negotiations when he realized the football was part of NFL history.

“Tom deserved that ball,” Kennedy said.

In an interview with CBS after the game, Brady said, “It was pretty funny, you know. (Evans) was like, ‘Man, sorry, do you want that back?’ And I said, ‘I think they’re probably going to get it anyways.’”

The 600th touchdown pass came on a 3rd-and-7 play from the Chicago Bears 9-yard line. With great protection from his offensive line, Brady threw a laser to Evans.

Brady is the first player to throw 600 touchdowns in NFL history. Drew Brees, who retired this past season, is No. 2 all-time with 571 touchdown passes.

Kennedy said he wanted two jerseys of Evans and two jerseys of Brady because his friend took him to the game.

The UCF alum is in graduate medical school and is an internal medicine resident.

“I’m in the hospital, basically taking care of anyone who gets admitted (who) isn’t going to have surgery, he said.

His medical loans did not pop in his mind at any point during the negotiations on Sunday, but he realizes going to school isn’t cheap.

“I will be fine, eventually. It’s not going to be a big deal,” he said.

Tampa Bay tight end Rob Gronkowski and pro wrestler Dean Muhtadi formerly known as Mojo Rawley are also helping out Kennedy.

“Mojo and Gronk are part of a different crypto project called Beyond Protocol and they thought I wasn’t compensated enough. They are going to send me a bunch of their coins as well,” Kennedy said.

Kennedy has two more wishes, though. He said he wants to golf with Brady in the offseason and if Tampa Bay makes the Super Bowl, he wants tickets to the big game.

Besides cheering for the Bucs and going to graduate medical school, Kennedy has a wedding coming up.

He will marry his fiancee in February 2023. She was out of town this past weekend and was getting all the updates on her phone.

“She and her family think I did the right thing,” Kennedy said.

Since Sunday, Kennedy has been doing nonstop interviews to the point that his employer gave him a day off. During his “press tour,” Kennedy has been calling No. 12 by his first name.

“He called me Byron on Monday Night Football. I call him Tom, were basically on a first-name basis,” he said.

Brady is making his case to be the Most Valuable Player in the NFL in his 22nd season in the league.

The quarterback has thrown for 21 touchdowns, 2,275 yards and three interceptions in seven games.

The Bucs are 6-1 this year and Kennedy thinks the team will repeat as champions.

“I don’t see another team that can beat us right now,” he said.