Plaxico Burress, the former New York Giants wide receiver, is auctioning the football from his game-winning touchdown in Super Bowl XLII, which delivered the Giants a 17-14 victory over the previously unbeaten New England Patriots. The historic ball, integral to one of the most memorable moments in NFL history, is being offered through Sotheby’s with an estimated value between $100,000 and $200,000 and no reserve price.

The touchdown catch occurred late in the fourth quarter on February 3, 2008, after quarterback Eli Manning found Burress in the end zone, putting the Giants ahead following David Tyree’s famous "Helmet Catch." This sequence ended the Patriots’ bid for a perfect season and remains a defining highlight of Burress' career. According to Burress, referees did not replace the football after the catch, leaving the original ball in his possession in his New Jersey home for the past 18 years.

Sotheby’s described the ball as one of the most significant in football history, highlighting its direct connection to the pivotal play that sealed the upset. The auction listing emphasizes the ball’s provenance, confirming its authenticity through Burress himself.

Burress’ career following that Super Bowl peak was marked by challenges. In 2008, later that year, he pled guilty to attempted criminal possession of a weapon after accidentally shooting himself in the leg at a New York nightclub, resulting in a 20-month prison sentence. This incident sidelined Burress from the NFL for two years. He returned to professional football in 2011 with the New York Jets, where he recorded 612 receiving yards and eight touchdowns during his tenure.

Prior to his iconic Super Bowl moment, Burress was primarily known for his time with the Pittsburgh Steelers, achieving multiple 1,000-yard receiving seasons. The auction of this football offers collectors and fans a rare opportunity to own a tangible piece of NFL history tied to one of the league’s most dramatic upsets.