Advertisement Two stolen Tom Brady Super Bowl jerseys recovered in Mexico Jerseys were in possession of a 'credentialed member of the international media' Share Shares Copy Link Copy

An international investigation has recovered two stolen Tom Brady Super Bowl jerseys.Working with the FBI "and other law enforcement authorities" the NFL said they recovered the jersey from the Super Bowl 51 victory over the Falcons last month and also the Super Bowl 49 victory against the Seahawks in 2015."The items were found in the possession of a credentialed member of the international media," the NFL said in a statement.Fox Sports' Jay Glazer reported that video from inside NRG Stadium shows the suspect following the team into the locker room. Later, the man leaves with something tucked under his arm.A Mexican federal government official, speaking on condition of anonymity because of the sensitivity of the case, said the attorney general's office participated in the investigation and obtained a search warrant. The jersey and other objects were found March 12, the official said. The newspaper's owner, Organizacion Editorial Mexicana, issued a statement saying the director resigned two days later for "personal reasons." The paper said that if the accusations are true, it "strongly condemns" that the employee used his position "to obtain a media accreditation to be able to access the field of play, news conferences and probably other areas of NRG Stadium." The paper said it had not been contacted by investigators. A company official who was not authorized to discuss the matter publicly told The Associated Press on condition of anonymity that the former director was not part of the media outlet's Super Bowl coverage. "He got accredited on behalf of La Prensa, but he took vacations. ... He was not sent by us," the person said. "They were not even aware that (he) had gone to the Super Bowl." The former director handed over his company phone when he resigned last Tuesday, the person said.Houston Police Chief Art Acevedo said his department's Major Offenders Division traced the jersey to Mexico, where it was recovered in an operation involving both American and Mexican authorities. "The only blemish that we had in the Super Bowl happened to be the theft of the jersey," Acevedo said. The recovered jerseys were sent to Boston to be authenticated, Acevedo said. "We fully anticipate changes being brought against the suspect in this case," he said.Brady, the MVP of the first comeback victory in Super Bowl history, said he left the SB51 jersey in a bag in his locker after the game on Feb. 5, and changed into a champions t-shirt for the post-game ceremony. When he returned, the jersey was missing."I put it in my bag, and then I came out and it wasn't there anymore. So it's unfortunate because that's a nice piece of memorabilia. So if it turns up on eBay somewhere, someone let me know," he said.Houston police estimated the value of Tom Brady's stolen Super Bowl 51 jersey at $500,000."I am happy my jerseys from SB 49 and SB 51 have been recovered, and I want to thank all of the law enforcement agencies involved," Brady said in a statement released through his agent. "I know they worked hard on this case – and it is very much appreciated. Hopefully when I get the jerseys back I can make something very positive come from this experience."Fox Sports reporter Jay Glazer said the Denver Broncos believe the culprit that took Brady's jersey also stole Von Miller's helmet after Super Bowl 50.The suspect is not being named because charges have not been filed. Complete NFL statement: "Through the cooperation of the NFL and New England Patriots’ security teams, the FBI and other law enforcement authorities, the Super Bowl LI jersey worn last month by MVP Tom Brady has been recovered. Also retrieved during the ongoing investigation was the jersey Brady wore in the Patriots’ victory in Super Bowl XLIX against the Seattle Seahawks in 2015."The items were found in the possession of a credentialed member of the international media. Due to the ongoing investigation, we would refer any additional questions to the FBI."The Associated Press contributed to this report.