ADDENDUM: Important details have been added to this description.
Presented here is an awesome pair of high-grade, limited edition Sports Illustrated commemorative issues celebrating the New England Patriots's first two Super Bowl titles in franchise history, both thanks to their young star quarterback Tom Brady who is pictured on each cover. Within the last decade, SI has evolved into a monthly publication. Back when the magazine had weekly issues, fewer of these Sports Illustrated Presents special commemorative issues celebrating Super Bowl or World Series champions were distributed. They were tough to find unless you were an annual subscriber.
The Feb. 13, 2002, issue entitled "Amazing" celebrates the franchise's first Super Bowl following the 2001 season. Rookie quarterback Tom Brady was named MVP of Super Bowl XXXVI as the Pats defeated the Rams in the final seconds on Adam Vinitieri's game-winning field goal. This was the first time Brady was on the cover of a major sports magazine. CGC has graded it a 9.2 on their rating scale. The highest example in the CGC Census is 9.8/10.0.
The Feb. 16, 2005, issue entitled "A Team for the Ages" celebrates the franchise's third Super Bowl following the 2004 season. Tom Brady again adorns the cover after as the Pats defeated the Eagles, 24-21. This is the only CGC 9.4 example in the CGC Census, with only six higher (all 9.6).
Note: Since the Feb. '02 issue was not a standard weekly SI, the 4/15/2002 issue (Lot 582 in this auction) is credited as Brady's first official cover.