The NFL confirmed on Monday that Tom Brady’s game-worn jerseys from Super Bowl LI and Super Bowl XLIX were stolen by a credentialed member of the media, and the suspect has been identified as a former director of a Mexican newspaper.
Mauricio Ortega, who formerly worked for the daily publication La Prensa, resigned last week, according to a Monday press release from the newspaper. Ortega cited difficulties related to the health of a family member as the reason for his resignation.
“With complete surprise and disappointment, today we have received the news of the alleged behavior by Martin Mauricio Ortega Camberos on February 5, 2017, inside NRG Stadium in Houston Texas, where Super Bowl LI took place,” La Prensa’s statement read, according to a translation from USA Today.
“Editora La Prensa S.A. de C.V., if these allegations are true, strongly rejects the behavior of Martin Mauricio Ortega Camberos, who took advantage of the position he held, used the newspaper La Prensa to obtain media credentials to access the field of play, press conferences and probably other areas of NRG Stadium.”
The newspaper apologized that the alleged crime happened by someone who was an employee of the company at the time and made it clear that Ortega acted alone.
A video that was obtained by Jay Glazer of FOX Sports shows a man — likely Ortega — who entered the locker room just behind Bill Belichick after Super Bowl LI and exited not long after with something tucked under his arm. You can watch the footage here.
Authorities were unable to confirm if Ortega is a suspect, as the investigation remains ongoing. A report also claims the same man who stole Brady’s jerseys may have swiped some gear from Von Miller after Super Bowl 50.
