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A collective gasp could be heard throughout New England when Patriots wide receiver Danny Amendola gave away the ball Tom Brady threw for his 400th career touchdown to a fan.

Luckily, David Bowen was the man who received it. Bowen almost immediately gave the ball back to the Patriots when a ball boy asked him for it and was given a new one.

Now, thanks to his gracious act, the ball is on display at The Hall at Patriot Place, and Bowen got to meet Brady and get his autograph.

"He was very generous, he was very nice to us, it was overwhelming, it's something I'll remember forever," Bowen told the Boston Herald's Owen Boss.

"He signed some stuff for me and thanked me for returning the ball," Bowen added. "I got to congratulate an icon on this amazing accomplishment and what he's done. It was great."

Bowen got a photo op with Brady, too.

It appears Bowen's decision to return the ball worked out well for everyone.