BOSTON (CBS) -- Following New England's AFC Championship Game victory over the Indianapolis Colts in January, many Patriots fans took home some new hats and t-shirts.

One couple took home a much, much bigger piece of history, which is now heading to the auction block.

Following a LeGarrette Blount touchdown in the third quarter, putting the Patriots up 37-7 at the time, New England wide receiver Brandon LaFell picked up the ball in the end zone and handed it to a fan in the front row.

That fan, Laura Nichols, and her husband Matt knew they had a special item that evening. And once the whole DeflateGate mess flared up overnight, and when the Wells Report revealed it was an actual game ball and not a backup as previously reported, suddenly the ball meant (and was worth) a whole lot more.

So now, the football is up for auction at Lelands.com for any Patriots or NFL fan willing to pay a pretty penny for it.

The lowest bid for the ball is set at $25,000. Bidding for the pigskin closes on July 18 at 9 pm.

The winner, of course, can inflate -- or deflate -- it to any PSI they desire.