Super Bowl ring

The Steelers Super Bowl XL ring
Joe Theismann's Super Bowl Ring (right)

The Super Bowl ring is an award in the National Football League given to the winners of the league's annual championship game, the Super Bowl. Since only one Vince Lombardi Trophy is awarded to the team (ownership) itself, the Super Bowl ring offers a collectible memento for the actual players and team members to keep for themselves to symbolize the victory.

Details

These rings are typically made of yellow or white gold with diamonds. They usually include the team name, team logo, and Super Bowl number (usually indicated in Roman numerals). The NFL pays for the cost of 150 rings to the winning team, at roughly $5,000,000 in total, depending upon the fluctuating cost of gold and diamonds. Most rings are manufactured by memorabilia company Jostens. In 2015 (for the New England Patriots), it was reported that each ring cost $36,500, costing over $5 million, being the most expensive rings Jostens has ever produced.[1] The winning team can typically present rings to whomever they choose, including usually, but not limited to: players (active roster or injured), coaches, trainers, executives, personnel, and general staff. Some teams have also been known to give rings to former players and coaches that were on the team at some point during the season, despite not having been on the winning roster for the Super Bowl itself.[2][3] Sometimes a team will give rings to fans as part of a charity raffle.[4] Teams can distribute any number of rings, but must pay for any over the 150-ring limit. A recent trend over the last 15–20 years has been lesser rings awarded to front office staff. These are commonly called "B" and "C" level rings and are smaller and contain fewer diamonds or contain faux diamonds. The first instance of this was the Redskins Super Bowl XVII ring when many in the front office received rings that were not solid gold and contained cubic zirconia stones (which resemble diamonds). When Tampa Bay won Super Bowl XXXVII, the players and coaches received rings with a diamond-centered Lombardi trophy. Some staff received rings with a metal Lombardi trophy and real diamonds surrounding the trophy and the "C" level ring did not contain any diamonds.

Many rings feature diamonds in the shape of the Vince Lombardi Trophy or a football. Some feature diamonds or gold in the shape of a team logo. Others illustrate the number of Super Bowls that franchise has won. Also, the rings are customized with the player's name and uniform number.

The Green Bay Packers Super Bowl XLV ring[5] contained more than 100 diamonds. The Packer logo, in the center of the ring, made up 13 diamonds, one for each title the team has won, dating back to 1929. In a break from tradition, this is the first super bowl ring to be made of platinum, not gold.

Value and resale

Replicas of the rings for various years are popular collectibles, along with genuine rings. Dave Meggett is known to have placed his ring for sale on eBay. Two Super Bowl rings from the 1970 Steelers sold on eBay for over $32,000 apiece in mid-2008.[6] Patriots safety Je'Rod Cherry raffled his ring from Super Bowl XXXVI in November 2008 to benefit several charities working to help children in Africa and Asia.[7] Tight end Shannon Sharpe, meanwhile, gave his first Super Bowl ring to his brother Sterling, who had his career cut short by injury.[8]

In 2011, a Super Bowl ring belonging to Steve Wright, a lineman for the Green Bay Packers in the 1960s, sold for over $73,000 at auction. Three Super Bowl rings belonging to former Raiders' great Ray Guy brought over $96,000 at auction. In 2012, Lawrence Taylor's son sold his father's Super Bowl ring from 1990 for more than $250,000.

Most Super Bowl rings

Five Super Bowl Rings; Tim Rooney; Pro Personnel Director/Scout; Three with Pittsburgh Steelers and two with New York Giants

   Larry Izzo won three super bowls with the New England Patriots, and one as the special teams assistant coach with the New York Giants 

Players with Super Bowl and Grey Cup rings

A select few have won championships in both the NFL and Canada’s equivalent Canadian Football League (CFL).

See also

References

  1. http://espn.go.com/blog/new-england-patriots/post/_/id/4782282/how-much-does-each-patriots-super-bowl-ring-cost
  2. Sando, Mike (December 16, 2007). "Week 15: Winter Leaves its Mark: Playoff Picture Remains Muddled". Last Call (ESPN).
  3. Duncan, Jeff (September 28, 2011). "Former New Orleans Saints Player Steve Gleason Gets a Super Bowl Ring at an Emotional Party". The Times-Picayune (New Orleans).
  4. d'Estries, Michael (September 21, 2010). "New Orleans Saints Raffle Super Bowl Ring for Gulf Spill Charities". Mother Nature Network.
  5. Hunt, Michael (June 16, 2011). "Packers Marvel at Super Bowl Ring's Might". In My Opinion. Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. Retrieved April 23, 2013.
  6. "Steelers Super Bowl Rings Sold In Online Auction". Pittsburgh: WTAE-TV. July 21, 2008. Retrieved February 27, 2009.
  7. "Je'Rod Cherry Super Bowl XXXVI Ring Raffle". Celebrities for Charities. Retrieved February 27, 2009. This ring is currently in the possession of a sports collector in Ottawa,Canada
  8. Garber, Greg. "Super Bowl Ring 'a Symbol of Excellence'". ESPN. Retrieved March 25, 2010.
  9. Edholm, Eric (January 26, 2011). "Lord of the Rings". Pro Football Weekly.
  10. Delozier, Dave (February 6, 2011). "7 Super Bowl Rings for a Coloradan". Denvery: KUSA-TV. Retrieved February 7, 2011.
  11. Varley, Teresa (February 27, 2007). "Long-Time Scout Bill Nunn Is a Man who Made a Difference" (Press release). Pittsburgh Steelers. Archived from the original on February 10, 2009. Retrieved February 27, 2009.
  12. Bouchette, Ed (February 20, 2010). "Steelers Scout Nunn Receives Honor". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Retrieved March 12, 2010.
  13. Varley, Teresa (February 12, 2009). "Greene one of few with six rings" (Press release). Pittsburgh Steelers. Archived from the original on February 5, 2011. Retrieved April 23, 2013.
  14. Mayer, Larry (March 6, 2012). "Former Bears Safety Boasts Five Super Bowl Rings" (Press release). Chicago Bears. Archived from the original on April 13, 2012. Retrieved April 23, 2013.
  15. Spofford, Mike (July 2, 2011). "One man has all four rings" (Press release). Green Bay Packers. Retrieved April 23, 2013.

External links

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