Super Bowl ring

{{Short description|National Football League award}}

{{Use mdy dates|date=February 2019}}

File:Super Bowl Rings I-LVII.jpg

File:Joetheismannrings.jpg's NFL rings (2006); his 1983 NFC Championship ring (left), and his 1982 Super Bowl XVII Championship ring (right)]]

The Super Bowl ring is an award in the National Football League given to the team members of the winning team of the league's annual championship game, the Super Bowl. The Super Bowl ring offers a collectible memento for the actual players and team members to keep for themselves to symbolize their victory.{{cite web | url=https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/25802001/new-york-jets-super-bowl-iii-rings-turn-50-wild-stories-buried-treasure | title=Happy 50th! Jets Super Bowl rings survive ocean, fridge and toilet | first=Rich | last=Cimini | date=January 22, 2019 | work=ESPN.com | access-date=February 5, 2019}} There are also rings provided to the runners-up team of the Super Bowl.{{cite web | url=https://www.espn.com/page2/s/neel/020129.html | title=Super Bowl from A to Z | first=Eric | last=Neel | date=January 29, 2002 | publisher=ESPN Page 2}}

Rings are also awarded to members of the team which wins the AFC or NFC championship.{{cite web | url=http://sports-rings.com/wordpress1/2014/06/18/how-bout-them-cowboys-rings/ | title=How Bout Them Cowboy's Rings | date=June 18, 2014 | publisher=Sports-Rings.com}}{{cite web | url=https://247sports.com/nfl/new-england-patriots/article/first-look-at-the-atlanta-falcons-nfc-championship-rings-53145915/ | title=First look at the Atlanta Falcons NFC Championship rings | first=Tyler | last=Sullivan | date=June 12, 2017 | publisher=247sports.com | access-date=February 5, 2019}}{{cite web | url=https://247sports.com/nfl/new-england-patriots/Article/Brandin-Cooks-thanks-New-England-Patriots-for-AFC-Championship-ring-119084704/ | title=Brandin Cooks thanks Patriots for AFC Championship ring | first=Sam | last=Quinn | date=June 15, 2018 | publisher=247sports.com | access-date=February 5, 2019}} The NFL also provides postseason pay to all players as long as they have spent at least three games on their team's active or reserve list; the playoff bonus money is spread evenly within a team among starters, backups, and injured players.{{Cite web|url=https://www.cnbc.com/2019/02/04/how-much-money-the-patriots-get-for-winning-the-super-bowl.html|title=The Patriots just won the Super Bowl—here's how much money each player will take home|last=Martin|first=Emmie|date=2019-02-04|website=CNBC|language=en|access-date=2019-08-09}}

Details

These rings are typically made of yellow or rose gold with diamonds. They usually include the team name, team logo, the phrase, "World Champions,", and the Super Bowl number (usually indicated in Roman numerals). Many rings feature diamonds in the shape of the Vince Lombardi Trophy or a football, to illustrate the number of Super Bowls that the franchise has won.{{cite web | url=https://www.cnn.com/2015/01/23/us/gallery/super-bowl-rings/index.html | title=Photos: All the Super Bowl rings | publisher=CNN.com | date=January 8, 2019 | access-date=February 5, 2019}} Also, the rings are customized with the player's name and uniform number. The NFL contributes approximately $5,000-$7,000 per ring for up to 150 rings for the winning team; any additional costs are borne by the team.{{Cite news | url=https://www.csmonitor.com/USA/Sports/2015/0126/How-much-does-a-Super-Bowl-ring-cost-It-depends | title=How much does a Super Bowl ring cost? It depends | first=Alexander | last=LaCasse | date=January 26, 2015 | work=Christian Science Monitor | access-date=December 27, 2017 | issn=0882-7729}} Most rings are manufactured by memorabilia company Jostens.{{Cite web |date=2016-02-06 |title=Super Bowl 2016 championship rings: Look inside designer company Jostens - CBS News |url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/super-bowl-2016-championship-rings-look-inside-designer-company-jostens/ |access-date=2024-02-05 |website=www.cbsnews.com |language=en-US}}{{Cite news |last=Belson |first=Ken |date=2018-02-04 |title=In the Super Bowl City, Building the Rings |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2018/02/04/sports/super-bowl-rings.html |access-date=2024-02-05 |work=The New York Times |language=en-US |issn=0362-4331}} The rings are normally presented in an elegant box and/or display case.

The winning team can typically present any number of rings to whomever they choose, including usually, but not limited to: players (active roster, inactive roster, or injured reserve), coaches, trainers, executives, personnel, and general club staff. Some teams have given 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.{{cite news |first= Mike |last= Sando |date= December 16, 2007 |title= Week 15: Winter Leaves its Mark: Playoff Picture Remains Muddled |url= https://www.espn.com/nfl/notebook?page=lastcall07/week15 |work= Last Call |publisher= ESPN }}{{cite news |first= Jeff |last= Duncan |date= September 28, 2011 |title= Former New Orleans Saints Player Steve Gleason Gets a Super Bowl Ring at an Emotional Party |url= http://www.nola.com/saints/index.ssf/2011/09/former_saint_steve_gleason_rec.html |work= The Times-Picayune |location= New Orleans }} Sometimes a team will make rings available to fans as part of a charity raffle.{{cite news |first= Michael |last= d'Estries |date= September 21, 2010 |url= http://www.mnn.com/lifestyle/arts-culture/blogs/new-orleans-saints-raffle-super-bowl-ring-for-gulf-spill-charities |title= New Orleans Saints Raffle Super Bowl Ring for Gulf Spill Charities |publisher= Mother Nature Network}} A recent trend over the last 15–20 years has been to present lesser-valued rings to non-player and front office staff. These are commonly called "B" and "C" level rings (while the player rings would be considered "A" rings) and are smaller and contain fewer diamonds or imitation 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 "A" rings with a diamond-centered Lombardi trophy.{{cite web | url=https://www.bustle.com/articles/140330-do-super-bowl-rings-have-real-diamonds-heres-the-story-behind-the-bling | title=Do Super Bowl Rings Have Real Diamonds? Here's The Story Behind The Bling | first=Amy | last=Sciarretto | date=February 7, 2016 | publisher=Bustle.com | access-date=February 5, 2019}} Some staff received rings with a metal Lombardi trophy substituted, with real diamonds surrounding the trophy, while the "C" level ring did not contain any diamonds. Per the CBA, players that were on the winning team's practice squad at the time of the Super Bowl victory are also entitled to a ring, but it can be one of lesser value.{{cite news|url=https://nflpaweb.blob.core.windows.net/media/Default/NFLPA/CBA2020/NFL-NFLPA_CBA_March_5_2020.pdf|title=NFL Collective Bargaining Agreement-2020|publisher=NFLPA|work=Article 51, Section 15|access-date=January 19, 2021}}

The Green Bay Packers' Super Bowl XLV ring{{cite news |url= http://www.jsonline.com/sports/packers/124050324.html |first= Michael |last= Hunt |title= Packers Marvel at Super Bowl Ring's Might |department= In My Opinion |work= Milwaukee Journal Sentinel |date= June 16, 2011 |access-date=April 23, 2013}} contained more than 100 diamonds. The Packers logo, in the center of the ring, was made up of 13 diamonds, one for each championship title the team has won, dating back to 1929. The New England Patriots Super Bowl XLIX rings reportedly cost $36,500 each, making them the most expensive rings Jostens had ever produced at that time, only to be surpassed by the rings awarded for Super Bowl 50 and Super Bowl LI.{{cite web | url=https://www.espn.com/blog/new-england-patriots/post/_/id/4782282/how-much-does-each-patriots-super-bowl-ring-cost | title=How much does each Patriots Super Bowl ring cost? | first=Mike | last=Reiss | date=June 16, 2015 | website=ESPN.com | access-date=January 17, 2018}}{{cite web|url=https://www.romper.com/p/photos-of-the-eagles-super-bowl-rings-show-theyre-not-as-ostentatious-as-you-might-imagine-9417206 | title=Photos Of The Eagles Super Bowl Rings Show They're Not As Ostentatious As You Might Imagine | first=Jenn | last=Rose | date=June 15, 2018 | publisher=Romper.com | access-date=February 5, 2019}} The New England Patriots' Super Bowl LI ring has 283 diamonds, to commemorate their comeback from being down 28–3 versus the Atlanta Falcons late in the 3rd quarter,{{cite web | url=https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/19601640/new-england-patriots-super-bowl-li-rings-designed-283-diamonds-apparent-nod-comeback-atlanta-falcons | title=Pats' Super Bowl rings have 283 diamonds 'to tell story of the game' | date=June 10, 2017 | agency=ESPN.com news services | website=ESPN.com | access-date=January 17, 2018}} about which Falcons owner Arthur Blank reportedly confronted Patriots owner Robert Kraft in August 2017 over his perceived "insult-by-karat".{{cite web | url=https://www.nfl.com/news/arthur-blank-unhappy-kraft-made-283-diamond-rings-0ap3000000913381 | title=Arthur Blank unhappy Kraft made 283-diamond rings | first=Jeremy | last=Bergman | work=NFL.com | date=March 29, 2018 | access-date=February 5, 2019}} The Philadelphia Eagles' ring for Super Bowl LII contains 127 diamonds on the bezel, which is the total from the numbers of the jerseys of the three players who handled the ball after the snap on the Philly Special trick play—Corey Clement (30), Trey Burton (88) and Nick Foles (9).{{cite magazine|last=West|first=Jenna|title=The Eagles' Super Bowl Rings Pay Tribute to 'Philly Special' and Dog Masks|url=https://www.si.com/nfl/2018/06/14/eagles-super-bowl-rings-philly-special-dog-masks|magazine=Sports Illustrated|date=June 14, 2018|access-date=June 16, 2018}}[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r7OL5gjG_hY&t=65 The Making of the Super Bowl LII Championship Ring] (Philadelphia Eagles, posted to YouTube on Jun 15, 2018) The Tampa Bay Buccaneers ring for their Super Bowl LV victory contained 319 diamonds on the face to symbolize their 31–9 victory over Kansas City. That ring was also the first to have a removable top, which when opened reveals a hand-carved replica of Raymond James Stadium, where they became the first team to win a Super Bowl on their home field.{{Cite web|date=2021-07-23|title=Bucs get glitzy SB rings honoring hometown win|url=https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/31865322/tom-brady-champion-bucs-get-glitzy-super-bowl-lv-rings-honoring-historic-hometown-win|access-date=2021-07-23|website=ESPN.com|language=en}}

In recent years, rings are typically presented in ornate display cases. After winning Super Bowl 50, the Denver Broncos rings were handed out in large, ornate boxes, complete with a decorative padlock and commemorative game ball.{{Cite web|title=At the ring ceremony with the Super Bowl Champion Denver Broncos|url=https://www.denverbroncos.com/photos/at-the-ring-ceremony-with-the-super-bowl-champion-denver-broncos-17248906#62627bb5-901d-4dd4-a355-2fcb643268de|access-date=2022-01-18|website=denverbroncos.com}}

Value and resale

Replicas of the rings for various years are popular collectibles, along with genuine rings.{{cite web|url=http://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/25802001/new-york-jets-super-bowl-iii-rings-turn-50-wild-stories-buried-treasure |title=New York Jets Super Bowl III rings turn 50 - Wild stories of buried treasure |work=Espn.com |date=January 22, 2019 |access-date=February 5, 2019}} Dave Meggett is known to have placed his ring for sale on eBay. Two Super Bowl rings from the 1970s Steelers sold on eBay for over $69,000 apiece in mid-2008.{{cite news |url=http://www.thepittsburghchannel.com/sports/16948627/detail.html?rss=pit&psp=sports |title=Steelers Super Bowl Rings Sold In Online Auction |location=Pittsburgh |publisher=WTAE-TV |date=July 21, 2008 |access-date=February 27, 2009 }}{{dead link|date=October 2017 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }} 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.{{cite web |url=https://www.celebritiesforcharity.org/raffles/RaffleID_SuperBowlRing.cfm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303172118/https://www.celebritiesforcharity.org/raffles/RaffleID_SuperBowlRing.cfm |url-status=dead |archive-date=March 3, 2016 |title= Je'Rod Cherry Super Bowl XXXVI Ring Raffle |quote= This ring is currently in the possession of a sports collector in Ottawa, Canada |publisher=Celebrities for Charities |access-date=February 27, 2009}} Tight end Shannon Sharpe, meanwhile, gave his first Super Bowl ring to his brother Sterling, who had his career cut short by injury.{{cite news |first= Greg |last= Garber |url=http://static.espn.go.com/nfl/playoffs01/columns/garber_greg/1319763.html |title= Super Bowl Ring 'a Symbol of Excellence' |publisher= ESPN |access-date=March 25, 2010}}

In 2005, a minor international incident occurred when it was reported that Russian President Vladimir Putin had taken a Super Bowl ring from New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft. Kraft quickly issued a statement saying that he had given Putin the ring out of "respect and admiration" he had for the Russian people and Putin's leadership.{{cite news|url=https://www.espn.com/nfl/news/story?id=2096909|title=Super Bowl ring has 124 diamonds|agency=Associated Press|publisher=ESPN|date=June 30, 2005|access-date=September 19, 2009}} Kraft later said his earlier statement was not true, and had been issued under pressure from the White House.{{cite news|url=http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2013/06/15/putin-said-i-can-kill-someone-with-krafts-super-bowl-ring/related/ |title=Putin said 'I can kill someone with this', took Kraft's Super Bowl ring|first=Michael David|last=Smith|date=June 15, 2013|publisher=NBC Sports| access-date=June 15, 2013}}{{Cite news|last=Farrar|first=Doug|date=June 15, 2013|url=https://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/nfl-shutdown-corner/robert-kraft-vladimir-putin-stole-super-bowl-ring-130732690.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130618200709/http://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/nfl-shutdown-corner/robert-kraft-vladimir-putin-stole-super-bowl-ring-130732690.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=June 18, 2013|title=Robert Kraft says that Vladimir Putin stole his Super Bowl ring, which the Kremlin denies|work=Shutdown Corner|publisher=Yahoo! Sports}}{{Cite news|url=https://edition.cnn.com/2013/06/16/world/europe/russia-putin-ring/index.html|title= Russian president: I did not steal Super Bowl ring|first1=Alla|last1=Eshchenko|first2=Faith|last2=Karimi|publisher=CNN|date=June 16, 2013}}{{Cite news|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/vladimir-putin/10122827/Vladimir-Putin-stole-a-25000-ring-from-New-England-Patriots-owner.html|title=Vladimir Putin 'stole a $25,000 ring from New England Patriots owner{{'-}}|first=Jon|last=Swaine|work=The Telegraph|date=June 16, 2013|location=London}} The ring is on display at the Kremlin, along with other "gifts".[http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2013/06/16/spokesman-for-putin-denies-he-stole-krafts-super-bowl-ring Spokesman for Putin denies he stole Kraft's Super Bowl ring], profootballtalk.nbcsports.com, June 16, 2013.

Most Super Bowl rings

{{more citations needed|section|date=February 2023}}

Gallery

{{Update|section|date=February 2024|reason=Missing rings for Super Bowls LV and LVIII}}

File:Green Bay Packers (51156287135) (1).jpg|Super Bowl I
(Green Bay Packers)

File:Green Bay Packers (51155413123) (1).jpg|Super Bowl II
(Green Bay Packers)

File:New York Jets (51155521401) (1).jpg|Super Bowl III
(New York Jets)

File:Kansas City Chiefs (51155412613) (2).jpg|Super Bowl IV
(Kansas City Chiefs)

File:Indianapolis Colts (51156286275) (1).jpg|Super Bowl V
(Baltimore Colts)

File:Dallas Cowboys (51155412218) (1).jpg|Super Bowl VI
(Dallas Cowboys)

File:Super Bowl VII Ring - NFL Draft Experience 2021.jpg|Super Bowl VII
(Miami Dolphins)

File:Super Bowl VIII Ring - NFL Draft Experience 2021.jpg|Super Bowl VIII
(Miami Dolphins)

File:Super Bowl IX Ring - NFL Draft Experience 2021.jpg|Super Bowl IX
(Pittsburgh Steelers)

File:Super Bowl X Ring - NFL Draft Experience 2021.jpg|Super Bowl X
(Pittsburgh Steelers)

File:Las Vegas Raiders (51155411058) (2).jpg|Super Bowl XI
(Oakland Raiders)

File:Dallas Cowboys (51156284890) (1).jpg|Super Bowl XII
(Dallas Cowboys)

File:Super Bowl XIII Ring - NFL Draft Experience 2021.jpg|Super Bowl XIII
(Pittsburgh Steelers)

File:Super Bowl XIV Ring - NFL Draft Experience 2021.jpg|Super Bowl XIV
(Pittsburgh Steelers)

File:Las Vegas Raiders (51154506557) (2).jpg|Super Bowl XV
(Oakland Raiders)

File:San Francisco 49ers (51155961599) (1).jpg|Super Bowl XVI
(San Francisco 49ers)

File:Super Bowl XVII Ring - NFL Draft Experience 2021.jpg|Super Bowl XVII
(Washington Redskins)

File:Las Vegas Raiders (51155174816) (2).jpg|Super Bowl XVIII
(Los Angeles Raiders)

File:San Francisco 49ers (51155174591) (1).jpg|Super Bowl XIX
(San Francisco 49ers)

File:ChicagoBearsSuperbowlXXring (1).jpg|Super Bowl XX
(Chicago Bears)

File:New York Giants (51155409073) (1).jpg|Super Bowl XXI
(New York Giants)

File:Super Bowl XXII Ring - NFL Draft Experience 2021.jpg|Super Bowl XXII
(Washington Redskins)

File:San Francisco 49ers (51155408668) (1).jpg|Super Bowl XXIII
(San Francisco 49ers)

File:San Francisco 49ers (51155408443) (1).jpg|Super Bowl XXIV
(San Francisco 49ers)

File:New York Giants (51155959679) (1).jpg|Super Bowl XXV
(New York Giants)

File:Super Bowl XXVI Ring - NFL Draft Experience 2021.jpg|Super Bowl XXVI
(Washington Redskins)

File:Dallas Cowboys (51155959229) (1).jpg|Super Bowl XXVII
(Dallas Cowboys)

File:Dallas Cowboys (51156281815) (1).jpg|Super Bowl XXVIII
(Dallas Cowboys)

File:San Francisco 49ers (51155172341) (1).jpg|Super Bowl XXIX
(San Francisco 49ers)

File:Dallas Cowboys (51155172096) (1).jpg|Super Bowl XXX
(Dallas Cowboys)

File:Green Bay Packers (51155171926) (1).jpg|Super Bowl XXXI
(Green Bay Packers)

File:Denver Broncos (51155171671) (2).jpg|Super Bowl XXXII
(Denver Broncos)

File:Denver Broncos (51155406348) (1).jpg|Super Bowl XXXIII
(Denver Broncos)

File:Super Bowl XXXIV Ring - NFL Draft Experience 2021.jpg|Super Bowl XXXIV
(St. Louis Rams)

File:Baltimore Ravens Super Bowl XXXV Ring (1).jpg|Super Bowl XXXV
(Baltimore Ravens)

File:New England Patriots (51155957579) (1).jpg|Super Bowl XXXVI
(New England Patriots)

File:Super Bowl XXXVII Ring - NFL Draft Experience 2021.jpg|Super Bowl XXXVII
(Tampa Bay Buccaneers)

File:New England Patriots (51155957079) (1).jpg|Super Bowl XXXVIII
(New England Patriots)

File:New England Patriots (51154501862) (1).jpg|Super Bowl XXXIX
(New England Patriots)

File:Draft Town, Chicago 5-2-2015 (17566092010) (1).jpg|Super Bowl XL
(Pittsburgh Steelers)

File:Indianapolis Colts (51155404673) (1).jpg|Super Bowl XLI
(Indianapolis Colts)

File:New York Giants (51155404528) (1).jpg|Super Bowl XLII
(New York Giants)

File:Draft Town, Chicago 5-2-2015 (17131130804) (1).jpg|Super Bowl XLIII
(Pittsburgh Steelers)

File:New Orleans Saints (51155955854) (1).jpg|Super Bowl XLIV
(New Orleans Saints)

File:Draft Town, Chicago 5-2-2015 (17133292203) (1).jpg|Super Bowl XLV
(Green Bay Packers)

File:New York Giants (51156278090) (1).jpg|Super Bowl XLVI
(New York Giants)

File:Baltimore Ravens (51155403538) (1 ).jpg|Super Bowl XLVII
(Baltimore Ravens)

File:Draft Town, Chicago 5-2-2015 (17131140304) (1).jpg|Super Bowl XLVIII
(Seattle Seahawks)

File:New England Patriots (51154499857) (1).jpg|Super Bowl XLIX
(New England Patriots)

File:Denver Broncos (51155167951) (1).jpg|Super Bowl 50
(Denver Broncos)

File:New England Patriots (51154499452) (1).jpg|Super Bowl LI
(New England Patriots)

File:Super Bowl LII Ring - NFL Draft Experience 2021.jpg|Super Bowl LII
(Philadelphia Eagles)

File:New England Patriots (51155953919) (1).jpg|Super Bowl LIII
(New England Patriots)

File:Kansas City Chiefs (51156276410) (2).jpg|Super Bowl LIV
(Kansas City Chiefs)

File:Super Bowl Rings I-LVII (cropped).jpg|Super Bowl LVI
(Los Angeles Rams)

File:Super Bowl LVII Ring.png|Super Bowl LVII
(Kansas City Chiefs)

See also

References

{{Reflist|30em}}