5 Things You Might Not Know About the Super Bowl Rings
Super Bowl 57 is just days away, and it’s safe to assume the Chiefs and Eagles players have one thing on their mind - a big sparkly ring. Super Bowl rings are a time-honored tradition that have captivated sports fans for decades. As makers of custom championship rings ourselves, we always love checking out each year's design and monitoring new trends. Much more than a flashy piece of jewelry, the meaning and legacy behind these rings runs deep. Here are some lesser-known facts behind football’s favorite ring.
Who Makes Them?
Although Tiffany & Co. is the exclusive provider of the Vince Lombardi Trophy, they don’t always get the chance to produce the rings. In fact, every year companies will bid for the opportunity to create them. Jostens, the creator of the very first Super Bowl ring, usually wins this bidding war and has created 36 of the 56 rings. However, competitors like Tiffany & Co., Balfour, and Jason of Beverly Hills have also had their turn. Jason of Beverly Hills has won the bidding war for the last two years thanks to their innovative designs.
How Much Are They?
Each ring design is vastly different from the previous year’s, so pinning a number on them is hard. The NFL officially gives the winning team between $5,000 and $7,000 per ring for up to 150 rings. The rings usually end up costing anywhere from $30,000 to $50,000 each with the difference in cost paid by the team’s owners. Last year’s winning team, The LA Rams, have said that their design has the most diamond carat weight in NFL history, with approximately 20 carats of white diamonds set on top of white and yellow gold. It’s safe to assume their ring was closer to the $50k mark.
Of course, some players and staff have sold their rings for various prices. The history behind the ring, who it belonged to, and other variables all contribute to its value. The highest price ever paid for a Super Bowl ring is $230,401 in 2012. The ring was from Super Bowl 25 and previously belonged to New York Giants linebacker Lawrence Taylor.
Who Gets One?
As mentioned earlier, the most rings a team can request is 150. That’s almost enough for all active, reserve, and practice squad players to get two! So who are the extra ones for? While there are no official rules about who does or doesn’t receive a ring, typically both active and inactive players do receive them. Coaches, owners, and high-ranking employees also usually take a ring home. If an owner really wants to, they can order more than 150 rings, but they have to pay the full cost themselves.
Even the losing team gets their own ring! The NFL still gives them $5,000 for up to 150 rings for their players and staff. They may not be as flashy or grab as much attention, but they celebrate the team’s success in getting to the Super Bowl. Popular details on these rings are nods to their conference wins or the final score of the Super Bowl if it was a close game.
Who Has the Most?
If you’re a sports fan, you may be tempted to answer Tom Brady. While Brady has a total of seven Super Bowl rings, there’s still someone who has more: Bill Belichick. As the head coach of the New England Patriots, Belichick led his team to six Super Bowl wins. He also has two other rings from his previous position as the defensive coordinator for the New York Giants. This brings his grand total to eight rings. Brady’s recent retirement announcement means Belichick will likely remain in the number one spot for some time.
What Makes Them Special?
Super Bowl rings are designed to embody the personality of the winning team and outdo the previous year’s design. Each ring is filled with symbolism and meaning in the form of engravings, stone count, carat weight, colors, images, and more. Take for example the LA Rams ring from last year’s Super Bowl. Their ring design was inspired by their home field, SoFi Stadium, where they won the championship. Not only does it have the stadium’s columns around the bezel of the ring, the entire top can be removed to view a tiny football field inside. The underside of the top piece also houses a piece of stadium turf and a piece of the game ball. As mentioned earlier, the total diamond weight of the ring is 20 carats. This was chosen to signify SoFi Stadium’s opening in 2020. There are many more details hidden in the ring as well. The phenomenon of spectacular championship rings has entered many other sports, and even office environments as many people want to feel like a champion. Their unrivaled popularity makes them a true treasure. That's why we at Dion strive to design and create jewelry awards that truly encapsulate the recipient's success.
Championship rings are unique pieces of jewelry that symbolize hard work, dedication, teamwork, brotherhood, and the prideful roar of victory. Their creative designs entrance fans and non-fans alike. With endless ways to customize, they’re sure to create a meaningful impact on anyone who’s earned one. If you’re looking for a custom, high-end award ring for your team, we’ve got you covered. Check out our gallery for examples of our past championship ring designs. Then just