The world of professional sports has the one ultimate goal defining success for an athlete. The Ring. The Championship Ring.
In spite of the NFL lockout, the presentation of the Championship Rings to the Green Bay Packers players, staff and executives was an event that was not going to be missed. The team got special permission from the NFL to hold the event, and all but three players were in attendance (one was in the delivery room with his wife). Charles Woodson played for a lot of dreadful teams over the years, and it was always his dream to win the Ring. Executive Mark Murphy talked about how the Ring symbolizes the Packers championship tradition in excellent fashion.
Clearly the pride of winning the biggest prize of them all is evident in the smiles, and even the peace pipe that owners and players smoked during this truce in the NFL war. Contrast this with the far out attitude of Mark Cuban, NBA owner, whose Dallas Mavericks just won the NBA Championship. While his players, coaches and front office staff were clearly looking forward to getting a ring, he burst everyone's bubble with the announcement that there would be no ring for the NBA World Champions. Perhaps a Championship Bracelet, he suggested? The team, not a single one of which had ever won a championship ring, were all opposed to this. To a player, they all scoffed at Cuban's notion that a ring was old school and thus no longer relevant. He said he wants to take it to the next level, with something different. I don't think so!
Athletes want the Ring. Owners want the Ring (well, most), and staff want the ring. The NFL pays $5,000 per ring, up to 150 rings, and the teams pick up any additional cost. The 4 marquis diamonds on the Packers ring represent 4 World Championships. 13 diamonds in the G represent each of the 13 NFL Championships. The 92 smaller diamonds represent the 92 year history of the club. Lambeau Field is on one shank, the Lombardi Trophy is on the other. The players jersey number is circled, just like on the first jersey the team wore. The inside of the ring is engraved Mind, Goal, Purpose, Heart, which was the inspirational motto of the team. The rings are made of platinum, with 14K gold, and weigh 116 grams. Wow! Fans can order their own version of the ring, also made by Jostens, at the Packers Pro Shop.
It's all about the ring. Don't doubt this. After 14 seasons for Charles Woodson, it just doesn't get any sweeter than this.
