Super Bowl Rings: Design, Cost & Who Has the Most
The Iconic Symbol of NFL Glory
Few trophies in sports are as instantly recognizable and coveted as the Super Bowl ring. Awarded to the champions of the NFL’s annual showdown, these rings are more than just jewelry—they’re a tangible mark of football immortality, blending history, luxury, and personal achievement. But what goes into making a Super Bowl ring, how much do they cost, and who owns the most? Let’s dive into the dazzling details.
Evolution of Super Bowl Ring Design
The very first Super Bowl rings were modest, almost resembling high school class rings. The original Green Bay Packers’ Super Bowl I ring, for example, featured a single 1-carat diamond surrounded by simple engravings of “WORLD CHAMPIONS” and the team name. As the Super Bowl itself grew in cultural significance, so did the rings: becoming bigger, flashier, and more intricate over time [2].
By Super Bowl 50, the Denver Broncos' ring boasted 212 diamonds, with detailed iconography including the team's logo and three Lombardi trophies. The Kansas City Chiefs’ Super Bowl LVIII ring, awarded in 2024, exemplifies modern extravagance—its top features the Chiefs' arrowhead logo crafted from 16 custom-cut rubies and 50 diamonds, set atop four diamond-studded trophies. The entire ring is studded with 529 diamonds and 38 rubies. One particularly innovative touch: the ring top lifts up to reveal the diagram of the game-winning play [2].
Rings have become so large and ornate that players joke they’re visible “from 10 tables away” in a restaurant. Defensive end Michael Strahan’s input famously led to a dramatically upsized New York Giants ring in 2007, prioritizing boldness and visibility over subtlety [1].
Meaningful Details: More Than Just Bling
Every Super Bowl ring is designed to tell a story. Diamonds and gems are often used to commemorate team milestones or special moments:
- The Green Bay Packers’ Super Bowl XLV ring contains 13 diamonds in its logo—one for each of the team’s championship titles stretching back to 1929 [4].
- The New England Patriots’ Super Bowl LI ring includes 283 diamonds, a nod to their comeback from a 28–3 deficit [4].
- The Philadelphia Eagles’ ring for Super Bowl LII features 127 diamonds—representing the jersey numbers of the three players involved in the famous "Philly Special" play [4].
- The Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ Super Bowl LV ring boasts 319 diamonds on its face, symbolizing their 31–9 victory and includes a removable top revealing a mini replica of their home stadium [4].
These details turn each ring into a wearable storybook, immortalizing the drama and glory of the game.
How Much Do Super Bowl Rings Cost?
The price of a Super Bowl ring has skyrocketed in recent years. Early rings were relatively simple and affordable, but as teams compete to outdo each other, the cost has soared. The New England Patriots’ Super Bowl XLIX rings reportedly cost $36,500 each—a record at the time, soon surpassed by subsequent rings. Recent rings like those for Super Bowl 50 and beyond are estimated to cost even more, with hundreds of diamonds, rare metals, and custom features driving up the price [4].
Teams typically order hundreds of rings—not just for players, but for coaches, executives, and other staff. While players receive the most lavish versions, staff rings may feature fewer diamonds but still command significant value. Rings are presented in ornate display boxes and, for some, become cherished family heirlooms.
Who Has the Most Super Bowl Rings?
When it comes to collecting Super Bowl rings, no player is more decorated than Tom Brady. Over his career with the New England Patriots and Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Brady has amassed seven Super Bowl rings—the most by any player in NFL history [4].
Other notable ring-holders include:
- Charles Haley — 5 rings (with the San Francisco 49ers and Dallas Cowboys)
- Bill Belichick — 8 rings (as a coach and assistant)
- Many players and staff from dynastic teams like the New England Patriots, Pittsburgh Steelers, and San Francisco 49ers have collected multiple rings during their tenures [5].
Having multiple Super Bowl rings is an elite badge of honor and a testament to sustained greatness in a sport where winning it all is never guaranteed.
Why Are Super Bowl Rings So Important?
Beyond their material value, Super Bowl rings represent the ultimate achievement in American football. They serve as personal reminders of teamwork, sacrifice, and triumph. As former Denver Broncos coach Mike Shanahan put it, “You look at it and see skill, luck, big-time plays in big-time moments, but you see the attention to detail and that you have to be a team with that attention to detail, everybody top to bottom, or you’re not going to get one” [1].
For fans and collectors, Super Bowl rings are prized memorabilia, occasionally surfacing at auctions where they fetch astonishing prices. But for the players, coaches, and staff who earned them, these rings are priceless reminders of a moment when everything came together, and history was made.
Watch: Stories Behind the Super Bowl Championship Rings
For an engaging visual look at the history and meaning behind these championship rings, check out this recent YouTube video below: