Why do Super Bowl winners get rings and not medals?
- Published
It is customary for Super Bowl winners to be awarded a ring as part of a tradition that dates back to the inaugural championship game in 1967.
The Green Bay Packers ran out 35-10 winners against the Kansas City Chiefs and their coach Vince Lombardi commissioned custom-made rings for each of his players to mark the occasion.
It is not uncommon for players to be awarded rings instead of medals in US sports.
The National Basketball Association (NBA) has awarded championship rings since 1947, but the tradition itself was borrowed from baseball.
In 1922 the New York Giants opted to commemorate their World Series triumph with a ring. Teams had previously given players trinkets such as pin badges and pocket watches to mark their success.
Unlike other sports, such as football or cricket, Super Bowl-winning teams do not receive a ring or a medal on the day of the final. The players have to wait until early June to receive their custom-designed ring.
Former NFL coaches Phoebe Schecter and Phil McGeoghan explain why Super Bowl winners are given rings and not medals
How many rings are made each year?
Each team works with designers to make their custom-made Super Bowl rings
Traditionally teams give rings to their rostered players, coaches and owners, but it is not uncommon for backroom staff to receive one too.
The NFL itself contributes up to $5,000 (£3,728) each towards the cost of first 150 rings, but the franchise can commission as many rings as they choose.
The players, staff and owners are expected to contribute to the cost of purchasing their ring.
How much do Super Bowl rings cost to make?
The 2010 ring awarded to New Orleans Saints players and staff features the score from the game, the date and where the Super Bowl was hosted
Rings are estimated to cost $30,000 to $50,000 (£22,360 to £37,270) each to make, but it varies depending on the design, the weight of gold used and the number of jewels incorporated.
Minnesota-based jewellers Jostens, who have made 38 Super Bowl rings, say they work with each team to perfect the design.
"A core part of the process is engaging the team to make sure everything they want in the celebration is there to tell their story, both on their current season and the team's historical run," said Josten's Chris Poitras.
The Philadelphia Eagales added 145 diamonds to their 2025 Super Bowl ring to represent their record-breaking point-scoring feat in the play-offs.
Every ring is handcrafted and engraved with the players' name and number. The ring also has to incorporate the NFL logo in its design.
Do runners-up get a Super Bowl ring?
Get in touch
Send us your questions
Teams that lose in the Super Bowl do get a ring and the NFL itself contributes up to $2,000 (£1,490) per ring.
They are typically awarded to commemorate the franchise's AFC or NFC championship victory, depending on which division they belong to.
Who has won the most Super Bowl rings?
Tom Brady has won the most Super Bowl rings as a player after winning six Super Bowls at the New England Patriots and one with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 2021.
But Bill Belichick, Brady's former coach, holds the most Super Bowl rings with eight after winning six championships with the Patriots and two as a defensive coordinator at the New York Giants.
Both the Patriots and the Pittsburgh Steelers have won the Super Bowl on six occasions.
This article is the latest from BBC Sport's Ask Me Anything team.