Why do Super Bowl champions wear rings instead of medals? The real story behind the NFL tradition

Every February, millions of fans watch the Super Bowl and see one team lift the Lombardi Trophy. Instead of medals, players later receive championship rings. This long-standing tradition is unique to American sports.

Rings are personal, permanent symbols of success that players keep for life, according to BBC Sport.

How Vince Lombardi and the Green Bay Packers started the Super Bowl ring tradition

The tradition began in 1967 with Vince Lombardi, the legendary coach of the Green Bay Packers. After the Packers defeated the Kansas City Chiefs 35–10 in the first Super Bowl, Lombardi wanted to give his players something meaningful. Instead of medals, he chose custom-made rings. That decision quietly changed how championships were celebrated in American football.The idea itself came from baseball. In 1922, the New York Giants marked their World Series win with rings, moving away from small gifts like watches and pins. Over time, other leagues followed the same path. The National Basketball Association has awarded championship rings since 1947. Slowly, rings became the strongest symbol of winning in US sports because they could be worn, saved, and passed down.

Why Super Bowl rings matter more than medals in today’s NFL

Super Bowl rings are not handed out on game night. Players usually receive them in early June during a special team ceremony.

Each ring is custom-made, engraved with the player’s name and jersey number, and includes the National Football League logo. Many rings also include small details that reflect key moments from the season. Minnesota-based jeweler Jostens has created 38 Super Bowl rings and works closely with teams on design. Rings typically cost between $30,000 and $50,000 each. The NFL pays up to $5,000 toward the first 150 rings, while teams cover the remaining cost. Even the losing Super Bowl team receives rings to honor its conference championship. As for records, Tom Brady has won seven rings as a player, while Bill Belichick owns eight in total.