I’ve always been fascinated by trophies and rings. To me, they represent the pinnacle of human determination, teamwork, and success. From the Vince Lombardi Trophy hoisted high at the Super Bowl to the legendary Stanley Cup, passed down through generations of hockey players, these awards carry with them stories that span decades and unite fans in a shared passion.
Each trophy and ring has its own unique history, filled with unexpected beginnings, legendary champions, and unforgettable moments. Let’s dive deep into the history behind some of the most iconic trophies and rings in sports.
The Vince Lombardi Trophy
Arguably, the most famous trophy in American sports — an estimated 123.7 million viewers tuned in to watch Super Bowl LVIII, the single largest audience for a single-network broadcast in US history — is the Vince Lombardi Trophy. The trophy has been present since the very first Super Bowl and was designed by Tiffany & Co. vice president Oscar Riedner.
According to the book “The Making of the Super Bowl” by former NFL Executive Director Don Weiss, the original design was based on a football and a box of Cornflakes. Riedner, who knew almost nothing about football after moving from his home country of Switzerland, bought a football the night before designing the trophy.
There, at his breakfast table, he finished his bowl of cereal, cut up the empty box, turned it into the trophy base, and placed the football on top. He then showed off his design over lunch with NFL Commissioner Pete Rozelle, where Riedner sketched out his idea on a cocktail napkin. It took until Super Bowl V for the trophy to finally receive its name, the Vince Lombardi Trophy.
Despite some attempts at pitching new names for the trophy in recent years, there is absolutely no reason to think it will ever be renamed away from the coach of the original winner of the first two Super Bowls, the Green Bay Packers. It’s been a little while since the trophy came home, but it’s only a matter of time before it does.
Super Bowl Rings
In the US, perhaps no sport takes up as much of the public’s imagination as football does. Ever since the very first Super Bowl in 1967 (a Chiefs-Packers game), the excitement around the Big Game gets bigger with each new matchup. In 1967, at the first Super Bowl, the Green Bay Packers received simple gold rings.
Nowadays, these rings can hardly be called simple. Each ring is custom-designed, featuring the team’s logo, the Super Bowl number, and often gemstones that represent the victory.
Design elements vary significantly from team to team, but one thing unites them: These rings are symbols of incredible teamwork, individual excellence, and unbelievable dedication.
The Heavyweight Title Belt
I’ve always found it interesting how boxing, compared to other major North American sports, takes a different approach to its championship hardware. Instead of emphasizing a trophy that represents a single year of dominance – like in basketball, baseball, or football – boxing has its iconic championship belt. This belt is a symbol of power, passed down from one champion to the next as they are dethroned.
While boxing’s popularity may have fluctuated over the years, the heavyweight title, arguably the most prestigious title in the sport, still retains a certain mystique that’s hard to rival.
Admittedly, that mystique has diminished somewhat with the introduction of multiple heavyweight titles in recent years. But even with this shift in the sport’s landscape, its origins and legendary champions remain firmly ingrained in our culture.
Take, for instance, the story of the first heavyweight champion, John L. Sullivan, also known as the “Boston Strong Boy.” He was undefeated until his historic loss to “Gentleman” Jim Corbett in 1892. This fight marked the beginning of the “man who beat the man” tradition, where the title is passed down through a lineage of champions. Corbett would go on to hold the title until 1897.
The Stanley Cup
I’ve always been captivated by the Stanley Cup. As the oldest existing trophy in North American professional sports, it’s a true icon, recognized around the world. And it’s not just its age that makes it special; the way it’s crafted and how it evolves over time is truly fascinating.
What I find most remarkable is that the Stanley Cup is more than just a static award. It’s a living piece of history, passed from one champion to the next, each team leaving their mark on it. Every year, the names of the winning players and team are engraved on the Cup, making it a unique record of hockey’s legacy.
The fact that it physically changes every year is incredible! It’s one of the few trophies that actually evolves with each passing season. I’m fascinated by the tradition of adding new bands to accommodate all the names. It speaks to the Cup’s long and storied history.
And the fact that the oldest band is retired to the Hockey Hall of Fame every 13 years adds another layer of intrigue. It’s like a time capsule, preserving the past while making space for new champions to etch their names into hockey history.
Bring Your Own Championship Ring Home
As important as the memory of a winning season is, there’s no replacing something tangible. Signature Championship Rings states there’s no better way to celebrate a title than with custom championship rings.
Creating a custom piece of hardware that each person on the team, from players to coaches to supporters and more, can hold on to for the rest of their lives and enjoy brings a lasting way to look back on all the hard work it took to raise that trophy at the end of the year.
How do get rid of this black theme. I hate that black board look.