The first Super Bowl LIX championship ring to be offered at auction has fetched a substantial sum of $124,440 (approximately £98,000), creating a buzz in the sports memorabilia world. The seller is a young athlete whose journey to the NFL was as unconventional as his decision to part with the prized keepsake.
From Rugby to the NFL: Vakalahi's Unlikely Path
The ring belonged to Laekin Vakalahi, a 22-year-old native of Auckland, New Zealand. Despite never playing a single down in a regular-season NFL game, Vakalahi received the ring as a member of the Philadelphia Eagles' practice squad during their championship-winning campaign last season. His sporting background was not in American football but in junior rugby league and basketball during his upbringing in Melbourne, Australia.
His opportunity arose from a chance meeting with former NFL offensive guard Chris Naeole, who was scouting internationally for the Eagles. This encounter led the 6ft 5in athlete to a spot on Philadelphia's practice squad. However, his NFL stint was brief; he was waived during final roster cuts in August and has not been signed by another team since.
A New Chapter and a Difficult Decision
Vakalahi's decision to sell the ring comes just weeks after he celebrated his marriage in Utah, posting online that he was 'Sealed to my sweetheart for time and all eternity' and calling it a blessing. While he has not explicitly stated that the sale was to fund his wedding or new life, the timing has led to widespread speculation.
He is not the first NFL figure to cash in on a championship memento. The report notes that Pittsburgh Steelers legend Rocky Bleier sold his ring due to financial hardships. Similarly, former players like Plaxico Burress (New York Giants) and Josh Gordon (New England Patriots) have also auctioned their Super Bowl rings.
Fan Reaction and the Ring's Legacy
The sale, reported by Darren Rovell of cllct, has ignited a debate among fans. While some questioned the sentimental value of the ring to a player who never saw game action, others strongly supported Vakalahi's pragmatic choice.
'He did the right thing selling it,' one supporter argued on X. 'What does the ring mean to him?' Another took a more investment-minded view, suggesting, 'It's gonna be worth way more after this.' The Eagles distributed the rings to players and staff following their victory over the Kansas City Chiefs in February.
This sale highlights the complex intersection of professional sport's ultimate symbols and the personal financial realities faced by athletes, particularly those on the periphery of the multi-billion dollar league.
