This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 8/12/2011
Coming off a disappointing 5th place finish in Head Coach, Bill Belichick's first season in 2000, the Patriots were not expected to fare much better in 2001. In the second game of the season, nine year starting quarterback Drew Bledsoe, who had just received a huge 10-year contract extension in March of 2001, was injured on a hit by New York Jets linebacker Mo Lewis. Little-known backup, Tom Brady, a sixth-round draft pick in 2000, took over the job at QB and the rest is history. The Patriots still lost that game, to fall to 0–2 to start the season. Brady started the final 14 games of the season for the Patriots, going an impressive 11-3 as a starter. He and the Patriots ended the regular season with six straight wins, to complete an 11–5 season record.
With the second seed in the AFC Playoffs, the Patriots faced the Oakland Raiders at home following a first round bye in the final game at Foxboro Stadium. In a snowstorm, a Patriot's drive late in the fourth quarter, was kept alive in an application of the now famous "Tuck Rule" that was used in overturning a Brady fumble into an incomplete pass. With second life, Adam Vinatieri hit a 45-yard field goal shortly after the ruling on the field, through the snow, now considered one of the most clutch field goals in NFL history. The memorable boot sent the game into overtime. Then, in OT, another key Vinatieri field goal, won the game for the Patriots. After defeating the top seeded Pittsburgh Steelers in the AFC Championship Game, the Patriots faced the heavily favored St. Louis Rams, known as "The Greatest Show on Turf" in Super Bowl XXXVI. Once again, Vinatieri kicked a game winning field goal .......the 48-yard kick ended the game and gave the Patriots their first ever Super Bowl victory in what has been considered by many to be a "Cinderella" season.
This amazing size 10 ring, created by Jostens, is the 14 karat white gold Super Bowl ring worn by the Super Bowl XXXVI champions, the New England Patriots. It features 142 high grade diamonds, 42 diamonds encircle the bezel, which is the edge of the ring's face. There are two larger football shaped diamonds on each side of the bezel. The face of the ring displays the Patriots logo made from red garnets and blue sapphires trimmed with diamonds. A figure of the Lombardi trophy is behind the logo and is made of platinum, a large marquis diamond, and two tapered baguette diamonds. Not including the rarity, and collectors value, just replacement cost is well over $18,250.00.
Identical to the ring that Tom Brady, Adam Vinatieri, Teddy Bruschi, Robert Edwards, Troy Brown, Terry Glenn, Richard Seymour, and all the rest of the player's received. Weighing a massive 67.1-grams (2.37 ounces) of solid 14K white gold, this simply stunning, awesome ring, was produced by Jostens, and has all the proper markings stamped inside the ring ("Jostens" - "C" in a circle for copyright - and "14K") The ring belonged to Coogan - Staff, who was an executive with the team. All the stones on top have been tested, and are guaranteed to be genuine diamonds. This truly incredible ring, is in *Mint Condition*, and is accompanied by a beautiful Wood Presentation Box. This treasure would, without a doubt, be a center piece of any collection.
(PSA/DNA; JSA/James Spence Auction Authentication)