Atlanta Falcons owner Arthur Blank was “pissed off” over the New England Patriots’ Super Bowl ring, and you can probably guess where this one is going.
New York Times Magazine’s Mark Leibovich wrote an article that was published on Thursday title, “Where Does the
N.F.L. Go After a Season of Division?” The article opens about a meeting between Blank and Patriots owner Robert Kraft to discuss NFL business, such as Roger Goodell’s contract. But it turns out Blank had something to discuss with Kraft first — the Patriots’ Super Bowl ring.
From Leibovich’s piece:
Blank, who bought the Falcons in 2002, mostly took the loss and the attendant trolling in stride. But the ring stunt bothered him. He found it unnecessary and tacky. “I said to Robert, ‘You didn’t have to do the 28-3 in the ring,’” he told me recently. “It kind of pissed me off.”
The Patriots’ rings had 283 diamonds as a nod to the 28-3 comeback the Patriots completed in the Super Bowl. If you were in their position, of course you’d want a reference to that score. If you’re the Falcons, of course you’ll always be taunted over it.
Blank and Atlanta should just get used to it. They’re probably never going to hear the end of it, as everyone continues to remind them about it.
