Boy buys SB ring for the Fridge!!!

[pmannings#1fan]

Not sure if anyone threaded this yet if they did please forgive me & don't hang me for it. Thought this was a cool story so I'm sharing it with ya!!
NFL.com news: Boy, 10, uses savings to return Super Bowl ring to 'The Fridge' (http://www.nfl.com/news/story/09000d5d81f1f46d/article/boy-10-uses-savings-to-return-super-bowl-ring-to-the-fridge?module=HP_headlines)

[CarolinaGuy]

I like this story...thumbs up to this kid

[Trackster40]

Boy, 10, returns Fridge's Super Bowl ring - Chicago Bears Blog - ESPN Chicago (http://espn.go.com/blog/chicago/bears/post/_/id/4670167/ten-year-old-returns-fridges-super-bowl-ring)

Here's the video to it...saw an article about it on espn..great story!! Did the kid buy the ring all by himself??

[pmannings#1fan]

I like this story...thumbs up to this kid

Greatest part is he didn't expect anything in return except for a simple thank you but the Fridge showed his appreciation to him with 2 autographed jerseys. I liked it too so I made this thread. Thanks for reading!!!

[pmannings#1fan]

Boy, 10, returns Fridge's Super Bowl ring - Chicago Bears Blog - ESPN Chicago (http://espn.go.com/blog/chicago/bears/post/_/id/4670167/ten-year-old-returns-fridges-super-bowl-ring)

Here's the video to it...saw an article about it on espn..great story!! Did the kid buy the ring all by himself??

From what I read it was his college fund money & he discussed it over with his parents who gave their blessing to do so.

[Trackster40]

From what I read it was his college fund money & he discussed it over with his parents who gave their blessing to do so.

Wow, talk about a kid with a huge heart!! Cool story all around

[Lateralus]

Something about this story just doesnt seem right... I cant put my finger on it, but it doesnt. My girl even brought up a good point. You figure the team, teammates, himself, etc.. woulda bought it back if it was a big deal. Why would a 10 year old, who prolly doesnt even know who he is, wanna randomly buy him the ring back using his college fund...

[chasacar86]

Great story and incredible gesture by the kid...but is anyone thinking Perry will eventually sell this again in the future? He didn't seem like he was doing too well and I'd assume he isn't in the best financial position either after all those years of alcoholism and his current situation.

[crazy8parlay]

Great story and incredible gesture by the kid...but is anyone thinking Perry will eventually sell this again in the future? He didn't seem like he was doing too well and I'd assume he isn't in the best financial position either after all those years of alcoholism and his current situation.

Was thinking the exact same thing. Odds are good that ring ends up back on the market. Hopefully the kid signs some kind of an agreement with the Fridge that he isn't allowed to sell it.

[dthimesch]

Great story and incredible gesture by the kid...but is anyone thinking Perry will eventually sell this again in the future? He didn't seem like he was doing too well and I'd assume he isn't in the best financial position either after all those years of alcoholism and his current situation.

I agree, he sold it once, once going to stop him from selling it again.

[mgugs46]

Something doesnt add up here. How would a 10 year old even know who a guy is who played in the mid 80's?

[golferphil]

Very heartwarming story. I do take issue with the parents letting a 10 year old decide what to do with $8500, especially when it was saved for his college education. I am sure the Fridge is a heck of a guy and has been dealt a bad hand, but I think it was a bad decision to spend $8500 on something like that. I agree with the poster above about the former players or coaches pitching in and buying it for him if it was that important to him.

Oh and where the heck is a 10 yo seeing a super bowl ring? I don't think the story mentions where the ring was purchased, but I assume it was a pawn shop...

[ColtsCrush86]

why in the heck with this kids idiot parents let him spend this kind of money to give a grown man his ring back he sold in the first place?

[ohiomike]

Makes a great story, but as others have suspected it may not add up the way it reads exactly. I wonder if the kid and his parents were duped into thinking they bought the real thing?

Nice Gesture, But Perry’s Super Bowl Ring Likely a Replica | Sports Collectors Daily (http://www.sportscollectorsdaily.com/nice-gesture-but-perrys-super-bowl-ring-likely-a-replica/)

[golferphil]

Makes a great story, but as others have suspected it may not add up the way it reads exactly. I wonder if the kid and his parents were duped into thinking they bought the real thing?

Nice Gesture, But Perry’s Super Bowl Ring Likely a Replica | Sports Collectors Daily (http://www.sportscollectorsdaily.com/nice-gesture-but-perrys-super-bowl-ring-likely-a-replica/)

Oh dear lord. :eek: It appears that they spent a good chunk of change on a replica ring. I sincerely hope the family has the means to absorb that kind of hit in the next 8 years...

[ohiomike]

Technically the ring they likely bought is identical to the real thing, just not the one Perry was given and originally owned.

Doesn't take anything away from the gesture, but just kind of makes the story an awkward one.

[cj52racers]

Makes a great story, but as others have suspected it may not add up the way it reads exactly. I wonder if the kid and his parents were duped into thinking they bought the real thing?

Nice Gesture, But Perry’s Super Bowl Ring Likely a Replica | Sports Collectors Daily (http://www.sportscollectorsdaily.com/nice-gesture-but-perrys-super-bowl-ring-likely-a-replica/)

Starting to look that way. You would think if you are going to let your 10 year old spend just short of 10 grand that you would do some research.

[barob72]

This takes stupidity to a whole new level. Not on the child's part, but the parents. What parents in their right mind (unless ridiculously rich AND die hard Bears' fans) would allow this??? Makes no sense to even try and comprehend. Sort of like allowing your preteen child to sail alone around the world.

[golferphil]

Technically the ring they likely bought is identical to the real thing, just not the one Perry was given and originally owned.

Doesn't take anything away from the gesture, but just kind of makes the story an awkward one.

Yeah, a very nice gesture... I assume the real rings have real diamonds in them - I think the auction stated that the diamonds in the sample ring are not real...

[lemur01]

why in the heck with this kids idiot parents let him spend this kind of money to give a grown man his ring back he sold in the first place?


This takes stupidity to a whole new level. Not on the child's part, but the parents. What parents in their right mind (unless ridiculously rich AND die hard Bears' fans) would allow this??? Makes no sense to even try and comprehend. Sort of like allowing your preteen child to sail alone around the world.

Never under estimate, the predictability of stupidity.

[mwheeler27]

I wonder if this kid and his family are "newcomers to the hobby"?

I like this story and really want to believe it's real and sincere. If it is though, I can't help but think this kid has no idea of the value of money.

[kajshack]

Can't wait for the follow-up story:
"Topps buys replica Super Bowl ring from William Perry to be inserted in new 2011 product 'Rings and Refractors'"

Back of the ring card would read: "This ring is guaranteed to have been possessed at one point by William Perry"

[hreed2]

It's definitely a great gesture but there's no way they bought a real super bowl ring for $8500. It's probably a sample ring, like what was previously pointed out. Those rings are usually worth around $5-9k give or take so that would make sense. If it was in fact the real deal they could've easily pawned the ring and made a quick 10-15K from it. If this it was in fact a sample ring then shame on whoever sold it to them assuming they claimed it to be the real deal.

[chipmaster]

I agree, he sold it once, once going to stop him from selling it again.

+1

I once held a 63 Pirates autographed baseball, with Clemente's auto perfect and on the sweet spot. I was holding it for a friend who had drug problems. He eventually 'seemed' like he cleaned himself up, so I returned the ball to him as a reward. Well, 3-4 years ago I asked his girlfriend where the ball was, and she told me he sold it for $150 to some schmuck in Baltimore.......

I about had a cow.....

[dmogull]

For $8500, I would hope at the very least the sample ring is made out of real gold and not just plated (as we already know the diamonds are "faux").

[ohiomike]

For $8500, I would hope at the very least the sample ring is made out of real gold and not just plated (as we already know the diamonds are "faux").

Its a "salesman sample". Made by the same company, at the same time, with the same specs as the one Perry originally owned and sold.

The $8500 price tag was legit for it was sold as a salesman sample.

The ring that Perry owned sold for $27,000

[CeltsFanatic]

ahhhh, a heart warming story of how a man foolishly sold a one of a kind heirloom that under a few thousand have ever gotten and the boy that foolishly spent the money earmarked for his future to help the schmuck.

I'm really glad the "bailout" mentality of america has reached even the youngest citizens.

[pmannings#1fan]

Nice comments everyone, makes me not want to share another story on here. BTW does everyone remember that saying that goes like this, "it's the thought that counts"? I am also glad that everyone here likes to announce people personal life issues such as alcoholism & bailouts by younger citizens. Let's see who is bailed out tomorrow night, cool:cool:

[ilovethelakings]

Well, the kid still has one of Franco Harris's SB rings, so I doubt he is going to miss the Fridge's ring.

[golferphil]

Nice comments everyone, makes me not want to share another story on here. BTW does everyone remember that saying that goes like this, "it's the thought that counts"? I am also glad that everyone here likes to announce people personal life issues such as alcoholism & bailouts by younger citizens. Let's see who is bailed out tomorrow night, cool:cool:

Don't go getting your knickers in a twist, there pmanning fan. :D The story is nice, but ultimately I would think that most people would agree that using a child's college fund to buy an $8k ring for a grown man is not the greatest of ideas even with the best of intentions.

Now as for the alcohol and bail - will you point me to the thread, that sounds like the beginning of an epic thread! :p

[malraisen]

For those who suggested this a stupid gesture on the parents for allowing the child to do this.....it's about the principle, can't put a price on true kindness and thoughtlessness of a person.

[Grid]

Nice comments everyone, makes me not want to share another story on here. BTW does everyone remember that saying that goes like this, "it's the thought that counts"? I am also glad that everyone here likes to announce people personal life issues such as alcoholism & bailouts by younger citizens. Let's see who is bailed out tomorrow night, cool:cool:

The kid did a nice thing, no one said he didnt. But dont act like he bought the ring to give to Perry, reached out to him with the ring and refused the spotlight.
They bought the ring for themselves. According to the father they have lots of other rings that they bought as investments to keep. The story goes the kid didnt even know who the Fridge was so he looked him up and when he learned of Perry's illness they set out to return it.
The kid and his father are on a media tour now that 8500 in cash couldnt buy. So I say to you this, when you do something great and raise your hand to tell the world "see what I did here" doesnt that tarnish it a little? And what kind of 10 year old kid had 8500 saved up? This family didnt go without to give the fridge back his ring, I'll guarantee you that.
Its still cool to do, but the media spin of a kid taking 8500 of his own money to buy the fridges ring just to give it back to him is wrong. They bought the ring to keep, so I doubt the kid was using his college money to do so. They just ended up giving it to the fridge and got all the attention that deed brought.

[fitch123]

Don't go getting your knickers in a twist, there pmanning fan. :D The story is nice, but ultimately I would think that most people would agree that using a child's college fund to buy an $8k ring for a grown man is not the greatest of ideas even with the best of intentions.

Now as for the alcohol and bail - will you point me to the thread, that sounds like the beginning of an epic thread! :p

+1, I'm sure the parents bought it and made up the college fund story to sell the bit, otherwise this is just kinda ridiculous.

[ManInTheMirror]

No you guys are wrong! Getting a piece of jewelry for an old man you don't even know is way more important than your child's future!!!

[mwheeler27]

The kid did a nice thing, no one said he didnt. But dont act like he bought the ring to give to Perry, reached out to him with the ring and refused the spotlight.
They bought the ring for themselves. According to the father they have lots of other rings that they bought as investments to keep. The story goes the kid didnt even know who the Fridge was so he looked him up and when he learned of Perry's illness they set out to return it.
The kid and his father are on a media tour now that 8500 in cash couldnt buy. So I say to you this, when you do something great and raise your hand to tell the world "see what I did here" doesnt that tarnish it a little? And what kind of 10 year old kid had 8500 saved up? This family didnt go without to give the fridge back his ring, I'll guarantee you that.
Its still cool to do, but the media spin of a kid taking 8500 of his own money to buy the fridges ring just to give it back to him is wrong. They bought the ring to keep, so I doubt the kid was using his college money to do so. They just ended up giving it to the fridge and got all the attention that deed brought.

I agree with this.

If I you were Perry, would you be embarrassed that a 10 year old kid used $8500 in college money to return your ring that you sold in the first place? Would you feel guilty only signing a couple jerseys and a few pictures or cards for him? I know I would.

[golferphil]

I agree with this.

If I you were Perry, would you be embarrassed that a 10 year old kid used $8500 in college money to return your ring that you sold in the first place? Would you feel guilty only signing a couple jerseys and a few pictures or cards for him? I know I would.

Agreed. Not that Perry did anything wrong, but if I were him I would be embarrassed about the whole situation.

[ColtsCrush86]

No you guys are wrong! Getting a piece of jewelry for an old man you don't even know is way more important than your child's future!!!

LOL how true!