In the wake of the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks on America, Super Bowl XXXVI took place at the Louisiana Superdome in New Orleans with a crowd of almost 73,000 amidst intense security. Former President George H.W. Bush conducted the coin toss, the first president to ever do so in person. The game saw the New England Patriots shock football fans everywhere by defeating the heavily favored St. Louis Rams, 20-17, to take home their first Super Bowl victory. With the game tied with a minute and thirty seconds left in the fourth quarter, Tom Brady deftly led the Pats on a 53-yard drive and into field goal range. With seven seconds left on the clock, Adam Vinatieri kicked a 48-yard field goal to give the Pats the victory, 20-17. It was the first time a Super Bowl had ever been won with a team scoring on the last play of the game. Brady completed 16 of 27 passes for 145 yards, scored one touchdown and was named the game’s MVP.
The offered 14-karat white gold ring was produced by Jostens and presented to longtime NFL executive, Bucko Kilroy. An early gridiron lineman for the Philadelphia Eagles (1943-55), Kilroy went into coaching and scouting for the Eagles, Redskins and Cowboys where he was instrumental in drafting Roger Staubach in spite of his military obligations. He's been credited as one of the founders of the modern-day NFL Draft and helped the Super Bowl grow into the mammoth event that it is today. He spent almost four decades with the Patriots (1971-2006) and served as General Manager and Vice President during the 1980's when New England made its first Super Bowl appearance. Many of the key players who formed the early components of the current Pats dynasty under owner Bob Kraft and head coach Bill Belichick were drafted under Bucko's watch. Kilroy passed away in 2007.
The ring contains 42 diamonds denoting the franchise’s 42nd anniversary. The side of the bezel has a football shaped diamond on either side representing the Pats’ two previous Super Bowl appearances. The top of the ring features a platinum NFL trophy embellished with a large marquis shaped diamond and two tapered baguette diamonds. The name "Kilroy" appears on the left side of the ring. The platinum Patriots helmet is positioned onto the American flag, along with "14-5" the season record. The right side of the ring contains the year 2001, a platinum NFL trophy with a marquis cut diamond. The Super Bowl XXXVI logo and the inscription "PTA 20-RAMS 17", and a sculpted image of Foxboro stadium is featured above a “USA” banner. Size: 16. Weight: 74 grams. Comes with original presentation box.