The iconic Super Bowl XLII championship ring, once owned by the legendary New York Giants wide receiver Plaxico Burress, has made headlines by officially selling at auction.

On Sunday, Heritage Auctions announced the impressive sale price of $280,600 for this championship ring, marking it as one of the most significant transactions in sports memorabilia history. This sale ranks as the second-highest amount ever paid for a Super Bowl ring, only surpassed by the Super Bowl V ring of Baltimore Colts head coach Don McCafferty, which sold for a remarkable $300,000 in 2022.

The ring was auctioned off by an anonymous seller in February and came with a letter of authenticity personally signed by Burress. This letter serves as a testament to the ring’s provenance, ensuring that collectors and fans alike recognize its true value.

In the authenticity letter, Burress states, “I, Plaxico Burress, certify this Super Bowl Championship ring, a copy of which is pictured below along with the ring box (on page two), is the actual, authentic ring I received on May 29, 2008, at a private ceremony held with my New York Giants teammates at Tiffany and Co. in New York City.” He further elaborates, “I received this actual ring as a member of the New York Giants who won Super Bowl XLII held February 3, 2008, against the New England Patriots in Phoenix, AZ.”

Burress emphasizes the uniqueness of the ring, stating, “I further certify this ring is the one and only ring and that no duplicate copies were produced.” The date noted on the authentication letter suggests that Burress decided to sell the ring in November (11/16/24), which adds an interesting layer to its story.

Currently, Burress is making a name for himself as a host on FOX Sports Radio. However, his post-Super Bowl XLII life has been tumultuous, marked by various legal challenges and financial difficulties, including a serious incident in 2008 when he accidentally shot himself, resulting in a 20-month prison sentence.

A first-round draft pick by the Pittsburgh Steelers in the 2000 NFL Draft, Burress concluded his professional football career following the 2013 season, leaving behind a complicated legacy intertwined with triumph and adversity.