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The History Behind Iconic Sports Trophies and Rings

The History Behind Iconic Sports Trophies and Rings
The History Behind Iconic Sports Trophies and Rings

From their youth, millions of athletes around the world have eaten, breathed, and slept with one goal in mind: win the trophy. Go for the gold. Set a record. Break a record. Become unbreakable. 

Just like the cold, hard gold medals, trophies, and rings that every sports fan pictures when they cross the tape, score a goal, or set a new, near-impossible-to-beat standard.

Today, we’re turning back the pages of hallowed sports history, reviewing some of the industry’s most iconic sports accomplishments, trophies, and rings. Read on to learn more and get inspired.  

Where Did The Tradition of Sports Trophies Begin? 

To fully understand the weight that awards, trophies and rings carry in the sports space, we have to go back through ancient history to 776 B.C. — the time of the first-ever Grecian Olympics. Athletes who excelled in their categories were awarded a wreath woven from laurel leaves. 

Trophies That Defined Sports History: A Timeline

Although trophies today look much different than laurel wreaths, the meaning is the same. Honor and support for an athlete’s undivided dedication and prowess, setting them apart from other competitors in their respective class.

In today’s day, teams of all types get trophies to celebrate a successful end to a sports season. However, there was a time in history when trophies were reserved for only the best, highest-performing teams across leagues. 

Here’s a look at some of the most iconic awards and trophies given throughout sports history. 

The First Stanley Cup (1892) 

The first ever Stanley Cup was awarded during the 1892-1893 sports season, and was donated by Canada’s Frederick Arthur, Lord Stanley of Preston — the person who the Stanley Cup was named. It currently sits as the oldest trophy that teams in North America can win to date. 

The first-ever team to win the Stanley Cup was the Montreal Amateur Athletic Association, a Canadian-based amateur sports group. This opened the door for Canadian (and soon-to-be American) team wins, garnering great competition across the continent. 

The award then became the property of the National Hockey League in 1926, and still holds that title — even today. 

The First-Ever World Series Rings (1922) 

Baseball has always been a celebrated sport in the States. So much so, in fact, that players have been receiving awards and memorabilia for over a century. Prior to the first World Series rings given in 1922, World Series winners would walk away with engraved jewelry, watches, or other physical awards for their performance in the event. This practice shifted, however, after the New York Giants defeated the New York Yankees in the 1922 World Cup. 

Following their win, the team had chosen rings instead of the award options of teams past — opting for 14-karat gold settings with a single diamond gem in the center. The rings were engraved with “Giants World Champions 1922,” as a nod to their victory and an eternal memory of their finest performance yet. 

Little did the team know, they would soon set the standard for customized, engraved sports rings for the next century (and beyond) — establishing a classic design that many sports fans (and non-sports fans) appreciate like the ones from signaturechampionrings.com.  

The Lombardi Trophy (1967)

The history of American football began in 1869, starting with a heated game between today’s Princeton University and Rutgers University. Despite this historic start, however, the Lombardi Trophy didn’t arrive on the scene until 1967, when the Green Bay Packers beat the Kansas City Chiefs in Super Bowl I.

Historians note that the trophy was originated by 1966 NFL commissioner Pete Rozelle and Tiffany & Co. VP Oscar Riedener over a lunch meeting. The morning of, Riedner had been formulating design ideas with cereal boxes and bits of scrap from his home. He then took the idea to Rozelle at a working lunch, drawing rough trophy dimensions on a cocktail napkin. The trophy was then commissioned, awarded, and hailed as the historic Super Bowl trophy — and continues to be the trophy design of choice for all Super Bowl winners to date.  

A Closing Note: Trophies And Rings Matter To Today’s Teams, Too 

Celebration shouldn’t be reserved for high-performing, senior teams. Instead, teams of all levels deserve the tangible reminder of their hard work, dedication, and team success for that season. These historic trophies and rings have laid the groundwork for today’s culture of recognition and honor for teams at all levels, perpetuating their enthusiasm and participation for years to come. 

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) 

Below are some frequently asked questions about historic trophies and rings: 

What Is the Most Expensive Trophy in Sports?

The most expensive trophy in sports is often considered to be the FIFA World Cup Trophy, valued at approximately $20 million. Made of 18-carat gold and weighing about 6.1 kg (13.5 lbs), it is awarded to the winning team of the FIFA World Cup.

Who Makes the Super Bowl Trophy Every Year? 

Yes, Tiffany & Co. is responsible for making the Super Bowl trophy each year out of their workshop in Cumberland, Rhode Island. The trophy is handcrafted by Tiffany & Co. artisans, and is then transported for presentation to the winners of that year’s Super Bowl. 

What Is The Oldest Major Trophy To Date? 

Historians believe that the oldest formal trophy presented is the Carlisle Bell — a famous trophy presented to winners of the Carlisle Bell horse race in 1599, during the reign of Queen Elizabeth I. 

How Do Teams Decide What Type of Trophy to Award?

The decision on trophy design often reflects the tradition of the sport, input from stakeholders (like players and fans), and the identity of the organization. The goal is to create an award that embodies the spirit of competition and achievement.

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