By Teresa Varley
Steelers.com
The Super Bowl excitement returned for the Steelers when the players and coaches received their rings on Tuesday night.
The impressive ring, which has a diamond representing each of the team's six Super Bowl Championships, was an immediate hit with the players as they were handed out.
"It's very exciting to get another ring," said linebacker James Farrior. "This is even better than the first. It's a lot bigger, a lot more diamonds. Everybody loves it.
"We have six big diamonds, three on either side. We have the logo in the middle and there are diamonds under the logo. Our names are on the side with more diamonds. We have diamonds on the other side. It's a lot of diamonds."
Some joked about having to wear sunglasses while wearing the shiny ring, but they don't mind that one bit.
"It's a true bling, bling ring," said wide receiver Hines Ward. "Mr. Rooney went out and really wanted to have something special being we are the first team to win six championships. The guys are really happy with the ring."
The Super Bowl XLIII ring was designed and made by Jostens working with Dan Rooney and Art Rooney, II. The designs were also shown to Farrior, Ward, Ben Roethlisberger and James Harrison for their input before a final decision was made.
"It was exciting to be one of the first ones to get to look at the rings and be able to help pick it out for the whole group," said Farrior. "It was exciting and special for all of us who helped do that."
And that excitement came to a peak as the players one by one were handed their rings, trying them on and mugging for the camera.
"This ring solidifies the reflection of a great year, a lot of great players, coaches and staff coming together for one goal to win the Super Bowl," said Ward. "Having the ring, you can always reflect back on that year, all of the faces of the guys who put in all of that time and energy to help us get to where we wanted to go. It caps off a great year.
"This is my second one in four years. That is what it is all about. It's all of the hard work we put into it. When you see it on the ring they can't take it away from you."
