Six months after their Grey Cup win, the Ottawa Redblacks finally received their championship rings. Well, those still on the roster from last year’s championship anyways.
In a private ceremony that took place at the Canadian Museum of History, Ottawa’s stunning Grey Cup rings were finally revealed.
Designed by a committee of players that included Henry Burris, Jon Gott and Moton Hopkins, the rings feature 130 diamonds and 76 grams of 10-karat gold.
Like everything Redblacks, the iconic R that carries so much meaning in the nation’s capital is front and centre. One side of the ring features the player’s name, number and the phrase “We R Family”. The other, Parliament Hill’s Centre Block, the Grey Cup trophy, and the wooden veil that shades the South Side of TD Place.
This team.
These rings.#GreyCup Champs forever.#RNation #CFL pic.twitter.com/XgacOIlL0F— Ottawa REDBLACKS (@REDBLACKS) May 26, 2017
Finally got my 3rd #GreyCup ring ! Go @REDBLACKS pic.twitter.com/P2TMogO1tE
— Jean-Marc Edme (@jmedme) May 27, 2017
Inside the ring, the scores of both Redblack playoff wins (over the Eskimos and Stampeders) are engraved, along with the Redblacks’ logo, the Grey Cup date, and a nod to Henry Burris’ MVP performance.
#ThanksHank pic.twitter.com/TjQi2aTwAQ
— BIG JOE (@BigJoeGrandJos) May 27, 2017
From all accounts it was a great evening, but the timing of the ceremony is a bit strange.
By waiting nearly six months after their November win to have the ceremony, numerous players were not able to be in attendance, including many who played large roles in securing Ottawa’s first championship win in 40 years. Not present were marque names like Henry Burris, Ernest Jackson, Abdul Kanneh and numerous other starters who’ve since moved on. Not to mention current free agents such as Jamill Smith.
Naw I'm not in ottawa didn't hear anything about it ????
— Jamill Amin Smith Sr (@Millz2BeMade) May 27, 2017
While perhaps understandable that those players now on other CFL rosters weren’t present, not even bothering to invite those without a team is a little strange. Why not hold the ceremony long before the eve of training camps around the league to avoid a scheduling conflict?
Though it would have likely been an extra expense for OSEG, surely it would’ve been a justifiable cost to properly honour the first championship team in franchise history.
Regardless, with veterans set to hit the field on Sunday morning, the Redblacks organization must put last season fully behind them, and focus completely on earning the next ring.