Some time around 9 p.m., it became evident that things had gotten out of control.
Not in a bad way, mind you, just in the sense that it was probably never realistic that a party full of NFL players celebrating the biggest accomplishment of their professional lives was going to stay on schedule.
More than an hour after dinner was supposed to be finished and players and coaches were supposed to have received their rings, players were scattered among two different party areas set up in a Boeing hangar, socializing, having drinks and just enjoying each other’s company.
These players, who frequently cited their closeness as the team’s secret ingredient during its Super Bowl run, were having far too much fun together to worry about a schedule, or the poor souls trying to stick to one.
Finally, after much cajoling from the event’s emcee and staff members, everyone returned to their table as a five-minute countdown appeared on a huge screen in the front of the room. Only there was still music playing, so players ended up on the stage dancing through the countdown, which meant they weren’t at their seats for the ring reveal. Alas, the clock was reset to three minutes, and finally, nearly 90 minutes later than planned, the rings began descending from light fixtures on the ceiling to the players, coaches and support staff at their seats.
The rings, designed by renowned jeweler Jason of Beverly Hills, were not only the largest Super Bowl rings ever made, they were spectacular and full of unique features, and the reactions of players showed how impressive these rings were. There were huge grins, shouts of joy and even a few tears shed as players saw the sparkling, diamond-covered symbol of their championship season.
“As a jeweler, as someone who does championship rings—this is my 26th championship ring program—there is no greater reward than seeing the eyes and the facial expression on these players as they open their box for the first time,” said Jason Arasheben, the founder of Jason of Beverly Hills. “None of these players have seen the ring, so for me to take a step back, watch their jaws drop, watch their eyes widen as they open up the box and see the ring for the first time, that is the reward that I’ve worked so hard for.”
Before the rings were presented, and before the many, many attempts to get all the players back in their seats, Seahawks coach Mike Macdonald, president of football operations and general manager John Schneider and president Chuck Arnold all said a few words to the crowd.
Arnold kicked things off, saying, “Good evening, everybody, or should I say, Super Bowl champions!”
After thanking Boeing for hosting the event and El Gaucho for catering it, Arnold went on to shout out the team’s hospitality staff, which organized the event, as well as Jason of Beverly Hills for creating, “the most amazing, and biggest, Super Bowl ring.”
Arnold then made the first of several mentions to Seahawks Chair Jody Allen, who as the trustee of her late brother, Paul Allen’s estate, is currently leading the process of selling the team.
“I want to give a really special thank you to Jody, for your leadership, for your support, and most importantly, for always, always, always pushing us forward,” Arnold said. “Thank you, you’ve made a huge impact on all of us, and we can’t thank you enough for that.”
Next, Schneider took the microphone wearing a T-shirt with an image of Paul Allen on it under his suit jacket.
“None of this would be in this room if it wasn’t for Paul Allen. Paul Allen, Jody’s brother, saved the team from going to Los Angeles, keeping it in Seattle, and none of us would be in this room if that didn’t happen, so thank God for Paul Allen,” Schneider said. “Jody Allen, thank you Jody, it had to be so hard, your brother passes, you come in, it’s a smooth transition, we kept doing what we’re doing, a consistent, championship caliber football team, and you supported us the whole time. It’s great we’re celebrating tonight, but quite honestly, it’s kind of sad. We love you. To Jody Allen.”