Giants ownership, front office and the three team captains all had input on the design of their Super Bowl XLVI championship rings. Tom Coughlin, the very proud head coach, offered only one suggestion that he really wanted to see inscribed.
“I’ve been in all the meetings,’’ Coughlin said last night at the 19th annual Gridiron Gala at the Waldorf-Astoria, where Giants guard Chris Snee was among the honorees. “I think the players and the others had their statements based on the last one and what we thought would improve from the last time. They asked me, [and] I said I would like one thing on there: ‘World Champions.’ ’’
Coughlin got his wish, and, along with the entire organization, he gets to bask in the afterglow tonight when the Giants at long last get their championship rings at a ceremony at Tiffany’s flagship store on Fifth Avenue.
“It will be exciting for everybody, no doubt,’’ Coughlin said. “That’s the symbol, you know? In your heart it’s already been established. I look forward to it, I think it’s going to be very festive. Let’s face it, now it’s twice in a lifetime. It’s a wonderful thing to do it again.’’
A sneak preview of the ring was posted last month on Twitter by linebacker Clint Sintim and another yesterday by punter Steve Weatherford. The prize hardware is a 14k white gold 30 MM ring with surrounding diamonds, sapphire band (to represent Giants’ blue) and diamond footballs.
“Big and obnoxious, that’s always the goal,’’ joked guard Kevin Boothe.
“Yes, I’ve seen it and I’m excited to put it next to my other one,’’ said Snee, who received the Hometown Hero award from the United Way of New York. “This one is just as special, just got a little more color in it, that’s all.’’
Coughlin will be pleased to see that the wording “New York Giants 2011 World Champions’’ surrounds the entire ring.
The total carat weight is 1.36 in diamonds and 1.11 in sapphires. The top of the ring features the four Lombardi Trophies the Giants have won in their franchise history and also the famous “NY” team logo. On one side of the ring is the player’s name and uniform number, and on the other side is the word “Giants’’ along with the 21-17 score of Super Bowl XLVI, the Giants’ second defeat of the Patriots in four years.
The ring was designed with input from co-owners John Mara and Steve Tisch, general manager Jerry Reese, Coughlin and team captains Eli Manning, Justin Tuck and Zak DeOssie as well as representatives from Tiffany’s.
“I haven’t asked Eli, and I think he was one of the ones who got it put together,’’ wide receiver Hakeem Nicks said. “I didn’t even ask him. I wanted to be surprised. It’s going to mean a lot. It’s something I’ll always cherish and keep. I’ll be able to tell my kids’ kids about it.’’
Coughlin is hoping some of the players who were part of the championship team who are no longer on the roster will find their way to the ring ceremony.
“I wouldn’t be surprised if Aaron Ross came back,’’ Coughlin said. “Be nice to see Aaron. I hope Kareem [McKenzie] does, absolutely. Who knows? [Brandon] Jacobs might show.’’
This year’s ring is smaller in terms of carats in diamond than the 2007 version, which former Giants defensive end Michael Strahan described as a “10-table stunner’’ because it could be seen from 10 tables away. That ring featured 1.5 carats in diamonds. Four years ago, the Giants’ ring was valued at $25,000, though the team said the rings cost about $5,500 apiece.