The first Super Bowl LIX ring to hit the auction block has officially found a new home - and a hefty price tag to go with it. The ring sold for $124,440, and while that number might raise eyebrows, the story behind it is just as compelling.
The ring belonged to Laekin Vakalahi, a 22-year-old from Auckland, New Zealand, who spent last season on the Philadelphia Eagles' practice squad. Vakalahi never played a snap in an NFL game, but like every member of the organization during their championship run, he was awarded a Super Bowl ring - a symbol of being part of something bigger than the stat sheet.
Weeks after his wedding in Utah, Vakalahi put the ring up for auction. He didn't publicly say the sale was tied to wedding expenses, but it’s hard not to connect the dots.
In a heartfelt post, he wrote: *“Sealed to my sweetheart for time and all eternity. What a blessing.”
- That’s the kind of sentiment that speaks volumes without spelling everything out.
Vakalahi’s journey to the NFL is anything but conventional. Raised in Melbourne, Australia, he initially pursued basketball before a chance encounter changed everything.
Former NFL offensive lineman Chris Naeole, working as an international scout for the Eagles at the time, saw something in the 6-foot-5 athlete. That meeting opened the door to a spot on Philly’s practice squad - a rare leap from junior rugby and hoops to the NFL grind.
But like so many fringe players trying to break through, Vakalahi’s NFL stint was short-lived. He was waived during final roster cuts in August and hasn’t been on a roster since. That’s the harsh reality of the league - for every star who hoists the Lombardi, there are dozens of guys grinding in the shadows, helping teams prepare week in and week out, often without ever stepping onto the field on Sundays.
Still, being part of a Super Bowl-winning team is a moment that never fades - even if the ring that commemorates it eventually changes hands.
Vakalahi’s decision to sell his ring sparked mixed reactions online. Some fans questioned why he’d part with such a meaningful keepsake, but others applauded the move.
One fan summed it up bluntly: *“He did the right thing selling it. What does the ring mean to him?”
It’s a fair question. For a player who never played a down and whose NFL future remains uncertain, the ring may have represented more of a financial opportunity than a personal milestone. And he’s far from the first to go this route.
NFL veterans like Rocky Bleier, Plaxico Burress, and Josh Gordon have all sold their Super Bowl rings - some due to financial hardship, others for personal reasons. The ring might be a symbol of greatness, but it’s also a tangible asset, and sometimes, life demands hard choices.
As for the ring itself? With its connection to a global journey, a championship team, and a unique backstory, some collectors believe its value could rise over time. But for Vakalahi, it seems the real treasure is what he’s building off the field - a new chapter, a new family, and a future beyond football.
In the end, not every NFL story ends with a Hall of Fame speech or a highlight reel. Some are quieter, more personal - and just as powerful.