Ray Guy's three Super Bowl rings sold for big money Tuesday night. And for good reason, according to Nate D. Sanders auction house publicist Sam Heller.
"He's a legend," Heller said. "He's the most decorated punter in NFL history."
Guy, a standout athlete at Thomson High School and Southern Mississippi University, recently filed for bankruptcy and was ordered by a judge to sell his rings. Guy, a member of the Oakland and Los Angeles Raiders' championship teams in 1977, 1981 and 1984, saw his rings sell for $96,216.
Heller said the buyer wanted to remain private. He added the buyer could either be a Raiders fan or an investor looking to turn a profit, especially if Guy ever makes the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
According to Sports Collectors Daily , the Super Bowl rings, which came with a letter of authenticity from Guy, were expected to sell for between $75,000 and $90,000. The rings easily met the reserve of $72,000.
Guy joined his alma mater, Southern Mississippi, in 2007 and works at the school managing and directing the daily operations of the M-Club Alumni Association, including its membership recruitment initiatives, according to Southern Mississippi's Web site.
In 14 NFL seasons, Guy was a seven-time All-Pro, and he was named to the NFL's 75th anniversary team as the punter. He hasn't been elected yet to the Pro Football Hall of Fame, but Guy is in the Georgia and Mississippi halls of fame, the National High School Sports Hall of Fame and the College Football Hall of Fame.
At least he has a job and is doing what he has to do to recover. He could write a book about how this all happened and make a little more. May he be blessed with a financial recovery and prosper in the future.
He is one of the nicest people you will ever meet. I certaily hope he recovers from this hardship.
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