Spygate Cameraman Selling his Super Bowl Ring
By Ernie Padaon
January 19, 2014; Denver, CO, USA; New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick pushes photographer Damian Strohmeyer following the 26-16 loss to the Denver Broncos in the 2013 AFC Championship football game at Sports Authority Field at Mile High. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports
Remember Spygate? Remember that time? New England Patriots fans want to put that memory in the past, but it might come back to light again.
Back in 2007, Matt Estrella was caught filming the New York Jets defensive coaches for the New England Patriots. His actions and him getting caught led to the whole Spygate scandal in New England. Bill Belichick was fined $500,000 and the team was fined $250,000 for their actions.
Now, Estrella seems to be selling a nice piece of memorabilia from that season: the Super Bowl ring that he received from that season. It is up for auction on Goldin Auctions and currently has a bid of $5,704.
What could a New York Jets fan do with this ring?
Here is the description for the ring on the site:
The New England Patriots beat the Philadelphia Eagles 24-21 in a thrilling Super Bowl XXXIX. The team was presented with enormous rings, similar to this one presented to a member of the Patriots front office. This ring contains CZ faux diamonds, but still remains a magnificent and beautiful ring. The top features the Patriots red and blue emblem with three Lombardi trophies, with raised relief “WORLD” on top with “CHAMPIONS” on bottom. One shank has the name “ESTRELLA” with “3 OUT OF 4”, the Patriots logo, the three years “01 03 04” which they won Super Bowls, and the term “21 STRAIGHT.” The other side has “BACK TO BACK World’s Champions 2004” with the Super Bowl insignia plus the teams and score. Inside this 48.64 gram/size 9.5 ring is engraved “C JOSTEN’S LTM”. While this ring is NOT the exact same size and style the players received, in does include the original presentation box, and LOA from the original owner. This ring remains in Near Mint condition. The ring is of a special historic nature, as it was given to Matt Estrella, who was famously the scapegoat in the videotaping “spygate” affair.
H/T NESN