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The first Super Bowl LIX ring to hit the auction block has fetched an impressive $124,440, as reported by Darren Rovell from CLLCT.
This ring was originally owned by Laekin Vakalahi, a 22-year-old native of Auckland, New Zealand, who was part of the Eagles’ practice squad last season. Although Vakalahi, a former junior rugby league player, never played in an official NFL game, he was awarded a Super Bowl ring. He decided to sell it shortly after his wedding in Utah.
Vakalahi shared his joy online, stating, “Sealed to my sweetheart for time and all eternity. What a blessing.”
Raised in Melbourne, Australia, Vakalahi initially pursued basketball. However, his path took a turn when he had a chance encounter with Chris Naeole, a former NFL offensive guard and scout for the Eagles. This meeting led to Vakalahi’s stint on Philadelphia’s practice squad.
Vakalahi grew up in Melbourne, Australia, where he played basketball. But the 6ft5 athlete had a chance meeting with former NFL offensive guard Chris Naeole, who was working as an international scout for the Eagles, and parlayed that into a season on Philadelphia’s practice squad.
Unfortunately for Vakalahi, he has been out of the NFL since being waived during final roster cuts in August.
Vakalahi has not specifically stated he sold his Super Bowl ring to pay for his wedding, but he wouldn’t be the first player to choose a payday of a championship keepsake.
Laekin Vakalahi is a 22-year-old New Zealand native who was on the Eagles’ practice squad
Laekin Vakalahi holds up his Super Bowl ring alongside his now-wife, SarahÂ
The Eagles received their second Super Bowl ring following February’s win over the ChiefsÂ
Pittsburgh Steelers great Rocky Bleier is among several former players to sell his Super Bowl ring due to financial difficulties. Since then, Plaxico Burress sold the Super Bowl ring he won with the New York Giants while oft-suspended receiver Josh Gordon also auctioned off the ring he received with the New England Patriots.
While some fans online felt Vakalahi should have held onto the ring, many others supported his decision.
‘He did the right thing selling it,’ one fan wrote on X. ‘What does the ring mean to him?’
Another more speculative fan sees the ring spiking in value.
‘It’s gonna be worth way more after this,’ they wrote.