CANTON, Ohio — The Pro Football Hall of Fame and KAY Jewelers announced today at the annual Merlin Olsen Super Bowl Luncheon in Phoenix that KAY will provide a Hall of Fame Ring of Excellence to all enshrinees moving forward, including those elected posthumously.
The Hall of Fame recently announced a revision to its policy regarding the presentation of a Ring of Excellence to enshrinees elected posthumously. Previously, the Hall only issued a ring – one of three iconic symbols of membership in the sport of pro football’s most exclusive club – to individuals alive at the time of enshrinement with their class.
Under the new policy, those members of the Pro Football Hall of Fame elected posthumously who will receive a ring are those who are survived by a spouse, an adult child, or a parent. The policy will also consider instances where a court decree designates another family member as the legal representative of the deceased enshrinee.
Jamie Singleton, Group President, and Chief Consumer Officer at Signet Jewelers said, “True to our purpose of Inspiring Love, KAY celebrates each of the Pro Football Hall of Fame enshrinees and the love they’ve inspired in the game and the impact they’ve made on the lives of those around them. We are proud to share the KAY Jewelers’ Ring of Excellence with their loved ones to honor their legacy.”
Hall President Jim Porter thanked KAY Jewelers for expanding the ring presentations to all enshrinees in the Class of 2023 and beyond, while also delivering these special symbols of excellence to several enshrinees from past classes. He said, “This welcomes all electees fully into the Hall of Fame Family with a ring, Bronzed Bust, and Gold Jacket.”
The first recipient of a Hall of Fame Ring of Excellence under the revised policy was CLIFF BRANCH, a Raiders legend and member of the Class of 2022 who passed away in 2019. His sister, Elaine Anderson, accepted his ring during a special halftime ceremony on December 4, 2022, at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas.
The Hall of Fame will announce a list of other players, coaches, and contributors who were deceased at the time of election and will receive rings once the new policy is finalized.
