Motivational jewels: Crennel shows off Super Bowl ring to Browns
June 14, 2005
AP
http://www.sportsline.com/nfl/story/8562239/1
BEREA, Ohio (AP) When Romeo Crennel walked into the team meeting to open minicamp, the Cleveland Browns noticed right away there was something different about their first-year coach.
He hadn't lost any weight. In fact, Crennel was at least four ounces heavier.
"I saw those diamonds sparkling," said linebacker Kenard Lang, still awed by the sight Monday of Crennel's newest Super Bowl ring. "Those diamonds hit me in the eyes from all the way in the back of the room. I thought, I got to get me one."
Crennel's blinding bling-bling came courtesy of the 4.06-ounce, 4.94-carat ring that he and other members of the New England Patriots received Sunday night in a ceremony at the Brookline, Mass., mansion of owner Robert Kraft.
The 14-karat white gold ring that was awarded to Crennel features 124 diamonds and costs more than $15,000. But for the Browns, the significance of Crennel's jewelry isn't in its price tag.
"When you see that," Lang said, lifting an empty ring finger, "and you see him, you know that man knows something about winning. You play football for two reasons: for the love of the game and a Super Bowl ring."
Said quarterback Trent Dilfer: "It reminds you of the prize you're playing for and what it takes to win one."
Crennel can fill up one hand with the five Super Bowl rings he has won - three with New England and two that he earned as an assistant with the New York Giants. But after his inspirational show-and-tell, Crennel took off his ring and said it would soon join four others in a safety deposit box.
"I might wear it from time to time," he said. "Special occasions."
Crennel's new objective is to get his sixth ring - and a first one for Cleveland.
"You know in this business what happens," he said. "Last year is last year, it's what have you done for me lately? We're trying to do something here and develop an attitude and a winning team. The rings are nice because you're able to accomplish it and feel good about that, but now there's a new challenge. It's just like all those players who have rings. They have a new challenge this year. Those rings aren't winning any games for them this year."
In addition to overhauling the Browns' roster, Crennel has been trying to change the culture around a Cleveland team that has been ravaged by injuries and made just one playoff appearance since 1999.
But rhetoric is one thing. It's results that matter. In showing off his ring, Crennel took another step in making his players believe they can win.
"I saw the sparkle when we came in the room," tight end Aaron Shea said. "That's motivation right there. I won a national championship ring in college and I want a Super Bowl ring in the worst way."
Crennel was joined at Sunday night's ring ceremony by Browns offensive lineman Joe Andruzzi, linebacker Justin Kurpeikis, offensive line coach Jeff Davidson and defensive assistant Cory Undlin. All were with the Patriots last season.
For Andruzzi, getting a third Super Bowl ring was as charmed as his first.
"This one is the biggest, by far," he said. "But not only is this nice and big, it exemplifies more. It's about the hard work you have to put in to be a champion. That's what we're trying to do here."
Unlike Crennel, Andruzzi didn't get a chance to bring back the ring to show his new teammates.
"No," he said with a laugh. "My wife took it."
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