National Football League

Alworth Super Bowl ring found

Published Oct. 29, 2013 1:00 a.m. ET

foxsports

NFL Hall of Famer Lance Alworth got his Super Bowl ring back Tuesday -- 21 years after it was stolen.

The former wide receiver for the San Diego Chargers and the Dallas Cowboys contacted authorities after receiving a phone call Sept.7 from a caller demanding $40,000 for the ring.

The San Diego County Sheriff's Department discovered the ring was scheduled to be sold Nov. 20 at an auction house in Laguna Niguel with an opening bid of $44,000.

The ring was stolen in 1992 from a now-defunct San Diego restaurant, where it was part of a display of sports memorabilia.

"It's a miracle to have it back after all these years," a smiling Alworth said at a news conference, where he showed off the ring.

No arrests have been made, but sheriff's officials said Tuesday that they are focusing on at least two people.

Alworth was awarded the ring after Super Bowl VI in which the Dallas Cowboys beat the Miami Dolphins, 24-3, in New Orleans in 1972. Alworth caught two passes and a touchdown in the game. He was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1978.