National Football League

Police return championship ring to Art Donovan

Published Aug. 23, 2011 1:42 p.m. ET

foxsports

Former Baltimore Colts player Art Donovan has his 1958 NFL world championship ring back, more than 30 years after it was stolen.

Police in Howard County, Md., said Tuesday they retrieved the ring and returned it to the hall of fame defensive tackle.

Police received a tip the ring was being sold on Craigslist for $20,000 by an Elkridge seller. Detectives contacted Donovan about the ring, which was stolen during a 1977 Japan trip, then posed as buyers and met with the seller.

They advised the seller the ring with Donovan's engraved name and jersey number 70 was believed to be stolen.

The seller won't be charged. Police say the ring had been purchased years ago from a sports memorabilia dealer in what was believed to be a legitimate transaction.