"In an unreservedly delicious moment, the 2009 New Orleans Saints gathered as a team for perhaps the last time Wednesday night, walking the red carpet to the Roosevelt Hotel and heading inside for a private ceremony to receive Super Bowl XLIV championship rings. The Tiffany pieces, glittering with diamonds and yellow gold, were remarkably valuable in and of themselves -- no one would offer a precise appraisal, although some estimates ran to $30,000 a pop -- but quarterback Drew Brees said they were more priceless than a Faberge egg. "It symbolizes not just this year, but the culmination of four years of ups and downs," Brees said. "A lot of work and a lot of struggle, but we found a way to become world champions -- and it was never about just one person or even just the team. It was about our city and the community." Still, from a player and team standpoint, it's not too shabby, Brees said. It seemed impossible the ring could hold so many iconic images of New Orleans, and Brees said some of the touches might resonate only with a Saints insider. "It's absolutely perfect," he said. A small crowd gathered on University Place as the Saints trickled in, shouting encouragement to familiar players like tight end Jeremy Shockey and safety Darren Sharper and big roars for Brees, Coach Sean Payton and owner Tom Benson." http://www.nola.com/saints/index.ssf/2010/06/2009_new_orleans_saints_awarde.html
