Hall of Fame receiver Lance Alworth had his Super Bowl ring stolen from a San Diego restaurant in 1992.
The ring was missing for the last 21 years until being returned to Alworth on Tuesday.
According to the Associated Press, Alworth contacted authorities after getting a call in September from someone demanding $40,000 for the return of the ring. The San Diego County Sherriff’s Department found the ring was set to be auctioned off in November.
The ring had been on display as part of a sports memorabilia collection at a now-defunct San Diego restaurant when it was stolen. The ring eventually made its way to a couple who were given the ring as collateral on a loan. They then put the ring up for auction before it was discovered to be stolen.
Alworth won the ring as a member of the Dallas Cowboys in 1972 after their 24-3 victory over the Miami Dolphins in Super Bowl VI.