New York Giants Super Bowl rings were stolen by jealous Patriots fan

A jewel thief who stole some 2008 Giants Super Bowl rings apparently had a non-financial motive.

A jewelry store in Mass. was burglarized in June of 2008, marking one of the greatest sports-related heists in recent memory, with several New York Giants Super Bowl rings falling into the wrong hands. At the time, the Attleboro police chief was quote saying that the thief clearly “knew what they were doing.” Years later, we know why the plot was so well thought out.

Such a crime had to be related to NFL fandom all along. Only football can drive a criminal to such specific, petty jealousy to target the one detractor from the New England Patriots dynasty.

Yes, a New England Patriots fan stole the Giants Super Bowl rings.

Sean Murphy, an avid Patriots fan, stole the Giants rings, deeming their Super Bowl win “lucky,” and deeming that they “don’t deserve them.” Rather than simply waiting a few years for the Patriots to right their wrongs by adding several Lombardi’s to their trophy case, Murphy took matters into his own hands.

Unlike David Tyree’s incredible helmet catch to set up the game-winning touchdown in Super Bowl XLII, Murphy failed to hold onto his newfound treasure, instead advertising to his friends and family that he’d pulled off one of the greatest heists in sports memorabilia history. Eventually, upon gifting one of the rings to one of his friends, the police came knocking and arrested Murphy on the spot.

Murphy’s been in jail ever since, facing the obvious thievery charges as well as an attempt to steal money from an armed Brinks truck. He’s only recently come forward to reveal his Patriots fandom and motive behind the jewelry store crime, hoping to sell his tale for a movie deal. Despite the charges against him, one can see the interest from Hollywood.