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While most concerned themselves with the Lakers and Celtics hunting for rings of their own in the NBA in recent weeks, the New Orleans Saints received their Super Bowl rings in a special ceremony last week.

Besides featuring the highly visible diamonds, the ring also includes the Superdome, the St. Louis Cathedral,  and a few lyrics from “When the Saints Go Marching In.”

Saints management awarded 219 rings to the players and members of the organization – including current New Jersey Nets head coach Avery Johnson.

Yes, the same Avery Johnson that formerly coached the NBA’s Dallas Mavericks.

Last season, Johnson was amongst a few guest motivational speakers the team used to help keep the squad on point. Johnson’s message of “be special” rang true for the Saints and eventually paid dividends for Johnson, who now is the proud of a Super Bowl ring.

Head coach Sean Payton’s biggest challenge next season will be getting this team to put last season in the rearview mirror as quickly as possibly. Super Bowl champions that are a bit too happy with themselves typically struggle the following season (yes, 2006 Steelers, I’m looking at you).