Avery Johnson won an NBA Championship ring in 1999 with the San Antonio Spurs. Now he can add a second piece of bling to his hand — this time, however, it’s a Super Bowl ring.
New Orleans Saints general manager Mickey Loomis awarded 219 rings to everyone "who depends upon the success of the team to keep their jobs."
Johnson was the one exception.
Though the ex-Mavericks coach now gets his paycheck from ESPN for his work as an analyst, Loomis awarded Johnson a ring for his motivational contributions.
Johnson, a New Orleans native, spoke to the team before the season, encouraging the eventual Super Bowl champs to "Be Special."
Drew Brees and company obviously heeded his advice. While Johnson’s words couldn’t quite coax an NBA title out of his Dallas Mavericks in 2006, they certainly struck a nerve within the Saints locker room.
Ronnie Lott and Jon Gruden also met with the Saints during the season, but they of course, already have rings of their own.
