John Lynch says his Super Bowl ring was stolen

Former Tampa Bay Buccaneers safety John Lynch was being inducted into the team's Ring of Honor on Friday when he revealed he no longer has his Super Bowl ring.

Lynch says the ring was stolen when he left a backpack unattended three months ago, according to Matt Stein of Sports Talk Florida.

Lynch was a nine-time Pro Bowler over his long career, and was a cornerstone of one of the best defenses of all time, along with Warren Sapp, Derrick Brooks, and Ronde Barber. That Bucs team blew out the Oakland Raiders 48-21 in Super Bowl XXXVII.

The lost Super Bowl ring has become a familiar tale over the years, with players being separated from their jewelry in all manner of ways.

In September, John Schmitt, starting center for the New York Jets in Super Bowl III, had his ring recovered in Waikiki, Hawaii 40 years after losing it in the ocean.

Other players have had their rings stolen, but the good news for Lynch is he's having a new one made and sent to him - a luxury some down-and-out former pros wouldn't be able to afford.