One mystery down, one to go.
Less than 12 hours after Upon Review posted its blog alert on the selling of the 2001 Grey Cup ring Johnson won with the Calgary Stampeders, we were notified the ring had been purchased by a Calgary family that wished to remain anonymous.
The ring, one of three A.J. won while playing linebacker for the Stampeders, was bought for an undisclosed price, although it had been offered on eBay for $4,000 (U.S.).
The family that purchased the ring said, via email, that its members "are long-time (season ticket holders since 1968) Stampeder fans, so it will have a good home with us."
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There was also this notation: "If Alondra ever wants to buy it back from us we will sell it to him."
And yes, the ring, with its multiple diamonds and five rubies, is real. As for the man who won it with his ferocious play, there is still no word as to why he had to sell it.
As mentioned the day before, many of Johnson's former Calgary teammates have tried to contact him after he left the city this summer so he could be with his children from his first marriage. No one knows what the issue is or when he'll be back. Friends and teammates are simply worried about him.
Interestingly enough, Saskatchewan Roughriders offensive lineman Fred Childress, another member of the Stampeders' 2001 championship team, pawned his Grey Cup ring earlier this year. Childress will be playing in Sunday's West Division final against the B.C. Lions and has said this is his last season.
At least one reporter, Dan Toth of the Calgary Sun, tried to talk to Childress prior to the West Division semi-final last Sunday and was given the cold shoulder. Although he was an all-star blocker, and still a very good one, Childress wasn't the heart and soul of the Stampeders the way Johnson was. He didn't display Johnson's passion, which is why so many former Stampeders are hoping to hear from A.J. just so they can relax and know he's not in any difficulty.
But as of this writing, there was no word, no contact, nothing.
Maybe some day Johnson will want his ring back to go with the other two he won as a Stampeder in 1992 and 1998. Maybe he'll be able to laugh at why he had to sell what used to mean so much to him.
For now, though, the ring is safe, fittingly, in Calgary. It has a good home.
