'We are devastated': Family of former NFL player seeks help finding lost Super Bowl ring
Chris Washington, a Gilbert local and former NFL player for the San Francisco 49ers, lost his 1989 championship ring while running errands with his wife on March 14.
As Washington and his wife, Julia Washington, were getting ready for a trip out of town with friends, they went shopping around Gilbert on Thursday afternoon. It wasn't until several days later, upon returning home from their trip, that they realized the ring was missing from their possession.
"We tore up the house. We tore up the cars," Julia said. "We said, 'It's got to be around here somewhere.'"
Following the filing of a 311 report with Gilbert police and initiating a social media campaign to raise awareness, the couple meticulously retraced their steps, recalling every location they visited during their Thursday outing. Furthermore, they notified local pawn shops in case the ring turned up.
Washington, who normally wears the ring every day, was diagnosed with Parkinson's disease in 2016, which has caused him to experience "significant short-term and long-term memory loss," according to Julia.
"Being able to look at that ring helps him connect the dots," Julia said. "It's a connection to his past, but it's also a connection to his journey."
1989 Super Bowl champions
As a linebacker, Washington and the 49ers defeated the Denver Broncos 55-10 for the 1989 season, marking the NFL team's fourth Super Bowl championship win.
In addition to playing for the 49ers, Washington was also a member of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and the Phoenix Cardinals before retiring due to injuries.
After retirement, Washington relocated to San Diego, where he served as a high school football coach. He additionally became involved in mentoring programs for disadvantaged youth, according to Julia. During speaking engagements, Washington would leverage the ring to "help provide a tangible illustration of hard work, perseverance, commitment, and dedication," Julia said.
The ring, crafted from gold and representing Washington's Super Bowl XXIV triumph, features his name and jersey number engraved on it, adorned with "four large diamonds on the crown encircled by smaller stones," according to Julia. Additionally, "Forty Niners" is prominently displayed on both sides of the ring.
"It's a very distinct piece of jewelry," said Julia, citing the ring as "more of a member of the family" than an inanimate object.
According to Julia, Washington and his ring were recognizable by 49ers fans, and would often be approached while out in public. She went on to say that the ring would "ignite excitement" and spark conversation, serving as a way for Washington to connect with people, Julia said.
Despite no new leads, Julia remains hopeful, but not "overly optimistic," expressing her concerns of the ring being recovered by someone who may not realize its value.
"It really just depends on the heart of the person who finds it," Julia said. "People have been overwhelmingly supportive and empathetic, which is appreciated. We are devastated, but we continue to try to be hopeful."
According to Julia, the ring would ultimately have been passed down to his children.
"It's a reminder of everything that he accomplished. It's a tool through which he can connect to a very happy time in his life," Julia said. "It's absolutely priceless."
Julia believes the ring may have been lost in a parking lot at one of the following Gilbert locations:
Fry's on Higley Road and Pecos Road
Walgreens on Higley Road and Williams Field Road
Total Wine & More at SanTan Village
WinCo Foods on Pecos Road and Market Street
Costco on Pecos Road and Market Street
Anyone who finds the ring is asked to contact Julia at julia.bussell@gmail.com. The couple are also offering a reward for its recovery.
This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Former NFL player Chris Washington loses Super Bowl ring in Gilbert
