Walter Jones to receive Hall of Fame Ring of Excellence

Seattle Seahawks tackle Walter Jones will be the first member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame’s seven-man Class of 2014 to receive his Hall of Fame Ring of Excellence, created by Kay® Jewelers.

He will receive his Hall of Fame Ring of Excellence from Pro Football Hall of Fame President David Baker during halftime of the NFL’s season opener at CenturyLink Field on Thursday, Sept. 4. The defending Super Bowl champion Seahawks host the Green Bay Packers to kick off the NFL’s 95th season.

Jones became the third longtime member of the Seahawks to be elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame. The two Seahawks legends that preceded him to Canton, wide receiver Steve Largent (Class of 1995) and Cortez Kennedy (Class of 2012), will be on hand to honor Jones during the on-field ceremony.

Jones was enshrined into the Hall of Fame on Saturday, Aug. 2 along with Derrick Brooks, Ray Guy, Claude Humphrey, Andre Reed, Michael Strahan, and Aeneas Williams.

“To all the NFL tackles that came before me – guys like Jonathan Ogden, Erik Williams, Orlando Pace, Willie Roaf, Jackie Slater, Art Shell, and Tony Boselli – it was an honor to watch you guys,” Jones shared in his enshrinement speech from the stage at Pro Football Hall of Fame Field in August. “Thanks for paving the way. A special thanks to the legendary Anthony Muñoz. In high school, Coach Mac (Pierce McIntosh) gave me a video of offensive line drills. After watching that video and witnessing the greatness that is Anthony Muñoz, it inspired me to be on the O-line. I realized then that athletes could be on the O-line.”

The Hall of Fame Ring of Excellence is one of three iconic symbols that represent the elite status of being a member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Jones, who was accompanied by his presenter and son Walterius Jones, received his Hall of Fame Gold Jacket on the eve of his enshrinement in Canton, and unveiled his Bronzed Bust during the Enshrinement Ceremony.

All three symbols will be displayed during the ring presentation to Jones on Thursday night. He will wear his Hall of Fame Gold Jacket and his Bronzed Bust will be temporarily removed from the Hall of Fame and shipped to Seattle for the Ring of Excellence ceremony. In addition, the Bronzed Busts of Kennedy and Largent will be displayed on the field.

"We are thrilled to be the Official Jewelry Store of the Pro Football Hall of Fame and honored to provide Walter with his Ring of Excellence," said Ed Hrabak, President, Kay® Jewelers. "Walter's Ring of Excellence reflects the incredible achievement of enshrinement while also celebrating his unique career. The ring features intricate detail and state-of-the-art craftsmanship, from the “stadium effect” created by the outer diamonds to completely customized sides featuring his name, years in the league, position and even an engraving of his Hall of Fame bust."

Seattle traded up in the 1997 NFL Draft to land Jones with the sixth overall pick. The move paid immediate dividends for Seattle as Jones embarked on a career that saw him start all 180 regular season games during his 12 NFL seasons. He earned All-Pro accolades six times, voted to nine Pro Bowls, and selected to the NFL’s All-Decade Team of the 2000s.

Class of 2014 Pro Football Hall of Fame Ring of Excellence Presentations
Claude Humphrey – (Kickoff Weekend) New Orleans at Atlanta, Sunday, Sept. 7
Derrick Brooks – (Week 2) St. Louis at Tampa Bay, Sunday, Sept. 14
Andre Reed – (Week 3) San Diego at Buffalo, Sunday, Sept. 21
Michael Strahan – (Week 9) – Indianapolis at New York Giants, Monday, Nov. 3
Aeneas Williams – (Week 11) – Detroit at Arizona, Sunday, Nov. 16
Ray Guy – (Week 12) – Kansas City at Oakland, Thursday, Nov. 20