Gehrig Dieter’s departure from the NFL in 2022 was unceremonious, lacking in grand gestures like press conferences or jersey retirements. Instead, he shared a simple Instagram post expressing his gratitude to Kansas City. Following his NFL career, Dieter’s life has revolved around youth camps, viral interactions with Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce, and friendly banter with Patrick Mahomes at Kansas City Royals games. However, behind the social media smiles, there’s a sobering reality: many NFL players experience financial difficulties within two years of retirement.
You may recall Dieter’s name from his days as a roommate with Mahomes during Chiefs training camp or his momentous photo with Taylor Swift at Yankee Stadium. Recently, however, Dieter’s name has become newsworthy for a more concerning reason: a viral post on X where he stated, “Looking to sell my Super Bowl ring. Anyone know a good spot to buy this??” After a user called him a “Broke boy?” Dieter replied simply with “Yes.” This response sent shockwaves through the football community from Kansas City to Canton.
Dieter’s Super Bowl LIV ring represents more than just jewelry; it’s a symbol of the Chiefs’ victory in 2020, a game notable for Mahomes’ incredible fourth-quarter comeback. Yet, Dieter’s contribution to that achievement was minimal, with only two career receptions to his name. Now, at 32, he’s trying to sell that ring for $180,000, a decision as shocking as an unexpected play call on the field.
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Super Bowl rings are legendary—they serve as tangible trophies of hard work and sacrifice. Dieter’s ring, adorned with 10.5 carats of diamonds and rubies, holds significant value, which extends beyond sentiment. Auction houses like SCP Auctions have seen similar rings fetch prices between $200K and $500K. Dieter isn’t the first to sell his ring; former New England Patriots tight end Martellus Bennett sold his for $88,125 in February 2025.
Selling such a prized possession can feel like trading a cherished family heirloom due to financial strain. For players like Dieter, who never secured a lucrative contract, that ring often becomes their most valuable asset. Over five seasons with the Chiefs, he earned around $569,000, a mere fraction compared to Patrick Mahomes’ whopping $503 million contract extension.
While Dieter’s total earnings throughout his career amount to $1,331,813 (including unearned portions), his actual cash payments stood at just $569,118. This stark contrast underscores the financial disparity between star athletes and lesser-known players in the NFL. The transition from a life of flamboyance to frugality can occur almost instantaneously. Dieter’s candid acknowledgment of his financial struggles strikes a poignant note in the narrative of athletes’ retirements.
In an unexpected twist, it appears that Dieter’s ring-selling post might have been an elaborate April Fools’ Day prank. The day after his initial post, he clarified with another message saying, “Well this was fun. April fools for all you people that don’t look at a calendar 😂”. While financial hardships are not uncommon among former athletes, Dieter appeared to have executed this prank with notable finesse.
