Even if you're a big Patriots fan, you probably have to think hard to remember Brock Williams. A third-round draft choice out of Notre Dame in 2001, Williams tore a knee ligament in training camp and never saw action during the Patriots' surprising run to their first Super Bowl championship. The defensive back later got in games as a member of the Chicago Bears and the Oakland Raiders, but he never did hit anyone in anger while wearing a Patriots uniform. Still, he was part of that 2001 championship team, and he has the Super Bowl ring to prove it.

Make that had the Super Bowl ring to prove it. The Boston Herald today reports the strange story of how Williams, who is now living in California on an NFL disability pension, apparently lent the ring to a Las Vegas pawn shop in exchange for a $2,000 loan. But Williams never came back to reclaim the ring, and the pawn shop owner, Rick Harrison, took over ownership after 120 days.

Harrison says he has no plans to sell the ring -- despite offers of $60,000 -- because it is worth more to him as a display item to entice people into his shop. The Herald reports that the ring is kept in a revolving display case behind a sign that reads, "No, you can't touch it or wear it."

Williams' mother, who only recently learned all the details of what happened to the ring, is described by the newspaper as "heartbroken" and says it would be a "miracle" and a "godsend" if somehow the ring returned to the family.