Jon Dorenbos has every reason to celebrate. First off, he’s alive. Secondly, he now has a Super Bowl ring on his finger.

The former Philadelphia Eagles long snapper was traded to the New Orleans Saints last offseason and during a routine physical for his new team, doctors discovered he had an aortic aneurysm, which ended his 15-year NFL career.

Following immediate open-heart surgery, the 37-year-old was content to hang up his cleats. But the Eagles thought he deserved a proper sendoff, especially after the 11 seasons he put in for their team. So, Eagles owner Jeffrey Lurie not only invited him to Minneapolis to watch the big game in person, but also delivered some exciting news prior to the win.

“Had I played, I’d die. If you can’t play in it, this is the next best way to enjoy it,” Dorenbos told The New Orleans Advocate. “Mr. Lurie called me and said he wants me to be a part of it, said I was here a long time, and he said ‘We’re going to win this, and you’re going to get a ring.’”

True to his word, Lurie made sure an extra ring was ordered for Dorenbos. Most players received their ring during a ceremony in mid-June. Dorenbos saw his for the first time on Thursday, and his reaction to the piece of jewelry that houses 219 diamonds is well worth the watch.

 

 

 

The Eagles didn’t stop with giving Dorenbos a ring. They also gave one to Carol Cullen, a long-time secretary who was fired in 2014 by ex-Eagles coach Chip Kelly following his second year with the team. He told her that her job was “no longer needed.” It was a devastating blow since she had been there since 1985.

So, when Cullen first received an email about the ring, she thought it was a mistake, according to Tim McManus of ESPN.

“No, it’s not an error,” a team employee told her. “Call me. We need to get you fitted.”

Well done, Eagles. You’re continuing to pull off big “plays” even after the Super Bowl win.