1993 Dallas Cowboys Super Bowl XXVIII Championship Ring — Salesman Sample
On January 30, 1994, the defending champion Dallas Cowboys defeated the Buffalo Bills 30-13 in Super Bowl XXVIII, becoming the first team in NFL history to repeat as champions after starting a season 0-2 — and the first of only two occasions where the same two teams have met in back-to-back Super Bowls. This is an official salesman sample of the championship ring issued in the name of franchise quarterback Troy Aikman — produced on the exact same machines and dies as the player-issued original, made to near-exact specs, in gold plated construction with cubic zirconia stones in place of diamonds. Of note this ring does have a split band (see photos) as it was inteded for use as a sample.
What is a salesman sample?
Salesman samples were produced by the ring manufacturer on the exact same machines and dies as the player-issued originals — meaning the construction, detail, and craftsmanship are completely identical. The primary difference is that samples use cubic zirconia (CZ) stones in place of diamonds. However the design, size, and engravings are indistinguishable from the rings worn by the players themselves. Samples like this were used by sales reps to show teams future ring designs, and were never sold to the public. That makes them exceptionally rare today.
The road to a second straight ring was anything but easy. Dallas opened the season 0-2 amid a contract holdout by Emmitt Smith, then battled through injuries all year — including a Troy Aikman concussion suffered just one week before the Super Bowl in the NFC Championship Game, so severe he had no memory of that contest. Aikman played anyway, completing 19 of 27 passes as the Cowboys erased a 13-6 halftime deficit with 24 unanswered points. Emmitt Smith took over from there, earning NFL MVP, rushing champion, and Super Bowl MVP honors all in the same season — a feat no other player has matched.
| Championship | Super Bowl XXVIII (1993 season) |
| Player Style | Troy Aikman, Quarterback |
| Type | Salesman sample |
| Material | Gold plated |
| Stones | Cubic zirconia (CZ) |
| Manufacturer | Balfour |
| Result | Dallas Cowboys defeated Buffalo Bills, 30-13 |
| Regular Season Record | 12-4 |
1993 Dallas Cowboys Super Bowl Ring — Quick Facts
- Super Bowl XXVIII was played January 30, 1994, at the Georgia Dome in Atlanta, Georgia.
- This was the only time in NFL history the same two teams met in back-to-back Super Bowls.
- Emmitt Smith won the NFL MVP, rushing title, and Super Bowl MVP in the same season — a feat no other player has achieved.
- Buffalo's fourth consecutive Super Bowl loss remains an NFL record.
- This win tied the Cowboys with the Steelers and 49ers for most Super Bowl titles at the time (4).