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Do NFL waterboys get Super Bowl rings? It is one of those questions that seems simple, but the true answer takes you behind the scenes of how professional teams work. In short, there is no automatic rule that gives a ring to every person who holds a water bottle on the sideline. Super Bowl rings are given out at the discretion of the championship team. That means policies vary from one organization to another. Many teams award rings to full-time support staff such as equipment assistants, athletic training staff, and hydration specialists. Other teams limit rings to players, coaches, and a smaller inner circle. This guide explains what the job of a so-called waterboy actually is, how ring distribution really works, and what you can do if your dream is to be part of a Super Bowl-winning staff.
What People Mean When They Say Waterboy
Waterboy is a casual term. In the NFL, nobody is officially hired as a waterboy. On game day, you might see staff members holding water or sports drinks for players and coaches. Those people are usually part of the athletic training or equipment staff. Their real titles could be athletic training assistant, equipment assistant, hydration specialist, or seasonal intern. They are trained professionals who help with hydration, quick medical support, and gear management, not just drink service.
These roles are part of a larger sideline operation that also covers taping ankles, managing helmets and pads, maintaining communication gear, and coordinating with medical personnel. During the week, many of these staffers work full-time hours, helping with practices, player recovery, logistics, and equipment tracking. So while the water bottle is the most visible part of the job, the role is broader and more technical than most fans realize.
The Short Answer: Do Waterboys Get Super Bowl Rings?
Sometimes yes, sometimes no. The NFL does not have a universal rule that says every hydration helper gets a ring. Teams decide who gets a Super Bowl ring. Many championship franchises include full-time staffers such as athletic trainers and equipment assistants in their ring lists. Those are the people who often handle hydration on game day. Seasonal interns, game-day only workers, and outside vendors are less likely to receive a ring, though they might receive other mementos.
In recent years, a trend toward generosity has grown. Some organizations choose to recognize a wide circle of contributors, extending rings to significant support staff. Others keep the list tight. The exact decision depends on the team’s culture, leadership, and budget. The answer, then, depends on who you are, how you are employed by the team, and how your team values support roles.
How Super Bowl Rings Are Actually Distributed
Who Definitely Gets Rings
Players on the active roster when the team wins the Super Bowl receive rings. Coaches and key football operations personnel are also included. Most teams also give rings to practice squad players and injured reserve players, though that is a team choice rather than a strict rule. Front office executives, scouts, equipment directors, head athletic trainers, and other core staff are frequently included as well.
Beyond that inner circle, the list becomes flexible. Teams build their own distribution plan. Some organizations prepare hundreds of rings to reward everyone who contributed over the long season. Others limit rings to a smaller group and offer other gifts to support staff not on the ring list.
Team Discretion and Budgets
The league provides guidelines and helps with the cost for a set number of rings, but each team decides who is on the list. The cost of a ring can be significant, especially if the design uses premium materials and custom work. When a team exceeds the league-supported number or upgrades materials, the team pays the difference. This financial factor is one reason policies differ from team to team.
Because the team writes the final check for quantities and upgrades, ownership and the front office will balance tradition, culture, and budget. A team with a strong emphasis on family and unity may expand their list. A team looking to manage costs may keep distribution tighter and create other ways to say thank you to staff.
Ring Tiers and Differences
Championship teams often create tiers of rings. The top tier, commonly for players, coaches, and top executives, usually has the most diamonds and the richest design details. Staff rings may be slightly smaller or use different materials, but they still carry the championship identity. Another tier might be intended for extended staff and sometimes for family members, with simpler designs. In all cases, the ring remains a respected symbol of the season’s work.
Even when staff rings differ in size or stones, they often look similar to the player version at first glance. The team logo, the year, and the Super Bowl number are commonly present. Personalization such as a name or job title can be included. The details are decided in the design process after the season ends.
Where Waterboys Fit Into the Picture
Full-Time Hydration, Equipment, and Training Assistants
If you are a full-time member of the athletic training or equipment department and you handle hydration on game day, your odds of receiving a ring are decent with many teams. These positions are deeply involved in the daily success of the team, from keeping players healthy and compliant with protocols to making sure every piece of equipment performs. Teams that value an all-in culture often include these staffers in ring distribution because they are essential to safety, performance, and preparation.
In practical terms, it is common for head athletic trainers, assistants, and equipment managers to appear on ring lists. The most junior full-time staff may or may not be included depending on team policy, but many modern teams recognize their full-time support crew with at least a staff-level ring.
Seasonal Interns and Game-Day Staff
Seasonal interns and game-day only workers are less likely to receive rings. Their contributions matter, but they are not always employed year-round and may not be present for much of the season’s grind. That said, there are exceptions. Some teams show appreciation by giving rings to standout seasonal interns who worked the entire year. Others might provide alternate gifts such as pendants, watches, or framed memorabilia engraved with the championship details.
If you are in this category, the best approach is to focus on being indispensable. Building trust with the core staff and demonstrating consistent excellence increases the chance that your name ends up on the ring list if the team’s policy allows for it.
Volunteers, Vendors, and Third-Party Workers
People who are not employed by the team, such as volunteers or vendor employees, almost never receive Super Bowl rings. They may be present on game day and help with hydration or field logistics, but teams typically reserve rings for their own employees. Vendors or third-party professionals may receive thank-you gifts or acknowledgments, yet rings are a rarity.
Real-World Examples and Recent Trends
Generous Teams and Broad Recognition
In recent years, several championship teams have been known to give out a large number of rings. This often includes players, coaches, full-time football operations staff, equipment and training departments, scouting, some front office employees, and sometimes additional support personnel. The idea is to recognize the many hands that shape a championship season. While not every team follows the same path, the trend toward wider recognition is well established.
The motivation is cultural as much as it is ceremonial. Teams that emphasize unity and collaboration often see staff rings as a visible investment in morale. For organizations chasing sustained success, making people feel valued can pay off in retention and performance.
More Conservative Distribution
Some franchises keep the list smaller. They reserve rings for players, coaches, key football staff, and certain executives. Other contributors might receive different memorabilia instead of a ring. This approach helps control costs and keeps the rings more exclusive. Neither approach is wrong; it reflects each team’s history, finances, and leadership philosophy.
Practice Squad and Injured Reserve Comparisons
Looking at how teams treat practice squad and injured reserve players gives a hint about how they might treat support staff. Many teams award rings to practice squad and injured reserve players because they contributed during the season. That inclusion often signals a more generous policy toward full-time staff as well. If a franchise values behind-the-scenes contributors among players, it often values them among staff, too.
What the NFL Pays For
League Contribution and Caps
The NFL helps pay for a set number of rings for the Super Bowl winner. The exact amount and limits have changed over time. Typically, the league contributes up to a certain number of rings and a portion of the cost per ring. If a team wants more rings or a more elaborate design, the team covers the additional expense. This structure allows champions to tailor their distribution to their values while keeping a baseline of support from the league.
Conference championship rings for the losing Super Bowl team are handled in a similar budgeted fashion. Again, the important point is that the league provides a framework and financial support, but each team ultimately designs, orders, and distributes its rings.
Why Teams Still Decide
Because teams pay for upgrades and extra quantities, they retain control over who receives rings. It is a business decision, a cultural decision, and a legacy decision. Some owners want a ring to signify the contributions of everyone in the building. Others see it as a player and coach honor first. This discretion is why your job title alone does not guarantee a ring. Your team’s policy matters.
What a Staff Ring Looks Like
Design, Customization, and Tiers
Player rings tend to be larger and more ornate. Staff rings are often slightly smaller, with fewer diamonds or different materials, but they still echo the main design. Expect the team logo, the year, and references to the Super Bowl number and the final score. Many rings include the recipient’s name or title on the side, and some include tiny symbols that reference key moments or team mottos.
Even at the staff level, these rings are substantial pieces with detailed craftsmanship. They are not trinkets. Teams and their chosen jewelers put significant thought into the stories the ring tells. For staff members, receiving a ring is both recognition and a lifelong keepsake tied to a historic moment.
Ring Ceremonies and Timing
Rings are not handed out at the Super Bowl. After the season ends, the winning team works with a jeweler to finalize the design and place the order. Production can take months. The organization typically hosts a private ring ceremony during the following offseason or early in the next season, sometimes at a team event or in a dedicated banquet. Staff recipients are usually invited to their respective ceremonies, which can be separate from player events or combined depending on the team’s plan.
Compensation, Taxes, and Ownership
Is the Ring Taxable?
In most cases, a championship ring is considered taxable compensation. That means recipients may owe taxes on the fair market value of the ring. Some teams help by covering some tax impact or structuring compensation to reduce the burden, but that is not universal. Staff should expect that a ring, like other forms of compensation, can carry tax implications. This is one reason teams might limit who gets a ring, and it is something staffers should be prepared to handle.
Can You Sell a Staff Ring?
Rings belong to the recipient, and retired staff rings occasionally appear at auctions or in private sales. Selling a ring is a personal decision and sometimes a controversial one. While staff members have the right to do what they want with their property, many choose to keep the ring as a personal heirloom. The sentimental value of the ring usually outweighs any market price for most recipients.
How to Become the Waterboy Who Might Get a Ring
Education and Certifications
If your dream is to be on an NFL sideline, build a foundation in sports medicine, athletic training, or sports management. Degrees in kinesiology, exercise science, or athletic training are common. Certifications in first aid, CPR, and emergency response are valuable. If you aim for the training side, pursue the credentials required for athletic trainers in your region. If you lean toward equipment, study logistics and technical equipment skills through collegiate programs or internships.
The more specialized your skills, the more useful you are to a team. Being able to tape ankles properly, manage hydration protocols, set up helmets and communication systems, and maintain gear under pressure is the kind of practical expertise NFL staffs rely on.
Internships and Networking
Internships are the main gateway. Many NFL teams offer seasonal internships in their athletic training or equipment departments. College football programs also provide experience that aligns well with NFL expectations. Start at the college level, master the basics, and then target NFL camps and seasonal roles. Relationship building is crucial. Strong references from respected college programs or NFL departments can lead to opportunities.
Be willing to work long hours, travel, and take on unglamorous tasks. The sideline might look exciting on television, but the day-to-day reality involves a lot of preparation, cleaning, organizing, and patience. Teams notice reliability, humility, and consistency.
Work Schedule and Duties
In season, expect early mornings and late nights. Duties include prepping hydration and medical supplies, cleaning and organizing equipment, maintaining lockers, checking communication systems, and coordinating with trainers and coaches. On game day, you will support hydration, assist with gear fixes, and help with quick medical needs like holding towels and handing over tape or ice. After the game, you return to cleaning, inventory, and recovery preparation.
This rhythm repeats every week, and during the playoffs, it intensifies. The best staffers anticipate problems and solve them quietly. That level of reliability is what gets noticed when ring decisions are made.
Behaviors That Improve Your Chances
Focus on being valuable rather than visible. Be early, prepared, and calm under pressure. Learn the preferences of players and coaches and meet them without being asked. Guard confidentiality, respect player privacy, and always follow safety protocols. Support your teammates on the staff. When the team wins, leaders think about who consistently helped, not who stood closest to the camera. People who make the operation smoother tend to be remembered when rings are ordered.
Frequently Asked Myths and Questions
Myth: Every Person on the Sideline Gets a Ring
Standing on the sideline does not guarantee a ring. Only team employees on the ring list receive one, and that list varies by team. Media members, vendors, and some game-day workers may stand a few feet from star players and coaches, but they are not on the team’s payroll and usually are not ring recipients.
Myth: Waterboys Make Six Figures
Another common myth is that waterboys earn huge salaries. Actual pay depends on role, experience, and team. Interns may earn stipends, and entry-level full-time staffers in equipment or athletic training typically earn modest salaries in the sports industry range. Over time, experienced staff can make more, and department heads can earn significantly more, but six figures is not the norm for entry-level hydration or equipment roles.
Do Losing Team Staff Get Rings?
Losing teams do not receive Super Bowl rings. They may receive conference championship rings that honor winning the AFC or NFC title. The distribution of those rings is also up to the team. Some organizations are generous with conference rings, while others are more selective. These rings are meaningful but clearly distinct from Super Bowl championship rings.
Do Cheerleaders Get Rings?
Cheerleaders are not guaranteed Super Bowl rings. Some teams provide rings or pendants to cheerleaders, while others offer different commemorative items. Cheerleader ring policies, like staff policies, vary by organization. It depends on how the franchise defines team representation and who it considers part of the core group for championship recognition.
Do Broadcasters, Stadium Workers, or Security Get Rings?
Team-employed broadcast staff or in-house media personnel sometimes receive rings if the team includes them as part of their staff list. Stadium workers, security, and third-party contractors generally do not. They may receive thank-you gifts or acknowledgments, but rings are reserved for people directly employed and recognized by the team.
Pros and Cons of Giving Rings to Staff
Why Teams Do It
Giving rings to staff boosts morale, loyalty, and culture. Football is the ultimate team sport, and that includes the people behind the scenes who keep players healthy, organized, and ready. Recognizing their work with a ring reinforces a message that everyone matters. For franchises building a long-term identity, that unity can be powerful.
The Trade-Offs
Rings are expensive, and the list can grow quickly. Teams must balance generosity with cost and consider how it looks to ownership and fans. There is also the matter of tradition and exclusivity. Some organizations want the ring to be a rare honor. Finding the right balance is part of each team’s culture and brand.
Advice if You Are On Support Staff
Ask the Right Way
Do not demand a ring or bring it up during the postseason run. If you are curious about policy, ask your department head in the offseason in a respectful way. You can say that you are grateful to be part of the organization and would appreciate understanding how the team recognizes staff after a championship. Keeping the conversation professional and low-pressure is important.
If your team wins, focus on your job during the celebration period. The organization will communicate ring plans later. Decisions are often made months after the win, not in the days immediately following the Super Bowl.
Keep Expectations Realistic
It helps to know that ring decisions are not a judgment of your worth as a person or professional. They are organizational choices influenced by policy and budget. If you do not receive a ring but remain part of the team, you can still advance in your career and earn future recognition. Many staffers who miss out as interns later receive rings when they return in full-time roles.
Common Scenarios and Likely Outcomes
Scenario: Full-Time Equipment Assistant on the Super Bowl Winner
If you are full-time and well-regarded within the equipment department, your chances are strong. Many teams include full-time equipment staff in their ring distribution. The exact tier of ring may differ from the player ring, but it is still a championship ring.
Scenario: Seasonal Athletic Training Intern Who Worked the Whole Year
Your chances are mixed. Some teams reward full-season interns, especially those who were part of training camp through the postseason. Others limit rings to full-time staff and provide alternative gifts to interns. Strong performance and relationships can make a difference in close decisions.
Scenario: Game-Day Only Hydration Helper Hired Through a Vendor
Chances are low. If your paycheck does not come from the team and you are not considered part of the staff, you are unlikely to receive a ring. You may, however, receive recognition through your vendor or in other forms from the team.
Scenario: Practice Squad Player vs. Training Intern
Practice squad players are usually closer to the player tier and are often given rings by many teams, though it is still a team choice. Training interns are further from the core decision group and may or may not receive rings. This comparison highlights how team policy often values those who directly impact on-field performance and preparation, especially within the player pool.
How Ring Decisions Get Made Inside the Building
The Process and the People
After a championship, ownership, the general manager, the head coach, and a small group of executives discuss ring design and distribution. Department heads provide names for consideration. Human resources and finance align the list with employment records and budget. The final list can include hundreds of names. Once set, the team works with the ring vendor to customize engravings and sizes.
Communication varies. Some teams tell recipients informally before the ceremony. Others reveal the final list when invitations go out. If you are curious about your status, patience is important. Plans can change while budgets and quantities are finalized.
Why The Answer Matters
Respect for the Whole Team
Fans often see the players and coaches, but real success includes many unseen contributors. Understanding how rings are awarded gives perspective on the team-as-an-organization model. While winning on the field is the headline, winning off the field requires logistics, medicine, data, equipment, and willingness to do the small jobs well. Rings acknowledge that bigger picture.
Clarity for Aspiring Professionals
For students and early-career professionals looking at sports careers, this topic clarifies expectations. The path to the NFL support staff is long and demanding. A ring is not guaranteed, and it should not be the only goal. The real reward is skill, mentorship, relationships, and the chance to help athletes perform at their best. If a ring comes, it is a bonus that celebrates collective achievement.
Tips to Improve Your Odds of Earning a Ring as Staff
Be There Year-Round
Teams tend to prioritize people who contributed the entire season. If you can commit to a full calendar, including training camp, preseason, regular season, and postseason, your contribution is clearer and easier for leaders to recognize. Consistent presence builds trust and makes your inclusion feel natural.
Own a Specialty
When you bring a skill that others rely on, you become indispensable. That could be expert taping technique, quick equipment fixes, hydration management under strict protocols, or fast problem-solving with communication systems. Specialists who reduce stress for coaches and players are noticed and valued.
Make the Culture Better
Reliability and positivity win deep respect in sports. Show professionalism, keep confidences, and help teammates without being asked. Winning organizations protect their culture, and they reward those who embody it. If a team must choose between two equally good workers, the one who lifts the room will usually be favored.
The Big Picture: More Than Just a Ring
What a Ring Represents
A Super Bowl ring is a symbol of a team’s shared achievement after months of work. For staff, it also represents early mornings, late nights, long travel days, and countless details handled correctly. Whether or not you receive a ring, being part of a championship season carries its own pride. Staffers often say the relationships and memories matter even more than the jewelry.
How Teams See Their Legacy
Each team decides how to tell its championship story. Some prefer a classic approach that highlights players and coaches. Others extend the spotlight to the whole building. Neither approach changes what happened on the field. But from the inside, the choice influences how employees feel and how the organization is perceived. That is why policies evolve as owners, general managers, and head coaches change.
Conclusion
So, do NFL waterboys get Super Bowl rings? The real answer is that waterboy is a nickname for trained staffers in athletic training and equipment departments, and whether they get a ring depends on the team. There is no league rule that guarantees a ring to everyone who hands out water. Many franchises include full-time support staff in their ring distribution, often with a staff-tier design. Seasonal interns and game-day workers are less likely to receive rings, though they may get other forms of recognition. Ultimately, ring decisions come down to team culture, budgets, and leadership priorities.
If you want to be the person on the sideline who might one day earn a ring, build skills in sports medicine or equipment operations, pursue internships, learn from experienced staff, and make yourself essential. Show up, be reliable, and protect the team culture. Rings are symbols, but the work behind them is what makes championships possible. Whether you receive a ring or not, contributing to a Super Bowl season is a career highlight that lasts a lifetime.