Former Georgia coach Vince Dooley didn't think he would see his 1957 Auburn national championship ring again.
The ring was stolen from his property in 2011 along with two SEC championship rings, and four years later, has resurfaced in an Athens, Georgia pawn shop.
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“It was a real surprise because I didn’t think it was ever going to show up,” Dooley told the Athens Banner-Herald.
Officer Gene Davis, who helped investigate the theft four years ago, was alerted to the $400 sale to an Athens, Ga., pawn shop by a woman in a nearby town. The ring had Dooley's initials, V.J.D, inscribed on it and has an A and a diamond in the center, surrounded by "National Football Champions 1957."
“I take my hat off to the detective, Gene, who stayed on that for me for years,” Dooley said. “I wish we could locate the couple others. I guess I’ve been inspired there’s a possibility.”
The owner of the pawn shop where the ring was located told detectives she wishes to charge the woman who sold her the ring with theft by deception.
Dooley was an assistant coach with Auburn when the team closed out a perfect season (10-0) in 1957. Auburn was named national champion by the Associated Press, despite not playing in a title game due to probation.