New England Patriots Report

Underwood thrilled to receive ring

August, 23, 2012

8/23/12

11:52

AM ET

By Mike Reiss | ESPNBoston.com

TAMPA -- Former Patriots receiver Tiquan Underwood arrived in the Buccaneers' locker room on Wednesday and was thrilled to see a sparkling ring waiting for him in a classy wooden box.

It was part of a promise that Bill Belichick kept to him.

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Tiquan Underwood

Mike Reiss/ESPNBoston.com Tiquan Underwood shows off his AFC championship ring.

"When I got released, Bill kept his word. He said if we win the Super Bowl, you'll get a ring, and if we don't you'll get a ring," Underwood relayed Thursday after a joint practice with the Buccaneers and Patriots. "They kept their word. After practice yesterday, it was waiting for me."

Underwood, whose release the night before the Super Bowl generated national headlines, reflected on his time with the Patriots upon first seeing the 2011 AFC Championship ring.

"All that hard work you put into it, it's such a long football season, it was a neat gift," he said. "It wasn't the one we wanted, but there are a lot of memories with that ring."

Underwood was passing through the Buccaneers' weight room this morning when he bumped into Belichick, who was working out.

"We spoke a little bit and I just said 'thanks for everything,' he relayed.

Mike Reiss

Patriots reporter, ESPNBoston.com

Covered Patriots since 1997
Blogging on Pats since 2004
Joined ESPNBoston.com in 2009

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ABOUT THIS BLOG

Mike Reiss

Mike Reiss first started covering the Patriots in 1997 with the team's official newspaper, Patriots Football Weekly, before moving on to the MetroWest Daily News in his hometown of Framingham. From 2005 to 2009, he covered the Patriots for The Boston Globe, while also writing on the NFL. He started his popular Patriots blog in 2004. Send any questions or comments for Mike to his mailbag. Follow him on Twitter (@MikeReiss).

Mike Rodak

Mike Rodak began covering the Patriots for ESPNBoston.com in July 2010. A native of Grafton, Mass., Mike attends Providence College, where he assists the athletic department in game management, facilities, and logistics. Follow him on Twitter (@mikerodak)

Field Yates

Field Yates begins his contributions to ESPNBoston.com in 2012 after having written for a number of football-related sites around the web. Field began his professional career after college with the Kansas City Chiefs, working in both the scouting and coaching departments of the franchise before redirecting his focus to a career in media. He also interned for four summers in the coaching and scouting departments with the Patriots. Follow him on Twitter (@FieldYates).