Fuzzy Thurston's Super Bowl II ring will be auctioned off

Let Fuzzy Thurston’s story serve as a cautionary tale for Green Bay Packers players who receiver their Super Bowl XLV championship rings last week.

That’s because U.S. marshals have taken Thurston’s Super Bowl II ring and it will be auctioned off in August to help settle massive debt he has to the IRS.

According to the Green Bay Press-Gazette, Thurston owes about $1.7 million in back taxes, much from the late 1970’s and 1980’s when he owned and operated a chain of restaurants and bars. Heritage Auctions will sell off the ring as the National Sports Collectors Convention in Rosemont, Ill., on Aug. 4. Per the report, early estimates are the ring will sell for more than $20,000 – and the bidding could take off. A Super Bowl I ring belonging to Packers offensive lineman Steve Wright sold for $73,409 last month.

Thurston and the co-owners of the properties he held were accused of withholding taxes from the pay checks of employees and not turning the money over to the government. It’s obviously been a long battle.

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Brad Biggs covers the Bears for the Chicago Tribune

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