For the Win: Objects of Sports Excellence

Discover the stories behind the objects that define athletic greatness in For the Win: Objects of Sports Excellence, spanning more than 15 sports and nearly 150 years of history. Featuring an extraordinary collection of trophies, rings, and unique awards, For the Win showcases the tradition of using precious metals and gemstones to commemorate victory.Highlights include the National Football League’s Vince Lombardi Trophy, one of Jesse Owens’s gold medals from the 1936 Summer Olympics in Berlin, a 2024 WNBA Championship ring from New York Liberty’s Breanna Stewart, and Kevin Durant’s 2024 Team USA Olympic gold medal. The Vince Lombardi Trophy, handcrafted by global luxury jeweler Tiffany & Co. since 1967 for the Super Bowl, is seen here with Seattle Seahawks quarterback Sam Darnold (left) and running back Kenneth Walker III (right) following the team’s Super Bowl LX victory. The National Football League’s trophy will be featured in For The Win: Objects of Sports Excellence. AP Images The exhibition features over 70 objects across more than 15 sports—including baseball, soccer, tennis, boxing, golf, and swimming, revealing how sports prizes have transformed over time from traditional medals and cups into increasingly elaborate symbols of achievement. Featuring trophies, rings, and medals that represent athletic achievement and the high value placed on winning, the “Victory” display showcases pieces including Kevin Durant’s 2017 NBA Championship ring, which he won with the Golden State Warriors. Alvaro Keding & Daniel Kim/© AMNH