War of the Rings

Avenger quarterback John Kaleo shook his head and smirked when asked about his jewelry collection. Al Lucas, an Avenger lineman, was slightly less amused.

Kaleo, Lucas and a handful of former Tampa Bay Storm players have learned that all that glitters is not gold, or rather all that sparkles are not diamonds. The players helped the Storm win an ArenaBowl title in 2003, only to learn that the championship had been devalued by Tim Marcum, the team’s coach and general manager. The rings they were given for winning the title, which were supposed to display five diamonds, were instead loaded with cubic zirconia.

“This is supposed to be something you keep the rest of your life,” Lucas said. “It’s a championship ring, whether you win one in high school, college or pros, it’s supposed to be special. [Marcum] turned that into a personal issue.”

The Arena Football Players’ Assn. has filed a grievance with the league on behalf of the seven players who left the team as free agents after the 2003 season. The union claims that the players who left via free agency were discriminated against when they were given rings of lesser quality and value, while players who stayed with the Storm were rewarded with diamonds. An arbitration hearing is set for Feb. 14.

“I just felt my chances were better off going to free agency,” said Kaleo, who avoided using Marcum’s name during an interview. “That silver-haired guy in Tampa does things like this.”

Said Lucas: “The guys who left were a big part of that team, they were key players. We just want to get the rings we deserve.”

Stephen Evans, spokesman for the Storm, said that some of the players who remained with the team received rings with cubic zirconia instead of diamonds. He also said Marcum and his coaching staff decided who received diamond rings.

The players began to suspect something was up even before the rings were handed out. Kaleo heard rumors and, when he got his ring, decided to get an appraisal.

“All I’m going to say is I was told I should get one done,” Kaleo said.

What he and others learned was that the rings were worth $1,200 to $1,300 less than those given to other players.

Marcum said last month that the former players were not singled out, saying that there were players who started all the games that got artificial stones.

“I had heard he treated people like this, but you don’t want to believe stuff you hear until you see it yourself,” Lucas said. “I’ve seen it.”

The AFL does not have a policy with respect to championship rings, according to league spokesman Chris McCloskey. Lucas, though, is formulating a policy, to be delivered March 26 when the Avengers play Tampa Bay at Staples Center.

“I guess I’ll get my revenge then,” Lucas said.