The Green Bay Packers’ decision to hold a private ceremony to distribute Super Bowl XLV rings to players, coaches and members of the organization is consistent with what the team did after it won Super Bowl XXXI, a team spokesman said Thursday.

“We relied on past practices,” Aaron Popkey said. “But it’s intended to be a private event.”

The ring ceremony will be held June 16 at the Lambeau Field Atrium, but details of the program and who will attend aren’t being announced. The Atrium will close to the public at 4 p.m. that day.

Following the Packers’ Super Bowl victory after the 1996 season, the team held a private event at the Oneida Golf & Country Club in Green Bay, with defensive end Reggie White and defensive coordinator Fritz Shurmur meeting with the media to display the ring.

The Packers held a Super Bowl celebration for the public two days after their Super Bowl XLV victory and plan to have a recognition ceremony when they host the New Orleans Saints in the regular-season opener at Lambeau Field on Sept. 8.

Images of the Super Bowl XLV ring will be available on the Packers’ website on the night of June 16. Super Bowl rings also will be displayed in the Packers Hall of Fame after the ring ceremony, Popkey said.

The Packers received permission from the NFL to hold the ring ceremony despite the unresolved labor dispute.

GreenBayPressGazette wrote:

I just read this on PFT. I'm not sure why folks think they "deserve" to see the ceremony. Sure, it'd be nice. I just don't think it's worth a uproar.

Originally Posted by: Zero2Cool 

I just read this on PFT. I'm not sure why folks think they "deserve" to see the ceremony. Sure, it'd be nice. I just don't think it's worth a uproar.

Originally Posted by: Zero2Cool 

Well, you'd invite us all to your wedding, won't you? 😇

Originally Posted by: zombieslayer 

Could this ruckus be caused by lockout boredom from the media.I'm sure the "Private" ceremony will be recorded for posterity.It will probably end up as an extra feature on some future Packer D.V.D.

Originally Posted by: SINCITYCHEEZE 

Packers' private ceremony doesn't have nice ring to it for fans

by Vic Carucci

The uproar from Green Bay Packers fans over the team's plans to keep its June 16 Super Bowl ring-presentation ceremony private is hardly a surprise.

Packers fans aren't just fans. Many are shareholders and, consequently, feel entitled to be a part of certain "official" team functions, especially those of the celebratory variety. To them, the ring ceremony isn't a whole lot different than attending the annual shareholders meeting, such as the one held last summer at Lambeau Field.

But to the Packers, it is very different. To the Packers, it is supposed to be something that only players, coaches and front-office staff members should share together without the presence of anyone who isn't part of the "family" as it exists inside the confines of the team facility. They're citing "past practices" as a reason to go with the private ceremony.

This likely wouldn't be an issue if it came up with the 31 other teams that operate as private businesses.

The Packers have an issue. It might not be a big one, but it exists because of their unique situation. For instance, there is nothing else in the NFL -- or any sports league, for that matter -- like the Packers' shareholders meeting. Shareholding fans gather in the stadium to hear from team president and CEO Mark Murphy, general manager Ted Thompson and coach Mike McCarthy, who are on a stage in the middle of the field.

The team's decision-makers don't reveal any trade secrets, but the mere presentation is enough to make the shareholders -- many of whom arrive early in the morning and tailgate as if they're awaiting the kickoff of a game -- feel special. I realize that the team wants the players, coaches and staff members who will receive rings to feel special, too, and that privacy might help ensure as much.

Still, there's a part of me that also wonders, particularly during these frustrating times of lockout limbo, if it would have been possible to at least involve the shareholders so they could feel that added sense of attachment to their favorite team.

NFL.com wrote:

I don't know if it's a slow news period, or just the media being the media. They won't let it go until the Packers change the decision and the media can declare victory.

I have no problem with the team keeping the ring ceremony within the small community of coaches and players who were directly involved. Not everything needs to be open to the public. We'll have opportunities to cheer the team.

Below is another article trying to stir the pot.

http://www.nfl.com/news/story/09000d5d820278a9/article/packers-private-ceremony-doesnt-have-nice-ring-to-it-for-fans 

Originally Posted by: macbob