MORGAN PARK — Former Chicago Bear Martellus Bennett posted a picture on social media Tuesday afternoon of the Morgan Park High School boys basketball team wearing their state championship rings.
"Chicago Public Schools didn't have the funds to purchase the rings and were trying to raise money to get em. So I bought em for em. I decided to design em too so these are very special, #martyland collection. Lol," Bennett said on Instagram.
Indeed, Bennett along with Chicago comedian Hannibal Buress and others pitched in to buy the rings for the Mustangs, who won the Class 3A state basketball championship March 18. Fenwick High School — which Morgan Park defeated (69-67) in overtime to take the state title — also made a donation.
Initially, school administrators said there was no money to buy rings for about 30 players, managers and coaches. Athletic director Michael Berger took to Twitter March 28, broadcasting the predicament of the school at 1744 W. Prior Ave.
He said in 2013 and 2014 Chicago Public Schools helped pay for the rings as well as the championship banners that hang in the gym. But the citywide budget crisis stood in the way of any such expense this year.
Berger's plea for the $11,000 needed to buy the rings and banner went viral. One week later, the school had enough donations to buy the rings.
Several players posted pictures of their new rings on Twitter. Here are a few of the posts:
— Ayo (I•Yo) 🦍 (@AyoDos_11) May 30, 2017
...... Beautiful 💍🙌🏾 pic.twitter.com/RBu3RCr3LZ
— T-Melly ‼️ (@TamellPearson) May 31, 2017
#BeGreat 😎 pic.twitter.com/0WhfXpc7uC
— NellyNell🐺 (@Henrylenell1000) May 30, 2017
