Pa. boy returns Super Bowl ring to "The Fridge"

PITTSBURGH -- William "The Refrigerator" Perry, from the Chicago Bears in 1980s, has been reunited with his Super Bowl XX ring, thanks to a thoughtful 10-year-old, reports CBS station KDKA in Pittsburgh.

Young Cliff Forrest bought the ring at Mickey Mantle's restaurant.

"I saw that in New York and I really wanted the ring, and I took the money out of my savings account," he said.

He took $8,500 out of his college fund, which his father says he would not have approved.

"I would not have permitted the purchase myself, but his mother is a little more soft-hearted," said Cliff Forrest Sr.

The boy had heard about the '85 Bears team and admires Perry, and he clearly has a soft-heart, too, because he had an idea as soon as he heard about how Perry had lost the ring.

"I saw that he had a disease and that he had to sell it because of rough times, so I asked my dad if I could give the ring back to Mr. Perry."

"He said he wanted to give it back to him. He deserved it. He only won one Super Bowl. I thought that was a great, great thing," said Cliff's dad.

But it was easier said than done. Ten-year-old Cliff started making calls, but was told he couldn't meet Perry.

"The guy basically laughed at me and said no," he said.

Eventually, his mom got on the phone, and after some work, Cliff met Perry before an autograph session in Chicago.

"He was very appreciative and he said, 'Thank you'," said Cliff. Perry gave him two autographed jerseys that read: "The Fridge, Thanks!"

The 10-year-old also has the satisfaction of knowing he gave something special back to a sports hero who gave plenty to his fans.

"I asked Mr. Perry jokingly if he could still do the Super Bowl shuffle and he said, 'Oh yeah!'"

Perry was diagnosed in 2008 with Guillain-Barre Syndrome. That's when the body's immune system attacks part of the peripheral nervous system.

[avas12]

Umm while serious this disease is not fatal.Recovery can take weeks, months, or years. Most people survive and recover completely. A 10 year old boy? Give me a break.Done for publicity entirely, not so heartwarming at all. Sorry Charlie.

[RedDeath50]

The kid has two possible futures:

1) He will be the recipient of a Darwin Award. If not, then

2) He will have an illustrious career flipping burgers at Micky D's.

In either case, it is just further proof that Idiocracy runs rampant in the US!

[longtree-2009]

idiot kid. the mother was foolish to approve the withdrawal but hey, it's their money. the fridge can just pawn it again in the future. like that old saying grandpa is always quoting, something like...a fool and his money are soon parted. perhaps it applies, perhaps not. but it is their money, parents and child.

[slatep]

GOD will surely bless this child for his unselfish caring deed.
To those of you who submitted negative comments: where is your compassion for others.?
We are taught not to judge others lest we be judged.
You must have been absent that day.!

[tiredofthebs]

Darn! I been trying to buy one of these things FOREVER!!!! Bloggers ..... if you come across one, I will pay good money for it! The kid could probably get double on the open market.

[ttgjjj]

TO hrubysarered: I really agree with you. I judge that there are a lot of jealous people out there, although they may just be broke. Anyway its
's a better way to spend mney than on drugs or high-priced concerts.

[bigsk8fan]

don't tell a neocon about retired nfl stars and their health care. neocons are sure everyone has health care.

[cbs3lover]

Why don't those of you being rude open your hearts and be a little sensitive here?
The overall point is that this kid acted out of the goodness of his heart to return a treasured possession to its original owner who is suffering at a point in their life, especially a well-known person like William Perry who I have seen in the news after all these years after winning Super Bowl XX is a good man with a good heart.
Show some sensitivity here or stop being rude and do not comment at all!
(For those of you who commented respectfully...WELL THOUGHT OF.)

[tsigili]

Very bad reason to spend your college fund, kiddo.

[credibility2]

Here's a kid that was raised to be kind and considerate and selfless. What a wonderful thing for this kid to have done. The NFL and Bears should pony-up and do something very special for this kid. I have a signed photo by the Fridge. He was a gracious and dignified man that gave us Chicagoans much to be proud of with the 1986 Super Bowl win. I hope his health improves. God bless the kid and the Fridge.