Former Wash star Arrington shows off his Super Bowl ring to the home folks

CEDAR RAPIDS - Adrian Arrington pulled out the bling Friday night.

The New Orleans Saints wide receiver proudly showed off his 2010 Super Bowl ring to friends and family in attendance to watch him and seven others get inducted into Cedar Rapids Washington's Athletics Hall of Fame. This thing was so sparkly and so large, he probably had to go through several weight-training sessions just to be able to lift it.

“First time I've ever worn it,” Arrington said with a smile. “It's always in a safe-deposit box at the bank.”

It's been an interesting professional football career for the former Michigan Wolverine. He was taken in the seventh round of the 2008 draft by the Saints but has spent most of his time inactive and on the team's practice squad.

Arrington, 26, has nine career catches for 110 yards, two for 31 this past season. He played in New Orleans' divisional playoff loss to San Francisco, finishing with one catch for 14 yards.

Unfortunately, he has been buried on a depth chart with a plethora of good receivers like Robert Meachem, Marques Colston and Devery Henderson. Despite chances to go elsewhere, Arrington has continued to pledge his allegiance to New Orleans.

“I've had chances to go to Minnesota, St. Louis, Arizona,” he said. “At the time, it's always felt like this was where I'm supposed to be.”

Arrington is a restricted free agent who said he plans to sign a one-year deal to return to the Saints. He said the club wants him to sign a two-year contract, but he doesn't want to do that because he'll be an unrestricted free agent next offeseason.

He said being a part of quarterback Drew Brees' record-breaking passing season was a thrill, calling Brees “a great guy, a great leader.”

“You know, my career has been a wild ride, that's for sure,” Arrington said. “Saying that I'm going into my fifth season in the NFL is an unbelievable accomplishment. I'm very proud of that.”