Do Waterboys get rings?

An NFL franchise consists of several people. Some, like the players and a few coaches, are always in the spotlight and can be seen every game day. Others, such as the front office staff, back office staff, equipment managers, and other personnel, run the team and manage its various aspects. Then comes the Waterboys. The name Waterboy in the NFL can be misleading on several accounts. First, even though the name suggests a masculine profession, the position is not gender-specific. Second, waterboys generally need a formal education in sports medicine and health science. They are members of the training staff, and this is one of the entry-level jobs on offer. Several trainers have started their careers in this position before becoming professional trainers. The NFL requires all waterboys to be knowledgeable of the game, fit, and have a medicinal background. Their main duties involve keeping all the players sufficiently hydrated. The waterboy’s job is to fill all the bottles, hand out towels, and keep the players well hydrated, among other smaller tasks. The waterboy needs to be present on game day and during training sessions (via Pro Football Network).

A waterboys job is a full-time position with the team as they are required to work for a full 40 hours per week, especially during the NFL season. They are required to sign a contract and typically earn somewhere between $50,000-$60,000 annually. On the other hand, some waterboys may receive a small stipend or unpaid internships for their high school or college. Apart from the salary, waterboys also receive perks in the form of health insurance, mental health, and a dental package. They are also known to get various paid leaves throughout the year (via Pro Football Network).

Are the Waterboys eligible for rings?

Whether or not Waterboys get a Super Bowl ring is up to the franchise as there is no mandate put in place by the league as to who should or should not get a ring. The league for its part provides roughly $5,000-$7,000 per ring and for approximately 150 rings. The rest of the amount has to be borne by the franchise.

As these rings can cost anywhere between $30,000 to $50,000 per ring (via Sports Illustrated), not all franchises are willing to spend so much on all members of the staff so it completely depends on who will get a Super Bowl ring. Some franchises are known to hand out rings to the cheerleading squad, the mascot, and other personnel, however, no such mandate is in place.