Kris Jenkins, a former Villanova basketball star, is feeling quite thankful these days after a memorable incident involving his national championship ring. This cherished piece of jewelry, a symbol of his incredible shot that won the 2016 national title for the Wildcats, went missing during a visit to New Orleans for the Final Four.
While celebrating this achievement at Pat O’Brien’s, a well-known bar, Jenkins displayed his championship ring, only for it to vanish shortly thereafter. However, it wasn’t lost forever. Amazingly, a kind-hearted patron found the ring and recognized its significance, eventually passing it on to a fellow Villanova alum, Deirdre Keane.
Keane laughed as she recalled the moment, noting that she wore it around for a while but never managed to return it to Jenkins. “I kind of forgot to keep pursuing to get it back,” she admitted, reflecting on how life sometimes gets in the way of good intentions.
Fast forward to October 2022, when serendipity struck at a financial event where Villanova legends were present. During the gathering, Brian Harrington, a member of the 1985 championship team, made a surprising revelation: Keane had Jenkins’ lost ring. After confirming the details with Jenkins, plans were made to return the ring, but the process took longer than expected.
In a heartwarming twist, the ring finally made its way back to Jenkins in November 2024, just before he took on the role of color analyst during a St. John’s game. When he was reunited with it, Jenkins couldn’t help but smile, realizing the importance of the ring not just as a piece of jewelry, but as a connection to his team and his time at Villanova.
“It’s a beautiful thing that a Villanova Wildcat had it,” Jenkins said. “In our community, we always look out for each other.” The story of Jenkins and his lost ring is a testament to the enduring spirit of sportsmanship and camaraderie that characterizes the Villanova fanbase, better known as Nova Nation.
