The National Football League (NFL) has partnered with renowned jeweler Leo Khusro to craft bespoke chains for this year's NFL Honors winners. Khusro, who has an established rapport with many of the nominees and awardees, was tasked with designing these exquisite pieces. Each necklace, meticulously made from 18-carat white gold and adorned with VVS-quality diamonds, commemorates the achievements of the eight major award recipients. The creation of each chain took approximately six days.
Khusro's work has been a familiar feature among football's elite, particularly with Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow. Known for his multiple Comeback Player of the Year victories, Burrow received a distinctive "CPOY" chain designed with two arrows resembling the reverse card from UNO. This particular design highlights Khusro's creativity and attention to detail. Another notable piece was made for Minnesota Vikings head coach Kevin O'Connell, whose Coach of the Year chain featured a whistle on the bail, symbolizing his leadership and strategic acumen.
To honor the winners appropriately, the NFL required Khusro to sign a nondisclosure agreement, ensuring the privacy of the awardees until the official announcements. This agreement extended to his presence at the Pro Bowl Games in Orlando, Florida, where he maintained secrecy about the winners.
In addition to Burrow, Khusro crafted a unique piece for Denver Broncos cornerback Pat Surtain II, this year's Defensive Player of the Year. The necklace, designed to resemble a PlayStation controller, captures Surtain's dynamic presence on the field. Khusro's connection to these athletes goes beyond professional; it's personal. Reflecting on his long-standing relationships with them, he expressed joy in witnessing their triumphs.
"It was such a beautiful thing to see the person in front of me that I've known for so long has won an award and it was just like, 'I don't want to ruin that moment for them,'" – Leo Khusro
The decision to create wearable art for these athletes ensures that they can showcase their accomplishments both during games and in everyday life.
"They decided to do the necklaces for these guys so that they can wear them in the games, they can wear them throughout the season, they can wear them in the day," – Leo Khusro
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