Former Buc ordered to surrender championship ring to pay attorney fees

Chidi Ahanotu said he does not have the money to pay the attorney fees.

By Jonathan Petramala, Reporter
Last Updated:

TAMPA --

Former NFL and Tampa Bay Buccaneer player Chidi Ahanotu has been ordered by a judge to give up the 2001 NFC Championship ring he won with the St. Louis Rams.

"I just can't understand how a judge would write that order and sign an order of that nature to take a man's once-in-a-lifetime accomplishment," Ahanotu said.

Judge Elizabeth Rice wrote the order to help cover part of his ex-wife's $95,000 in attorney fees that a judge back in 2007 ordered Ahanotu to pay.

Ahanotu said he doesn't have the money.

"At the time I'd been retired from the NFL for three years, and I hadn't made close to $100,000 up to that point," he said. "Since that time I still haven't made $100,000."

The Solomon Law Group is seeking the fees from Ahanotu. They say Ahanotu never appealed the judge's ruling. As a result, they said he is responsible for the money.

"He might not like the outcome, but that doesn't mean he doesn't owe the money," attorney Sandy Solomon said.

A hearing was held at the Hillsborough County Courthouse Thursday morning. Chidi was not to sent to jail, but the judge scheduled a second hearing for next week.

If Chidi does not bring the ring then, the judge may put him in jail.

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