Arthur Blank Took Issue with Robert Kraft's 283-Diamond Super Bowl Rings

As the New England Patriots prepare for Super Bowl LII, the Atlanta Falcons can only reflect on the championship that got away last year.

After the Patriots completed the largest comeback in Super Bowl history, everyone ran 28-3 jokes into the ground. That includes Patriots owner Robert Kraft, who funded championship rings made of 283 diamonds.

The reference did not sit well with Falcons owner Arthur Blank. Mark Leibovich wrote a thorough feature for the New York Times Magazine detailing the league's growing divide in light of Roger Goodell's contested contract extension during a season ripe with political discourse.

First, he documented a lighter anecdote involving the owners of last year's Super Bowl participants. Per Leibovich, Blank did not care for Kraft's ring dig.

"You didn't have to do the 28-3 in the ring," Blank told Leibovich. "It kind of pissed me off."

Before deeming this another chapter in a brewing civil war, Leibovich also described Blank's displeasure as a "minor beef" and said both owners went to dinner together in August.

Blank will join all non-Patriots fans in hoping the 283 diamonds officially retired all hackneyed 28-3 jokes. Kraft better hope the Patriots don't blow a lead against the Philadelphia Eagles this Sunday.

[New York Times Magazine, h/t Yahoo Sports]