Florida State celebrates 'state championship' with bowl ring

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (AP) - Florida State players have received their Peach Bowl rings, not to mark losing that game to Houston but in celebration of winning the mythical Sunshine State title.

The Seminoles defeated Miami, Florida and South Florida last season and were presented the rings last week.

The rings became a topic of conversation on social media with people questioning why Florida State would reward itself for a mythical championship, especially with its success under coach Jimbo Fisher. The Seminoles won their third national championship in 2013 and the Atlantic Coast Conference title three of the past four seasons.

Fisher has stressed winning in the Sunshine State. The Seminoles have won six straight against the Hurricanes and five of the last six versus the Gators.

One side of the Florida State bowl ring has the Peach Bowl logo and score. The Seminoles, who finished the season 10-3, lost to the Cougars 38-24.

According to a purchase order supplied by the university, Florida State spent $234 on each of the 265 rings ($62,010 total). NCAA rules specify that a team can spend up to $400 per player on a gift and often the gift is a ring.

Schools have given rings to players even when they have been postseason eligible. Ohio State did it after the Buckeyes went 12-0 in 2012 and North Carolina gave rings to players celebrating a Coastal Division title that same year, even though the Tar Heels couldn't participate in the ACC title game due to NCAA violations.