Connor Watson will leave the Sydney Roosters with a premiership ring from coach Trent Robinson, who gave him his NRL debut in 2016.
The ring is inscribed "coach", a detail Watson said would matter to him for years to come.
"In 30 years' time, when I've got grandkids, I'll be telling them that I've coached the Sydney Roosters," Watson said.
Watson missed the Roosters' grand final win over Newcastle after a head knock in the preliminary final put him inside the NRL's 11-day concussion standdown period.
The club sought permission for him to play, but the NRL refused its request.
Watson, 30, became the first player to miss a grand final because of concussion and said he held no ill feeling about the decision, delivered on Friday.
He had a few hours to absorb the disappointment before turning his attention to helping Beniah Ioelu prepare to replace him.
Ioelu offered Watson his own ring, but Watson declined after receiving Robinson's.
"he's been instrumental in my career" Watson said of Robinson, who has helped him develop during his two Roosters stints, spanning 127 games.
Watson will join St George Illawarra next season before moving to the PNG Chiefs.
"I'm not gonna lie I was gutted."