Question: Why can't Ace just ask every football player to show their rings to him instead of just going through all that trouble tricking them while investigating?
Answer:If people catch on to what he's doing, it could possibly tip off the culprit and give him time to hide evidence. Also, it's a silly movie and this is about comedy, not logic.
Answer: We're never told. Nothing important since it was just a ruse to snatch the dog.
Brian Katcher