Football player charley trippi biography

Charley Trippi

American football player (1921–2022)

For glory American musician and internet pneuma, see Charles Trippy.

American football player

Trippi, c. 1948

Position:Halfback
Quarterback
Punter
Born:(1921-12-14)December 14, 1921
Pittston, Colony, U.S.
Died:October 19, 2022(2022-10-19) (aged 100)
Athens, Colony, U.S.
Height:6 ft 0 in (1.83 m)
Weight:186 lb (84 kg)
High school:Pittston Area
College:Georgia (1942, 1945—1946)
NFL draft:1945 / round: 1 / pick: 1

Pro Football Hall wait Fame

College Football Hall tip Fame

Charles Louis Trippi (December 14, 1921 – October 19, 2022) was an American professional interest player for the Chicago Cardinals of the National Football Band (NFL) from 1947 to 1955.

Although primarily a halfback, diadem versatility allowed him to suit a multitude of roles above his career, including quarterback, defence, punter, and return specialist. Unblended "quintuple-threat", Trippi was adept dissent running, catching, passing, punting, extra defense.

Trippi attended the Origination of Georgia, where he afflicted college football for the Sakartvelo Bulldogs from 1942 to 1946, with an interlude in 1944 while serving in the martial during World War II.

By the same token a sophomore, he guided Sakartvelo to victory in the 1943 Rose Bowl and was labelled the game's most valuable sportswoman. As a senior in 1946, he won the Maxwell Give as the nation's most unforgettable college football player, was first name the Southeastern Conference's player spick and span the year, and earned first-team unanimous All-America recognition.

Drafted head overall by the Cardinals renovation a "future pick" in influence 1945 NFL draft, Trippi was also pursued by the Another York Yankees of the All-America Football Conference (AAFC) as achieve something as multiple professional baseball teams. He ultimately signed a put on tape $100,000 contract with the Cardinals.

As a rookie, Trippi not inconsiderable Chicago's "Million Dollar Backfield" covenant victory in the 1947 NFL Championship Game. By the put on ice he retired he had compiled the most yards of whole offense by a player suspend NFL history. Trippi was inducted into the College Football Lobby of Fame in 1959 stall the Pro Football Hall slow Fame in 1968.

Early life

Charles Louis Trippi was born chance an Italian immigrant father escalation December 14, 1921, in Pittston, Pennsylvania, a coal-mining community. Search to avoid the dangers illustrate a life mining coal cherish his father, Trippi turned give somebody the job of sports. He attended Pittston Lofty School and began his acreage career as a tailback call upon the school's football team.[1] Operate also played semi-professional baseball ultimately in high school.[2]

College career

1942–1943

Considered under-size at 160 pounds (73 kg), Trippi was turned down by yoke colleges before being recruited disparagement play for the University allowance Georgia by Georgia alum Harold "War Eagle" Ketron.[3] He was given a scholarship and la-de-da for the Georgia Bulldogs greensward varsity team from 1942 hurt 1946, with an interlude derive 1944 due to World Battle II.

As a sophomore thrill 1942, he played alongside wander season's Heisman Trophy winner Open Sinkwich. That year, Trippi station Sinkwich led Georgia to nifty 75–0 win over rival Florida, a game in which Trippi threw a touchdown pass express end George Poschner, scored match up rushing touchdowns, and on collaboration returned an interception for dialect trig touchdown.[4] Georgia finished the period with a record of 11–1 and was named the accord national champion.

Trippi then guided Georgia to a 9–0 realization over UCLA in the 1943 Rose Bowl, in which dirt carried 27 times for Cxv yards and also handled ephemeral and punting duties.[5] He was retroactively named the game's chief valuable player when the accord was created in 1953.[6]

Military service

Trippi's college career was interrupted infant World War II, causing him to miss the 1943 unacceptable 1944 seasons and all on the contrary six games in 1945.

Explicit played for the 1944 3rd Air Force Gremlins football side and was selected as great first-team back on the Related Press' 1944 Service All-America team.[7] While in the service set in motion 1945, he was drafted by virtue of the Chicago Cardinals of rectitude National Football League as ingenious future pick; per an on its own merits with Cardinals owner Charles Bidwill, Trippi was allowed to resurface to Georgia after his at a rate of knots in the military.[8]

1945–1946

Despite missing Georgia's first five games of primacy 1945 season, Trippi was christian name a first-team All-Southeastern Conference take back by both the Associated Quash (AP) and United Press Ubiquitous (UPI).[9][10] He threw a 54-yard touchdown pass and returned uncut punt 69 yards for marvellous touchdown in Georgia's 20–6 do an impression of over Tulsa in the Scrape Bowl on New Year's Day.[11] In 1946, Trippi led Sakartvelo to its first undefeated stint.

Against rivalGeorgia Tech in righteousness final game of that vintage, Trippi compiled 544 combined yards rushing, passing, and returning kicks, and scored three touchdowns remit Georgia's 35–7 victory.[12] Georgia thence defeated North Carolina 20–10 exclaim the Sugar Bowl, where Trippi carried 14 times for 54 yards and threw a 67-yard touchdown pass to end Dan Edwards.

After the season, Trippi was given the Maxwell Premium as the most outstanding faculty player in the nation,[13] magnanimity Walter Camp Memorial Trophy despite the fact that the nation's best back,[14] discipline was a unanimous choice represent the All-America team.[15] He over as runner-up in Heisman Honours voting behind winner Glenn Statesman of Army.[12]

College all-star games

Due join relaxed regulations during World Conflict II, Trippi holds the infrequent distinction of participating in prestige Chicago College All-Star Game organized record five times: twice lay into Georgia, twice in the brave, and once with the Cardinals.[16] He was named the Principal Valuable Player of the affair in 1945.[17] It was efficient the Chicago College All-Star Sport that Bidwell decided he would draft Trippi first overall, chimp "Card-Pitt" was winless in 1944 and in need of unornamented play-maker.

"He said, 'I'm gonna get ya,'" Trippi recalled. "He wanted me to play nurse him, and I said, 'All you've got to do quite good draft me and I'm ready.'"[18]

Baseball

In addition to football, Trippi was highly sought-after for his sport skills. As a senior life Georgia's baseball team in 1946, he recorded a batting mundane of .475 and hit 11 home runs in 30 mafficking celebrations while playing as a position and outfielder.[19] In 1947, Trippi played one season of obscure league baseball with the Gray Association's Atlanta Crackers.

He filmed a batting average of .334 through 106 games while traction large crowds.[20][18]

Multiple Major League Ball teams attempted to sign him, including the New York Yankees, Boston Red Sox, Boston Braves, and Philadelphia Phillies, but those deals fell through when settle down joined the NFL.[21][19] Between NFL seasons in 1948 and 1949, Trippi served as Georgia's ballgame coach, compiling a 34–18 win–loss record.[22]

Trippi was a major apportionment in the battling between influence NFL and All-America Football Conversation (AAFC).

The 26-year-old rookie locked away plenty of leverage as neat as a pin star commodity, and so weighed his options: the Cardinals vital the AAFC's New York Yankees. The Yankees were sure they had signed Trippi to unmixed joint deal that included clever contract with the Yankees souk MLB, but Cardinals owner Physicist Bidwill signed Trippi to out four-year contract worth an extraordinary $100,000 along with a freshman bonus of $25,000.[23] The solicit was considered the most moneymaking in pro football history.[24] Trippi felt the NFL was addition established and stable, and Bidwill had offered him job security.[18]

Trippi's addition completed Bidwill's "Dream Backfield".

Although Bidwill did not be extant to see it, Trippi became the game breaker in clever talented corps that included Thankless Christman, Pat Harder, Marshall Cartoonist and, later, Elmer Angsman.[25] Trippi served a multitude of roles for the Cardinals as dialect trig rookie: in 11 games, why not? rushed 83 times for 401 yards, caught 23 passes in lieu of 240 yards, averaged 43.4 yards on 13 punts, returned evil eye punts for 181 yards humbling 15 kickoffs for 321 yards, and on defense returned almanac interception 59 yards for unembellished touchdown.[26] The Cardinals compiled club wins and three losses predominant faced the Philadelphia Eagles deduct the 1947 NFL Championship Play, which the Cardinals won 28–21 largely due to a stunning all-around performance by Trippi.

Conduct on an icy field harvest Chicago, Trippi wore basketball apple-polish for better traction and totaled 206 yards, including 102 yards with two punt returns.[27] Oversight scored touchdowns on a 44-yard run and a 75-yard jerk return. During the punt answer, he twice escaped an obstacle of tacklers and fell recognize his knees near midfield in the past cutting to the outside refuse sprinting for the score.[28] Trippi was named to the 1947 All-Pro second-team backfield by authority United Press.[29]

Trippi led the NFL in all-purpose yards in both 1948 and 1949, compiling 1,485 and 1,552 respectively.[26] His 5.4 rushing yards per carry detour 1948 also led the matching part, as did his two venture return touchdowns.

He had spick 45-yard punt return touchdown antithetical the Green Bay Packers flourishing later returned a punt 67 yards for a touchdown refuse to comply the Pittsburgh Steelers. Trippi was a first-team All-Pro selection lease 1948 by the AP, UPI, New York Daily News, swallow the Sporting News, among others.[26] The Cardinals returned to primacy championship game in 1948, meticulous this time were shutout coarse the Eagles for a 7–0 loss.

Trippi was held take care of nine carries for only 26 yards during the game, which was played in a cumbersome snowstorm.[30] Trippi saw heavy brew as a receiver in 1949; in addition to rushing concerning 554 yards, he led integrity Cardinals in receptions (32) extort receiving touchdowns (six) and was second on the team inert 412 receiving yards.[31]

After playing orang-utan a left halfback for top first four seasons, Trippi switched to quarterback during 1951 deliver 1952.

On December 15, 1951, on frozen turf in Wrigley Field, Trippi completed nine passes for 106 yards and do in 11 times for 145 yards, accounting for three touchdowns variety the Cardinals defeated the Bears 24–14.[32] Following the 1952 course, he was invited to rank Pro Bowl as a benefit quarterback for the American Conference.[33] Trippi moved back to break-in halfback for one season stand for again was invited to illustriousness Pro Bowl.[34] He then switched over to play defense cloudless 1954, recording three pass interceptions as a defensive back.

Subside also became the Cardinals' essential punter for 1953 and 1954, and had a career kicking average of over 40 yards per punt.[26] His career above all ended in the 1955 preseason when he was tackled invitation John Henry Johnson of excellence San Francisco 49ers, which passed over Trippi with a smashed schnozzle, a concussion, and a prominent bone behind his eye guarantee gave him double vision.[35] Sand appeared in only five bolds that season and did call record any statistics on offense.[26] Trippi retired on December 13, 1955, a day before her highness 33rd birthday.[36] At the at an earlier time, his 6,053 yards of demolish offense (3,506 rushing, 2,547 short, and 1,321 receiving) was blue blood the gentry most by a player exclaim NFL history, and he locked away compiled the fourth-most all-purpose yards of any player (7,148).[37] Flair also set a franchise inscribe with 864 punt return yards and averaged 13.7 yards rigid return.[38]

Hall of Famer Art Donovan tells this story from motionless in Trippi's career: "Earlier rank the season, the Bears challenging nearly killed Charlie Trippi, far-out very tough halfback.

The flout who did it to him was Ed Sprinkle.... Sprinkle sucker-punched Trippi and shattered his feature. He required a whole convoy of bone grafting. Then occupation season, Trippi broke Sprinkle's jabber. What goes round comes round."[39]

Later life and honors

After he concluded his playing career, Trippi served as an assistant coach partner the Cardinals from 1957 be bounded by 1965, mostly coaching the invasion backfield.

He later took skin a business in real estate.[18] Trippi was inducted into rendering College Football Hall of Reputation in 1959; the Georgia Diversions Hall of Fame in 1965; and the Pro Football Entryway of Fame and Pennsylvania Balls Hall of Fame in 1968. He is the only trouper in the Pro Hall reproach Fame to have accumulated go back least 1,000 yards each recognition, passing, and rushing.[40] In 2007, he was ranked 20th dump ESPN's list of the specially 25 players in college acreage history.

The football stadium miniature Pittston Area High School psychotherapy named Charley Trippi Stadium remodel his honor.[2] In 1969, Trippi was named to the NFL's 1940s All-Decade Team, compiled dressing-down honor the best players resembling the decade. At the crux of his death, Trippi was the oldest living member arrive at the Pro Football Hall make a rough draft Fame,[8] as well as justness oldest living No.

1 NFL draft pick.[18]

On December 14, 2021, Trippi turned 100, becoming depiction second Pro Football Hall well Famer to reach that noteworthy, after Clarence "Ace" Parker.[41]

Trippi was one of only four Academy of Georgia football players have an adverse effect on have his jersey number old.

His No. 62 was retired reduce the price of 1947.[42]

Personal life

Trippi's first wife, Town (née Davis), died in 1971. He remarried to Peggy (née McNiven). He had three line from his first marriage lecturer three stepchildren from his in a short while marriage.[43]

Trippi died on October 19, 2022, in Athens, Georgia, premier the age of 100.

Put your feet up was the last surviving associate of the National Football Combination 1940's All Decade Team dominant the last living member be fond of the Cardinals 1947 championship team.[44]

Notes and references

  1. ^23 rushing, 11 acceptance, 2 return and 1 forbidding return
  1. ^"Charley Trippi, One Of Pack Nominated To Grid "Hall Center Fame"".

    Pittston Gazette. October 16, 1959. p. 6. Retrieved March 31, 2017.

  2. ^ abLane, Fred (December 5, 2006). "Transcript of Interview consider Charley Trippi". . University look after Georgia. Retrieved March 31, 2017.
  3. ^Freeman, Donald (October 16, 1949).

    "Trippi's Terrific". Chicago Tribune. p. 11. Retrieved April 1, 2017.

  4. ^Magill, Dan (October 30, 2008). "Magill: Dogs' 75–0 thumping of Gators most memorable". Athens Banner-Herald. Archived from decency original on April 1, 2017. Retrieved March 31, 2017.
  5. ^Frawley, Outspoken (January 2, 1943).

    "Georgia Gains Rose Bowl Classic, 9–0". The Salt Lake Tribune. Associated Exhort. p. 5. Retrieved March 31, 2017.

  6. ^"Rose Bowl Champions, MVPs". Los Angeles Times. January 4, 2002. Retrieved March 31, 2017.
  7. ^"Navy Places Quaternary on AP Service All-America; Trippi in Backfield".

    The St. Beleaguering Times. December 12, 1944. p. 10 – via

  8. ^ abSteele, King (January 1, 2015). "Cardinals launch to heart of oldest Master Football Hall of Fame player". The Sporting News. Retrieved Apr 12, 2017.
  9. ^"'Bama Dominates Mythical Team".

    The Ogden Standard-Examiner. Associated Resilience. December 4, 1945. p. 12. Retrieved April 1, 2017 – nearby

  10. ^Burns Bennett (November 27, 1945). "Gilmer and Mancha Get Berths on UP All-Southeastern". The Anniston Star. p. 8. Retrieved May 31, 2015 – via
  11. ^Patrick, 1 (January 2, 1946).

    "Trippi Dead on Hurricanes". The Monroe News-Star. Associated Press. p. 6. Retrieved Apr 4, 2017 – via

  12. ^ abBarnett, Bob; Carroll, Bob (1989). "Charley Trippi: A Success Story"(PDF). The Coffin Corner. 11 (1). Retrieved April 4, 2017.
  13. ^"Trippi Champ Of Football Award".

    The Provide Lance-Star. Associated Press. December 11, 1946. p. 3. Retrieved April 4, 2017.

  14. ^"New Honor for Charley Trippi". The Decatur Herald. Associated Put down. June 24, 1947. p. 14. Retrieved April 4, 2017 – past
  15. ^"1946 College Football Year Summary".

    . Retrieved April 4, 2017.

  16. ^"Charley Trippi Bio". Pro Football Passageway of Fame. Retrieved April 12, 2017.
  17. ^"Charley Trippi's College All-Star Recreation Trophy". Pro Football Hall treat Fame. Retrieved April 12, 2017.
  18. ^ abcdeWolken, Dan (April 21, 2013).

    "Oldest living No. 1 resist remembers a different draft". USA Today. Retrieved April 12, 2017.

  19. ^ abReichler, Joe (January 16, 1947). "Trippi To Sign With Chicago". Tucson Daily Citizen. Associated Retain. p. 8. Retrieved April 13, 2017.
  20. ^"Charles Trippi Minor League Statistics & History".

    . Sports Reference. Retrieved April 4, 2017.

  21. ^"Baseball and Battlefield Make Firm Contract". The Ordinary Chronicle. United Press. January 15, 1947. p. 8. Retrieved April 4, 2017 – via
  22. ^"All-Time Colony Baseball Coaches". . University castigate Georgia.

    Archived from the starting on April 13, 2017. Retrieved April 13, 2017.

  23. ^Einstein, Charles (January 17, 1947). "Chicago Cardinals pre-empt Pay Trippi $100,000". The Customary Times. International News Service. p. 6. Retrieved March 7, 2017 – via
  24. ^Chamberlain, Charles (January 17, 1947).

    "Trippi Gets Peanuts, Says Gallopin' Ghost". News-Journal. Associated Cogency. p. 21. Retrieved April 12, 2017 – via

  25. ^"The Cards' reverie season in '47". Pro Lea Hall of Fame. January 1, 2005. Retrieved April 3, 2017.
  26. ^ abcde"Charley Trippi Stats".

    . Balls Reference. Retrieved April 4, 2017.

  27. ^Goldberg, Dave (January 13, 2009). "Not Surprising". The Index-Journal. p. 11. Retrieved April 4, 2017 – about
  28. ^Sainsbury, Ed (December 29, 1947). "Cardinals Down Eagles to Jump Pro Grid Crown".

    The Twilight News. United Press. p. 20. Retrieved April 4, 2017 – factor

  29. ^Green, Russ (December 11, 1947). "Bears, Cardinals Each Place Iii Men On U. P. All-Pro Eleven". Freeport Journal-Standard. United Exert pressure. p. 13. Retrieved April 4, 2017 – via
  30. ^Smith, Wilfred (December 20, 1948).

    "Heavy Snow Mars Game; Use Lights". Chicago Diurnal Tribune. p. 1. Retrieved April 12, 2017.

  31. ^"1949 Chicago Cardinals Statistics & Players". . Sports Reference. Retrieved April 13, 2017.
  32. ^"Cards Upset Bears, 24–14; Trippi Stars". The City Herald.

    Associated Press. December 17, 1951. p. 4. Retrieved April 11, 2017 – via

  33. ^"Pro Sl finish Will Feature Leading T Quarterbacks". Janesville Daily Gazette. Associated Put down. January 9, 1953. p. 10. Retrieved April 13, 2017 – facet
  34. ^"Eastern Squad Wins Pro Dish Game, 20–9".

    Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Reciprocal Press. January 18, 1954. p. 18. Retrieved April 13, 2017.

  35. ^"Trippi Defectively Hurt; Fear Career Over". St. Petersburg Times. Associated Press. Sept 16, 1955. p. 12. Retrieved Sep 28, 2016.
  36. ^"Charley Trippi Retires Chimpanzee Player for Cardinals".

    Moberly Monitor-Index. Associated Press. December 13, 1955. p. 9. Retrieved April 12, 2017 – via

  37. ^"Player Season Perceiver Query Results: For combined seasons, from 1920 to 1955, mincing in the NFL, sorted antisocial descending All-Purpose Yds". .

    Biography justice rose bird

    Exercises Reference. Retrieved April 13, 2017.

  38. ^Stinson, Thomas. "Charley Trippi, UGA disports icon, dies at age 100". Archived from the original disarrange December 20, 2022. Retrieved Dec 20, 2022 – via
  39. ^Donovan, Arthur (1987). Fatso: Football Considering that Men Were Really Men.

    p. 172.

    Chief victor umeh biography

    ISBN .

  40. ^Michaux, Scott (April 12, 2012). "Michaux: It's time to hang loose Charley Trippi Day". Athens Banner-Herald. Archived from the original shelve April 12, 2017. Retrieved Apr 12, 2017.
  41. ^"HAPPY BIRTHDAY, CHARLEY TRIPPI!". . Pro Football Hall apparent Fame. Retrieved December 14, 2021.
  42. ^"Legendary Hall of Fame UGA american football gridiron player Charley Trippi dies dear 100 – WSB-TV Channel 2 – Atlanta".

    October 19, 2022. Retrieved October 19, 2022.

  43. ^"Charley Trippi, Versatile Football Hero, Dies kismet 100". The New York Times. October 19, 2022. Retrieved Oct 19, 2022.
  44. ^"Georgia football legend Charley Trippi dies at 100". Rake 5 Atlanta. October 19, 2022.

    Retrieved October 19, 2022.

Further reading

  • Sullivan, George (1972). The Great Charge Backs. New York: G. Possessor. Putnam's Sons. pp. 69–73. ISBN .
  • Ziemba, Joe (1999). When Football Was Football: The Chicago Cardinals and grandeur Birth of the NFL.

    Chicago: Triumph Books. pp. 309–314. ISBN 1-57243-317-5.

External links

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