Legendary returning cardinals and the oldest living Hall of Famer, Charley Trippi, died Wednesday at his Georgia home, his former alma mater announced Wednesday. He was 100.
Georgia Athletics released a statement confirming that Trippi, who led the Bulldogs to a 9-0 win over the UCLA Bruins in the 1943 Rose Bowl game in which he rushed 130 yards, was peaceful at home in Athens died.
Chicago Cardinals halfback Charley Trippi, along with Vic Schwall (37), Bill Campbell (53), and Vince Banonis (32) on the bench during a 45-to-21 loss to the Washington Redskins on November 23, 1947 in Griffith Stadium in Washington, DC (Nate Fine/Getty Images)
“Charley Trippi will always have a special place in the history of the National Football League, the Cardinals franchise and especially in the hearts of our family,” Cardinals owner Michael Bidwill said in a statement.
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“My grandfather signed him to be a part of the ‘million-dollar backfield,’ and he was a key part of the 1947 Cardinals NFL championship team, my grandmother’s first as owner and my father’s ball boy. I’ve had the pleasure of meeting Charley over the past few years and hearing his stories of such an important time for the Cardinals and the NFL.”
Chicago Cardinals halfback Charley Trippi tries to avoid being hit by Rams defenseman Pat Harder (34) in a 27-to-22 win over the Los Angeles Rams on October 31, 1948 at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum in Los Angeles, California. to be attacked. (Vic Stein/Getty Images)
Trippi played for Georgia University in 1942 and was named Rose Bowl MVP in his sophomore season as the Bulldogs went 11-1. His college career was put on hiatus after being called to service in World Word II.
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He returned in 1946 and was a unanimous All-America selection and helped Georgia to a perfect record and an SEC championship. He finished the season with 744 rushing and 622 passing yards and finished second in the Heisman Trophy.
Charley Trippi #62 of the Chicago Cardinals, circa 1953 in Chicago, Illinois. Trippi played for the Cardinals from 1947 to 1955. (Sporting News via Getty Images via Getty Images)
Drafted first overall by the Cardinals in 1945 as a future pick, Trippi played his debut season in 1947 when he scored two touchdowns to help win the championship game. During his nine-year career with the Cardinals, he played mostly halfback, but switched to quarterback for one season.
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A two-time Pro Bowler, Trippi finished his career with 3,506 rushing yards, 1,321 receiving yards and 2,547 passing yards. He remains the only Hall of Famer with at least 1,000 yards each for receiving, passing and rushing.