Charley Trippi

The quintuple-threat who led the Cardinals to a championship and set the NFL total offense record.

Charley Trippi was an American professional football player for the Chicago Cardinals of the National Football League (NFL) from 1947 to 1955. Primarily a halfback, his versatility allowed him to fill multiple roles including quarterback, safety, punter, and return specialist. A "quintuple-threat," Trippi was adept at running, catching, passing, punting, and defense.

Quick Facts

Role: Halfback
Draft year: 1945
Draft pick: 1st overall
Drafting team: Chicago Cardinals
College: Georgia

Lore & Background

Trippi attended the University of Georgia, playing for the Georgia Bulldogs from 1942 to 1946 with an interlude in 1944 for military service. As a sophomore, he guided Georgia to victory in the 1943 Rose Bowl and was named the game's most valuable player. As a senior in 1946, he won the Maxwell Award, was named SEC player of the year, and earned first-team unanimous All-America recognition. Drafted first overall by the Cardinals as a future pick in the 1945 NFL draft, he signed a record $100,000 contract. As a rookie, he led Chicago's "Million Dollar Backfield" to victory in the 1947 NFL Championship Game. By the time he retired, he had compiled the most yards of total offense by a player in NFL history. He was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 1959 and the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1968.

Reader's Guide

Trippi led the NFL in all-purpose yards in both 1948 and 1949. He led the league in rushing yards per carry in 1948 and in punt return touchdowns that same year. He was a first-team All-Pro selection for 1948 by multiple organizations.

Did You Know?

Trippi played semi-professional baseball while in high school.
He participated in the Chicago College All-Star Game a record five times.
He served as Georgia's baseball coach between NFL seasons in 1948 and 1949.
Trippi wore basketball shoes for better traction during the 1947 NFL Championship Game on an icy field.