By Darin Born on December 14, 1921, in Pittston, Pennsylvania, Charley Trippi was the ultimate football renaissance man. His legend began at the University of Georgia, where he stepped in for the injured Frank Sinkwich to lead the Bulldogs to a 9-0 Rose Bowl victory over UCLA, earning MVP honors. After his collegiate career, which included a remarkable tenure interrupted by WWII service, Trippi made history by becoming one of the highest-paid pros behind only Red Grange, anchoring the Chicago Cardinals’ famous “Dream Backfield” and securing the 1947 NFL Championship with a performance for the ages.
Football bio
December 14, 1921 – Pittston, Pennsylvania – Charley Trippi, the Georgia Bulldogs great halfback, was born. The NFF starts its bio of Charley with the story of the 1943 Rose Bowl game, in which Georgia faced UCLA.
The Bulldogs faced a disadvantage, as All-America runner Frank Sinkwich was injured and couldn’t play. The substitute was Trippi, who became the game’s MVP by helping the Dogs overcome adversity and defeat the Bruins 9-0. After some great seasons at Georgia, which were interrupted by WWII service, Trippi set his Bulldog legend in his senior year.
Charley led Georgia to a perfect 10-0 regular season. The amazing halfback won the Sugar Bowl for Georgia with a touchdown pass to Dan Edwards, sealing a 20-10 victory over North Carolina. The National Football Foundation selected Charley Trippi to enter the College Football Hall of Fame in 1959. Trippi may be the only player to have ever played in four Chicago College All-Star games as a collegian—two with the Bulldogs, two while in the service, and a fifth as a professional.
The Pro Football Hall of Fame tells an interesting story about Charley after college. The AAFC’s New York Yankees were about to announce him as their newest player. At the last minute, they learned that Charles Bidwell Senior of the Chicago Cardinals had signed Trippi to a four-season, $100,000 contract. This made him the second-highest-paid pro at the time, behind only Red Grange. Bidwell was billing it the “Dream Back Field.” Trippi was to join Cardinals greats Paul Christman, Pat Harder, Marshall Goldberg, and, later, Elmer Angsman. However, Mr. Bidwell died before ever seeing them play together. The Dream Backfield met expectations, and the Cardinals captured the 1947 NFL Championship by defeating the Philadelphia Eagles 28-21.
Trippi wore basketball shoes to gain traction on the icy surface of Comiskey Park. He rushed for 206 total yards and two scores. The Pro Football Hall of Fame enshrined him in 1968.
Conclusion
From an MVP performance in the Rose Bowl to securing the 1947 NFL Championship while wearing basketball shoes on an icy field, Charley Trippi’s career was defined by versatility, resilience, and brilliance. As a rare collegiate player to appear in four Chicago College All-Star games, he consistently proved his value in every setting. Trippi’s unique path from a wartime interruption to becoming the second-highest-paid player in the league cemented his status as a football icon, earning him enshrinement in the College Football Hall of Fame (1959) and the Pro Football Hall of Fame (1968), a truly fitting dual honor for one of the game’s greatest two-way talents.
Accolades and Football Accomplishments
- Pro Football Hall of Fame: Class of 1968
- College Football Hall of Fame: Class of 1959
- 1943 Rose Bowl MVP: Led Georgia to a 9-0 victory over UCLA.
- Sugar Bowl Champion: Won the game for Georgia with a touchdown pass, sealing a 20-10 victory over North Carolina (Senior Year).
- NFL Champion: Won the 1947 NFL Championship with the Chicago Cardinals (defeating the Philadelphia Eagles 28-21).
- Notable Contract: Signed a four-season, $100,000 contract with the Chicago Cardinals, making him the second-highest-paid pro player behind Red Grange at the time.
- Collegiate Career: University of Georgia halfback, interrupted by WWII service.
- All-Star Appearances: May be the only player to have played in four Chicago College All-Star games as a collegian, plus a fifth as a professional.
- Teams: Chicago Cardinals (Professional)
