Charlie Trippi, 100, died today. Until his passing he was the oldest member of The Pro Football Hall of Fame. Known for playing both offense and defense, as well as multiple positions on either in a game, he was considered to be one of the greatest ever all around athletes to play professional football.
Mr. Trippi was the MVP of the 1947 NFL Championship Game.He played for the Chicago Cardinals. They have not won the championship since Trippi was on the team. The team is now the Arizona Cardinals.
Before his storied pro career, Charlie Trippi was a 1st Team All-American playing in college for the University of Georgia Bulldogs. He starred on both the Bulldogs' 1942 and 1946 National Champion teams, and was MVP of the New Year's Day '43 Rose Bowl Game. Between '42 and '46, Trippi served in the US Navy for WWII. The Trippi led '42 Dawgs won the Rose Bowl, and '46 Dawgs won the Sugar Bowl on their way to SEC and national titles.
He was known to cut his own grass and garden at his home, well into his 90s. He lived just blocks from UGA's Sanford Stadium, where the Dawgs play.
I had the wonderful pleasure and honor to meet him.
