Former Chicago Cardinals star Charley Trippi dies at age 100

Charley Trippi (left) (Wikimedia Commons)

According to Grant Gordon of nfl.com on Wednesday, former Chicago Cardinals legend Charley Trippi of Pittston, Pennsylvania passed away at the age of 100. Trippi played nine seasons in the National Football League with the Cardinals from 1947 to 1955.

What made Trippi so special is the fact he is the only member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame to have a minimum of 1000 yards passing, 1000 yards rushing and 1000 yards receiving in his career according to the Associated Press. Trippi had 3506 yards rushing, 1321 yards receiving, and 2547 yards passing. In 1948, Trippi’s 4.5 yards per rush led the NFL as he had 690 yards rushing on 128 carries. Known for his versatility, he was also an elite defensive back, punter and kick returner. One could simply ask what did Trippi not do in his career on the football field?

Trippi was part of the Cardinals team that won the 1947 NFL Championship Game. The Cardinals defeated the Philadelphia Eagles 28-21. The game was played at Comiskey Park in Chicago, which was best known for hosting the Chicago White Sox of Major League Baseball at the time.

Trippi played his college football at the University of Georgia. He was with the Bulldogs from 1942 to 1946 except for a time period in 1944 when he fought for the Allies in World War II.

The first overall pick in the 1945 NFL Draft, Trippi represented the Cardinals at the 1952 and 1953 Pro Bowl. At the time of his death, Trippi was the oldest person in the Pro Football Hall of Fame. The oldest person now is official Art McNally of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, who is 97 years old.

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