Charley Trippi
Inducted:
1968
Player Stats
6 ft 0 in (1.83 m)
186 lb (84 kg)
Born:
December 14, 1921
Pittston, Pennsylvania, U.S.
Died:
October 19, 2022
Athens, Georgia, U.S.
Position:
Halfback
Quarterback
Punter
College:
Georgia (1942, 1945—1946)
Charley Trippi was one of the NFL’s most versatile and electrifying players, starring as a halfback, quarterback, and defensive back for the Chicago Cardinals. Drafted first overall in 1945, Trippi quickly made an impact with his rare combination of speed, agility, and football intelligence. He excelled in multiple phases of the game—running, passing, receiving, and returning kicks—making him one of the league’s first true all-purpose stars.
Trippi helped lead the Cardinals to their only NFL Championship in 1947, earning recognition as one of the era’s most complete athletes. His durability, leadership, and game-changing ability made him a standout in both regular and postseason play. Inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1968, Charley Trippi remains remembered as a pioneering two-way player whose skill set influenced the development of versatile offensive strategies in professional football.
Trippi's Awards and Honors
- NFL champion (1947)
- First-team All-Pro (1948)
- Second-team All-Pro (1947)
- 2× Pro Bowl (1952, 1953)
- NFL 1940s All-Decade Team
- 2× First-team All-SEC (1945, 1946)
NFL Records
- Only player to contribute significantly as runner, passer, receiver, and returner for Cardinals
- Key player in 1947 NFL Championship team
- Recognized as one of the first true two-way stars of the NFL
NFL Teams
Chicago Cardinals (1947–1955)
NFL Draft:
1945: 1st round, 1st overall pick
Chicago Cardinals
Number Worn:
62, 2
NFL Stats
Seasons:
9 (1947–1955)
Games Played:
99
Game Started:
76
Rushing yards:
3,506
Rushing average:
5.1
Passing yards:
2,547
TD–INT:
16–31
Receptions:
130
Receiving yards:
1,321
Return yards:
2,321
Total touchdowns:
37