This handsome 1947 Chicago Cardinals “World Champions” 10K Gold and Diamond Player’s Ring belonged to Charles “Charley” Louis Trippi (born December 14, 1921). Trippi attended the University of Georgia and was a two-time All-American. He played for Georgia in 1942 and won the Maxwell Award in 1946. He was named Most Valuable Player in the 1943 Rose Bowl where Georgia defeated UCLA 9-0. His college years were interrupted by World War II, but he went back complete his career at Georgia by playing in 1945 and 1946. Charles W. Bidwell Sr. signed Trippi to a four-year contact with the Chicago Cardinals for the unheard of sum of $100,000. The Cardinals 1947 championship season was one of incredible joy and sorrow. Bidwell died in April, and his wife Violet took over as head of the franchise. The Cards got off to a fast start winning their first three outings, a run that included a 31-7 trouncing of their hated cross-town rivals, the Chicago Bears. In week four, the Cardinals headed to Los Angeles. They incurred their first loss of the season, 27-7 to the Rams, but lost something far more precious than a game. Rookie punter Jeff Burkett suffered an appendicitis attack and missed the game as well as the team plane back to Chicago. He spent several days recuperating after an appendectomy before boarding a United Airlines DC-6 back to Chicago. While en route, the plane crashed in Bryce Canyon, Utah, killing Burkett who was the NFL's leading punter at the time of the tragedy with a 47.4-yard average. On December 28th, the Cardinals defeated the Philadelphia Eagles, 28-21, in the 1947 NFL Championship Game at Comiskey Park. The field was frozen, but Trippi played magnificently. Trippi wore basketball shoes for better traction and totaled 206 yards, including 102 yards on two punt returns. He scored touchdowns on a 44-yard run and a 75-yard punt return. During his years with the Cardinals, Trippi showed his versatility as a pro football player. For four seasons, Trippi played as a left halfback before switching to quarterback for two seasons. He then moved back to offensive halfback for one season before changing to defensive in 1954 and 1955. He also was the Cardinals' punter and he excelled on the punt and kickoff return teams. Trippi is the only player in the Pro Football Hall of Fame (inducted in 1968) with 1000 yards of receiving, 1000 yards passing, and 1000 yards rushing. He was selected to play in two Pro Bowls (1952 and 1953) and is a three-time All-Pro selection (1947, 1948, 1952). His number #62 has been retired at the University of Georgia where has was also inducted into the Circle of Honor. Trippi received this handsome ring during the team’s 50 year reunion in Chicago. Ring weighs 27-grams and is approximately a size 10.25. (Since this ring is made of gold, it can be resized, either two-sizes up or down, without compromising the integrity of the ring. Changing the size of a ring can also affect the value.) If you are interested in this ring, or have any questions, please feel free to contact us at (949) 713-2890 or e-mail us at Support@ChampionshipRings.net.
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