Charley Trippi, the oldest living NFL Hall of Famer, has sadly passed away aged 100. The former running back and quarterback spent his career with the Chicago Cardinals, now Arizona Cardinals, and became an NFL Champion in 1947 as he sadly passed away on Wednesday.
A versatile offensive and special teams player, Trippi would be used across the field at quarterback and running back as a dual threat option, whilst also returning punts and even filling in at defensive back during key plays.
The number one pick in the 1945 NFL Draft would spend four years as a Georgia Bulldog, as he lead the team to a 1943 Rose Bowl win over the UCLA Bruins - his number 62 remains retired at Georgia.
Although drafted in 1945, he would not make his debut with the Chicago Cardinals until 1947 because of World War II. Trippi would spent two of his college years serving in the military - as he would play for the 1944 Third Air Force team.
He was drafted whilst still serving in the military and would go on to have an incredible NFL career, making the Pro Bowl twice and 50 touchdowns across his career.
Trippi became only the second NFL Hall of Famer to reach the age of 100 last year after Clarence Parker, who passed away in 2013 at the age of 101.
Arizona Cardinals owner Michael Bidwell said: "Charley Trippi will always enjoy a special place in the history of the National Football League, the Cardinals franchise and especially in the hearts of our family.
"My grandfather signed him to be part of the 'Million-Dollar Backfield' and he was a key part of the Cardinals NFL championship team of 1947, my grandmother's first as owner and on which my dad was a ballboy.
"I had the pleasure of getting to know Charley in more recent years and hearing his stories from such an important time for the Cardinals and the NFL. Our condolences go out to the Trippi family and especially to the University of Georgia community to which he had such a strong connection."
