Charley Trippi, photo courtesy of University of Georgia
2 – Charlie Trippi
Signed for Georgia out of Pittston, Pennsylvania by Coca-Cola Bottler Harold Ketron, Charlie Trippi supplanted eventual Heisman Trophy winner, Frank Sinkwich, as single wing tailback halfway through the 1942 season. With Sinkwich at fullback, the pair led Georgia to an undefeated season and SEC Championship before beating UCLA in the Rose Bowl.
In 1945, Trippi returned after World War II to play six games at halfback in Wally Butts newfangled T-formation. In 1946, Trippi captured the Maxwell Award as the nation’s best player, leading the Dawgs to an undefeated season.
Trippi was the number one overall draft choice by the Chicago Cardinals, a college and NFL Hall of Famer, two-time All-American and All SEC, one of four Georgia players to have their jersey retired, and is undefeated against Georgia Tech by a combined score of 102-7.
While renowned as an offensive juggernaut, Trippi was even better on special teams and defense. Georgia Tech Coach Bobby Dodd asserted Trippi should have won the 1946 Heisman Trophy for his defensive play alone.
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