Twenty-Five Greatest Players in Cardinals History

Charley Trippi could do everything on a football field.

Part of the “Million Dollar Backfield” when the Cardinals were based in Chicago, Trippi was a versatile playmaker, who made an instant impact. In his rookie season, the Cardinals defeated the Philadelphia Eagles in the 1947 NFL Championship Game. In that game he ran for 84 yards and a touchdown.

Trippi played nine seasons, and was among the league’s top ten rushers four times, and inside the top five in yards per carry five times. His career average of 5.1 yards per carry would be one of the highest in NFL history. If his success at running the ball wasn’t enough, in 1951, he moved to quarterback for two years, and had a Pro Bowl season there. He also punted and returned kicks during his career.

Though the Cardinals never duplicated their team success from his rookie season, Trippi was certainly not responsible. He stands as one of only a few players in NFL history with 1,000 yards rushing, receiving, and passing. He was a two-time Pro Bowler, and was eventually elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1968.