The Lombardi Trophy: The Holy Grail of the NFL

The Lombardi Trophy: The Holy Grail of the NFL

Vincent Thomas Lombardi

One could safely argue that Vince Lombardi was the greatest football coach of all time, and certainly one of the greatest motivators in any sport.

Coach Lombardi attended Fordham University, starred on their football team as a member of the famed "Seven Blocks of Granite" In 1937, he graduated magna cum laude and then attended law school at night while holding down a day job with a finance company. His football coaching began with an eight year stint at St. Cecilia High School in Englewood, NJ, and then two years at Fordham before settling at West Point under the tutelage of the famed Red Blaik.

While coaching at Army, he was known as a workaholic, and this trait helped him get his next job with the New York Giants. His work ethic helped the Giants to five winning seasons, the last being the league championship in 1956. From the Giants, Lombardi went to the Green Bay Packers in 1959 as their head coach. He was known for his demand for perfection and dedication from his players which was evidenced by his legendary training camps. His no-nonsense methods elevated the Packers into the most storied franchise of the 1960's, leading them to five NFL Championships, including victories in Super Bowl I and II. His legend as coach and motivator was created, and cemented Lombardi's status as the greatest football coach in history.

When death claimed Lombardi in 1970 at age 57, thousands attend two separate funerals. Shortly thereafter, he was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame, and will forever be remembered by the trophy the bears his name that's given to the Super Bowl champion every year.

The Lombardi Trophy

The "World Professional Football Championship" trophy was renamed the Lombardi Trophy in 1970. This pro football championship trophy is created each year by Tiffany & Co.. It depicts a regulation-size football in kicking position that is made entirely of sterling silver and is valued at $50,000. The trophy is 22 inches tall, weighs 7 pounds, and takes approximately four months and 72 man-hours to create. The words "Vince Lombardi Trophy" are engraved on it, and the NFL shield is affixed in a separate item onto the base.

Following the Super Bowl, the Lombardi Trophy is awarded to the owner of the winning team in a on field ceremony. It's interesting that every year there are two trophies present in case one is destroyed in the celebration. After the presentation, the trophy is sent back to Tiffany's to be engraved with the winning team's name, the date and final score of the Super Bowl. It is then returned to the winning team for them to keep.

The Pittsburgh Steelers have won the most Lombardi Football Trophies with six. The Dallas Cowboys and the San Francisco 49ers are tied for second with 5 trophies each. The New Orleans Saints are the most recent winners, having won Super Bowl XLIV.

This football trophy, although representing a pinnacle of achievement in the world of sports, pales in comparison to the man himself...his genius and the impact he had on the lives of all he touched are what true legends are made of.

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