FLOSSI SEES VICTORY AT THE SUPER BOWL
History of the Vince Lombardi Trophy
The Vince Lombardi Trophy is awarded annually to the winner of the Super Bowl, the championship game of the National Football League (NFL). It is one of the most recognizable trophies in American sports. Here’s a look at its history:
1. Origins (1966)
In 1966, the NFL and AFL agreed to merge, creating the Super Bowl.
The trophy was designed by Oscar Riedener, an executive at Tiffany & Co., who sketched it on a napkin during a meeting with then-NFL commissioner Pete Rozelle.
Tiffany & Co. was chosen to craft the trophy, a partnership that continues today.
First Presentation (1967)
The first Super Bowl was played on January 15, 1967, between the Green Bay Packers and the Kansas City Chiefs.
The Packers won, and coach Vince Lombardi received the inaugural trophy.
Initially, it was called the "World Professional Football Championship Trophy."
Renaming in Honor of Vince Lombardi (1970)
In 1970, legendary Packers coach Vince Lombardi passed away from cancer at age 57.
As a tribute to his coaching legacy (including leading the Packers to victories in the first two Super Bowls), the trophy was renamed the "Vince Lombardi Trophy."
The first team to receive the renamed trophy was the Baltimore Colts after Super Bowl V (1971).
Design and Construction
Material: The trophy is made of sterling silver.
Design: It features a football in a kicking position atop a triangular stand.
Height & Weight: Approximately 22 inches tall and weighs around 7 pounds.
Production: Each trophy is handcrafted by Tiffany & Co. and takes about 4 months to create.
Cost: Estimated value is $50,000+.
Notable Moments
Permanence: Unlike other major sports trophies (like the Stanley Cup), a new Vince Lombardi Trophy is made each year for the winning team to keep.
Unusual Incidents:
In 2019, Rob Gronkowski (Patriots) famously dented the trophy while using it as a bat during a playful baseball moment at a Red Sox game.
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers (2021) almost lost the trophy when Tom Brady threw it across a boat during a parade.
Legacy
The Vince Lombardi Trophy symbolizes excellence and triumph in the NFL.
Winning teams keep their trophy permanently, often displayed in team headquarters or Hall of Fame exhibits.
The Green Bay Packers and Pittsburgh Steelers hold the most Lombardi Trophies, each winning 4+ times.
