Who was Vince Lombardi and why did the NFL name the Super Bowl trophy after him?

Vince Lombardi is widely considered to be one of the greatest coaches in NFL history, which explains why the magnificent Super Bowl trophy is named after him. The prize for being the NFL‘s best team of the season is a spectacular piece of art and is one of the most iconic trophies in sports. This is one of the most coveted trophies in the worldGetty And it’s named after a true legend of the NFL, who will always be remembered. And later today, either the Kansas City Chiefs or the Philadelphia Eagles will lift it. The upcoming Super Bowl is the 59th edition of this event, and the Eagles are out to stop the Chiefs becoming the only team to win it three times in a row. If Patrick Mahomes and co do it, they might as well move the Vince Lombardi trophy permanently to Kansas. Who was Vince Lombardi? Lombardi was born in New York to Italian parents who had moved from Salerno. He played American football as a semi-professional before getting involved in coaching in 1939 with St Cecilia High School as an assistant. He became the head coach in 1942, and by the following year, his side were recognised as the best at high school level in America. From there, he moved to Fordham University and then joined the US Military Academy as an offensive line coach. It was here that his coaching style and philosophy began to take shape. He impressed, and an NFL job came calling, as the New York Giants swooped in and appointed Lombardi as their offensive line coach. Lombardi enjoyed a long career caching in the EFLGetty He remained with the Giants for four years and helped them turn their form around. Many considered him to be the brains of the operation. However, he was worried he would never be a head coach due to prejudices over his Italian heritage. But in 1959, he got his chance as the Green Bay Packers offered him that job, plus the role of general manager because the team was a mess. The Packers finished the previous season with just one win, leaving the people of Green Bay furious. Lombardi assumed total control, and his first season saw the Packers win seven matches, and he was named Coach of the Year. Lombardi was a genius And from there, the Packers got better and better, winning the first two Super Bowls in 1967 and 1968. They also won the NFL Championship three times, while Lombardi ended his career as a coach with a 73.8% win percentage. In 1968, after a period of great success, Lombardi stepped down. He moved to Washington Redskins in 1970 to become the club’s head coach and general manager. However, he passed away in pre-season from cancer at 57 and never got the chance to coach the Redskins. But Lombardi is an NFL legend for his achievements with the Packers and how he revolutionised American football. Read More on Super Bowl LIX Follow LIVE build-up to Super Bowl LIX here ‘That hurts bodies’ – Patrick Mahomes outlines major concerns with proposed NFL change ahead of Super Bowl Emotional DeAndre Hopkins desperate to win first Super Bowl for blind mom who’s never seen him play in NFL ‘Never be done again’ – Patrick Mahomes in awe of historic Michael Jordan feat that Chiefs QB doesn’t think he can reach ‘It shocked me’ – Tom Brady’s ‘nervous’ Fox debut stunned the man who caught NFL legend’s historic final touchdown Who is performing the Super Bowl halftime show and who will be singing the National Anthem? How to follow Super Bowl 2025 – TV channel, live streaming and talkSPORT coverage for NFL showpiece FOLLOW – talkSPORT End Zone YouTube Channel brings you all the latest news, views and analysis OFFER – See all Super Bowl odds and bet boosts over at talkSPORT BET BUY HERE – Brewdog launches new beer to celebrate Super Bowl 2025 Why is the trophy named after him? The Super Bowl trophy was initially named the World Professional Football Championship Trophy. But this name didn’t last long, and in 1971 (Super Bowl V), the NFL decided to name the prize after Lombardi in honour of him winning the first two with the Packers. The Vince Lombardi trophy was first awarded to the Baltimore Colts after they beat the Dallas Cowboys in the final in 1972.

Feb 9, 2025 - 13:36

Who was Vince Lombardi and why did the NFL name the Super Bowl trophy after him?

Vince Lombardi is widely considered to be one of the greatest coaches in NFL history, which explains why the magnificent Super Bowl trophy is named after him.

The prize for being the NFL‘s best team of the season is a spectacular piece of art and is one of the most iconic trophies in sports.

This is one of the most coveted trophies in the world

And it’s named after a true legend of the NFL, who will always be remembered.

And later today, either the Kansas City Chiefs or the Philadelphia Eagles will lift it.

The upcoming Super Bowl is the 59th edition of this event, and the Eagles are out to stop the Chiefs becoming the only team to win it three times in a row.

If Patrick Mahomes and co do it, they might as well move the Vince Lombardi trophy permanently to Kansas.

Who was Vince Lombardi?

Lombardi was born in New York to Italian parents who had moved from Salerno.

He played American football as a semi-professional before getting involved in coaching in 1939 with St Cecilia High School as an assistant.

He became the head coach in 1942, and by the following year, his side were recognised as the best at high school level in America.

From there, he moved to Fordham University and then joined the US Military Academy as an offensive line coach.

It was here that his coaching style and philosophy began to take shape.

He impressed, and an NFL job came calling, as the New York Giants swooped in and appointed Lombardi as their offensive line coach.

Vince Lombardi being carried by Green Bay Packers players after defeating the Dallas Cowboys. — Lombardi enjoyed a long career caching in the EFL

He remained with the Giants for four years and helped them turn their form around.

Many considered him to be the brains of the operation.

However, he was worried he would never be a head coach due to prejudices over his Italian heritage.

But in 1959, he got his chance as the Green Bay Packers offered him that job, plus the role of general manager because the team was a mess.

The Packers finished the previous season with just one win, leaving the people of Green Bay furious.

Lombardi assumed total control, and his first season saw the Packers win seven matches, and he was named Coach of the Year.

Green Bay Packers coach Vince Lombardi raises a football in victory, surrounded by reporters covering the first Super Bowl in 1967. — Lombardi was a genius

And from there, the Packers got better and better, winning the first two Super Bowls in 1967 and 1968.

They also won the NFL Championship three times, while Lombardi ended his career as a coach with a 73.8% win percentage.

In 1968, after a period of great success, Lombardi stepped down.

He moved to Washington Redskins in 1970 to become the club’s head coach and general manager.

However, he passed away in pre-season from cancer at 57 and never got the chance to coach the Redskins.

But Lombardi is an NFL legend for his achievements with the Packers and how he revolutionised American football.

Why is the trophy named after him?

The Super Bowl trophy was initially named the World Professional Football Championship Trophy.

But this name didn’t last long, and in 1971 (Super Bowl V), the NFL decided to name the prize after Lombardi in honour of him winning the first two with the Packers.

The Vince Lombardi trophy was first awarded to the Baltimore Colts after they beat the Dallas Cowboys in the final in 1972.