The Vince Lombardi Trophy: A Permanent Prize for Super Bowl Champions
When the final seconds tick away on Super Bowl Sunday, all eyes turn to the climactic moment: the trophy presentation. As confetti rains down and players embrace, the owner of the victorious franchise hoists a gleaming silver football skyward. This scene may appear ceremonial, but it sparks a common question among fans: Does the winning team actually get to keep that iconic trophy? The answer is a resounding yes.
Permanent Ownership and Annual Craftsmanship
Contrary to some misconceptions, the Vince Lombardi Trophy remains with the winning team forever. The NFL does not reuse the same trophy each year; instead, a brand-new one is meticulously crafted every season specifically for that year's champion. For instance, the victor of Super Bowl 60 between the New England Patriots and the Seattle Seahawks will take permanent possession of their own unique trophy. What is lifted on stage becomes an indelible part of the franchise's history, symbolizing their ultimate achievement.
Design and Historical Origins
The Vince Lombardi Trophy stands 56 centimeters tall and weighs 3.18 kilograms, made entirely of sterling silver. It is handcrafted annually by the renowned jeweler Tiffany & Co. in New Jersey, with a design that has remained unchanged since the first Super Bowl in 1967. The trophy features a regulation-size American football in a kicking position, mounted on a simple stand. Its creation story is steeped in NFL lore: Tiffany vice president Oscar Riedner originally sketched the concept on a cocktail napkin during a lunch with NFL commissioner Pete Rozelle. That spontaneous drawing evolved into one of the world's most recognizable championship trophies.
Honoring a Legend: The Name and Legacy
The trophy is named after Vince Lombardi, the legendary Green Bay Packers coach who led his team to victories in the first two Super Bowls. Lombardi's legacy was cut short when he was diagnosed with an aggressive form of colon cancer at age 57, passing away just 10 weeks later in September 1970. In recognition of his monumental achievements, Lombardi was inducted into the NFL Hall of Fame, and the Super Bowl prize was renamed in his honor, cementing his place in football history.
Presentation Traditions and Comparisons
Another intriguing detail is who receives the trophy first. In the NFL, the Vince Lombardi Trophy is presented to the owner of the winning team, a tradition that aligns with most American sports. For example:
- The NBA also hands its championship trophy to ownership.
- Major League Baseball awards The Commissioner's Trophy to the owner, general manager, and manager.
- The NHL stands apart, giving the Stanley Cup directly to the winning captain on the ice.
- Major League Soccer follows the NHL model with the MLS Cup.
Before 1996, the Super Bowl trophy ceremony occurred in the locker room. Today, it unfolds on a custom-built stage at midfield, where NFL legends carry the trophy to the commissioner. He then presents it to the owner as the Lombardi Trophy Processional music fills the stadium, creating a moment of pure celebration.
For the champions, the silver football is not a temporary symbol—it is theirs to keep, a lasting testament to their triumph on the grandest stage of American football.
