Since 1967, Tiffany & Co. has been the exclusive creator of the Vince Lombardi Trophy, awarded annually to the Super Bowl champion. Originally designed on a cocktail napkin by Tiffany & Co. Vice President Oscar Riedener during a lunch meeting with then-NFL Commissioner Pete Rozelle, the trophy has become a symbol of ultimate football glory.
After the Green Bay Packers won Super Bowl I, league officials presented the team with the first trophy. In 1971, the NFL renamed the trophy in honor of legendary coach Vince Lombardi. Unlike the NHL’s Stanley Cup, in which teams pass from one to another, the league awards each Super Bowl-winning franchise its own trophy, making it one of the most prestigious awards in sports.
The Meticulous Craftsmanship Behind The Super Bowl Trophy
Tiffany & Co. handcrafts the Vince Lombardi Trophy over four months, requiring 72 hours of labor. The process involves six highly skilled artisans in the company’s hollowware workshop in Cumberland, Rhode Island.
The trophy’s creation process involves four major stages, beginning with Spinning and Molding. Artisans use a lathe to shape sheets of sterling silver (92.5% silver and 7.5% copper) into the shape of a regulation-size football. Ensuring uniform thickness is critical, as any inconsistencies can cause the silver to crack during shaping. To maintain malleability, the halves are annealed (reheated) before being joined together.
In the Detailing and Assembly stage, a silversmith meticulously hand-carves (chases) the laces and seams onto the football. Simultaneously, craftsmen bend and solder three large sheets of sterling silver to form the base into a V-shape. Once both components are complete, technicians assemble them into the trophy’s signature kicking position.
Next, artisans begin the engraving and finishing process by sandblasting the NFL shield and Super Bowl details onto the trophy. Then, the hand-engraving of the winning team’s name and final score after the game follows. The trophy undergoes an extensive polishing process to achieve its signature mirror finish. Once completed, it is placed on display at the Pro Football Hall of Fame in Canton, Ohio, until it is awarded at the Super Bowl.
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The Trophy’s Journey And Legacy
Measuring 22 inches tall and weighing seven pounds, the Vince Lombardi Trophy undergoes heavy security transport to the Super Bowl venue, where officials keep it under strict protection until the on-field presentation. After the celebration, officials return the trophy to Tiffany & Co. to complete the final engravings before sending it to the winning team’s headquarters.
Measuring 22 inches tall and weighing seven pounds, the Vince Lombardi Trophy undergoes heavy security transport to the Super Bowl venue, where officials keep it under strict protection until the on-field presentation. After the celebration, officials return the trophy to Tiffany & Co. to complete the final engravings before sending it to the winning team’s headquarters.
Throughout its history, the trophy has endured rough handling. Tom Brady famously threw it between boats during the Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ Super Bowl LV celebration, and Rob Gronkowski once dented it while using it as a baseball bat. Despite these incidents, Tiffany’s artisans ensure that any damage is repaired, restoring the trophy to its pristine condition.
Each year, Super Bowl-winning teams also have the option to purchase three-quarter-size replicas, meticulously crafted with the same attention to detail. Beyond the Lombardi Trophy, Tiffany & Co. also creates prestigious awards for the NBA, WNBA, MLB, and U.S. Open, securing its spot as the premier trophy maker in professional sports.
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