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Lombardi during his time as a full-back in the 1930s
NFL LEGEND

Super Bowl: Who was Vince Lombardi and why is Super Bowl trophy named after him?

Tom Brady and the New England Patriots are looking to lift the famous trophy for a second year running

KANSAS CITY CHIEFS and San Francisco 49ers are all set for the Super Bowl - and the chance to get their hands on the Vince Lombardi Trophy.

It has been 51 years since the Chiefs last lifted the title, while their Californian opponents are looking to take a sixth trophy back to the Golden Gate City.


SUPER BOWL LIVE REACTION: Follow all the latest updates and action from Chiefs vs 49ers here!


 A new Vince Lombardi Trophy is created every year so the Super Bowl winners can take it home with them
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A new Vince Lombardi Trophy is created every year so the Super Bowl winners can take it home with themCredit: USA TODAY Sports

But just who was Lombardi and why has his name been associated with the most sought-after trophy in American sport?

Who was Vince Lombardi?

ONE of the most legendary figures in American Football history, Vince Lombardi was a player, coach and executive in the NFL for over 30 years.

Born in Brooklyn in 1913, the young Lombardi seemed destined for the priesthood after enrolling at a New York Catholic College when he left school.

A keen football player throughout his youth, he continued to play - which was against college rules - and after four years ditched the course.

 Lombardi during his time as a full-back in the 1930s
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Lombardi during his time as a full-back in the 1930sCredit: AP:Associated Press

Lombardi won a football scholarship to Fordham Universtity, but was small and unathletic for a full-back and struggled to kick on - which eventually saw him drift away from the game.

It wasn't until 1939, after a failed stint in a law school, that he turned his attention to football again and went into coaching.

Splitting his time between teaching and coaching high school team St Cecelia in New Jersey, Lombardi led the side for five years from 1942 and turned them into one of the best in the country.

 The successful coach dropped out of law school to pursue football
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The successful coach dropped out of law school to pursue footballCredit: AP:Associated Press

Famed for his never-say-die attitude, Lombardi would join the New York Giants as an offensive co-ordinator in the early 50s after taking a US Military Academy side to a 7-1 record - with President JFK famously begging him to return years later.

His first head coach role came at the Green Bay Packers, where he arrived in 1959 and would stay for another eight seasons.

In that time, the Packers won SIX NFL Championships, including the first two Super Bowls - defeating Kansas City Chiefs 35-10 in 1967 and the Oakland Raiders 33-14 the following year.

 Lombardi during his time at the Redskins
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Lombardi during his time at the RedskinsCredit: Getty - Contributor

Lombardi is regarded as one of the most meticulous coaches to have ever played the game and is regularly touted as the best leader of any American sports team.

After a brief stint at the Washington Redskins, Lombardi died of cancer in 1970 aged just 57 - and the Super Bowl trophy was named in his honour.

He never had a losing season as a head coach in the NFL, compiling a regular season winning percentage of 72.8% (96–34–6).

 Tom Brady celebrates with the Vince Lombardi Trophy in the 2017 Super Bowl
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Tom Brady celebrates with the Vince Lombardi Trophy in the 2017 Super BowlCredit: EPA

What time does Super Bowl 54 start?

THIS year's Super Bowl will be held at the impressive Hard Rock Stadium in Miami.

It will take place on Sunday, February 2, 2020 with kick off at 11.30pm UK time.

Floria is five hours behind Britain, meaning a 6.30pm start for the locals in the United States.

How can I watch it?

IF you're watching in the UK, the options to watch the Super Bowl are endless.

Sky Sports will show all the action LIVE from Miami, whilst you can also tune in on the BBC.

The game is available on Sky Sports Action and Sky Sports Main Event.

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