The World’s Largest Sports Trophy Is In Texas

In Texas, where football is a religion, 2 state colleges compete for the biggest sports trophy in the entire world.

There are some legendary sports rivalries in college football. El Paso and Las Cruces have what is known at the "Battle of I-10" between UTEP and NMSU. A game sure to bring fervent fans ... and the occasional brawl ... to the stadium.

It's not just victory that 2 east Texas football teams fight "the Battle For Chief Caddo" over ... it's a gargantuan, hand carved trophy.

The rivalry between Northwestern State in Natchitoches, Louisiana and Stephen F. Austin University in Nacogdoches, Texas is also an interstate thing that's been going on since 1961.

What's Up With Trophy?

A bet was made that the loser of the 1961 game would chop down a tree and have it delivered to the winner who would have it carved into a trophy.  Each team did their part and now "Chief Caddo" is the world's largest sports trophy.

READ MORE: Biggest Statues In Texas.

He was hand carved from a 2,000-pound black gum log and took the sculptor almost 10 days to complete. He stands 7 feet, 6 inches tall and weighs about 320 pounds. That's 5 inches taller and about 5 pounds lighter than Shaquille O'Neil in his prime.

Who Was Chief Caddo?

There was no "Chief Caddo", the trophy was named to honor the native Americans known as "The Caddo" who first settled these two areas of Texas and Louisiana. The Caddo protected early Spanish and French colonists from attack by Apache, Comanche and Natchez warriors.

They also facilitated a "peace" of sorts between the Europeans while their respective countries were at war with each other abroad.

New Chief Caddo?

As of 2025, Chief Caddo has retired. His successor holds the same dimensions and world record status, he just looks a bit more modern and was carved by chainsaw.