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A FINAL SALUTE TO COTTON BOWL HALL OF FAMER WALLACE TRIPLETT
The Goodyear Cotton Bowl lost a legend on Thursday when Wallace Triplett passed away at the age of 92. Mr. Triplett was honored last May with his induction into the Cotton Bowl Hall of Fame.
Triplett was a true trailblazer in American sports as a collegian at Penn State in the 1940s and later in the professional ranks with the Detroit Lions. He became the Nittany Lions’ first African-American football starter and varsity letter-winner.
At the end of his junior season in the 1948 Cotton Bowl Classic, Triplett and teammate Dennie Hoggard did more than play football. They broke down racial barriers in Texas. When asked to consider leaving the team’s two black players at home and not play in the bowl game, their teammates’ quick response was one of solidarity…“We are Penn State, there will be no meetings.”
Triplett was a heralded offensive threat at halfback and a hard-hitting linebacker on defense. Against SMU in the Classic, he played as advertised by reeling in the game-tying touchdown with a six-yard catch in the third quarter. The game ended in a 13-13 tie. The final score aside, Triplett, Hoggard and the Nittany Lions had taken a stand that New Year’s Day, one for a more just society.
Following his graduation from Penn State in 1949, Triplett was drafted by the Detroit Lions and became the first black player to appear in a game for an NFL team. In addition to his memorable football career, Triplett proudly served his country as a member of the United States Army during the Korean War, missing the 1951 NFL season.
“Mr. Triplett was a special member of the Cotton Bowl family,” said Rick Baker, the President of the Cotton Bowl Athletic Association. “He reshaped our game with his courage and strong determination in the face of adversity. Honoring him with his enshrinement into our Hall of Fame this year was truly a wonderful moment. Our Board of Directors and staff send our heartfelt condolences to the Triplett family.”
