Who was Wally Triplett?
On November 10, 2018, my wife and I had the privilege of attending the Penn State vs. Wisconsin game in State College with friends of ours. Their son was co-captain of the team and he was being celebrated for his final, senior season.
Two days before the game, Wally Triplett passed away at 92. He was the first African-American NFL draftee to actually get field time in the League. After his death was announced during half time, I turned to my friend, Irvin, and asked, “Who was Wally Triplett?”
Hopefully, no one will have to ask this question again. The answer is captured by an exclusive feature published by USA Today this past weekend, announcing a feature film we at MORE Productions are developing in partnership with Franco Harris, Charlie Pittman, Lydell Mitchell and other PSU alumni. As a way of celebrating Black History, enjoy reading about Wally and cheer us on as we bring his story through www.moreproductions.co to a big (or small) screen near you.
Wally Triplett in 1949 after being drafted by the Detroit Lion. Image form USA Today.
Wally Triplett in 1949 after being drafted by the Detroit Lion. Image form USA Today.
Wally Triplett, the first Black draftee to play in the NFL, and a letter that changed everything
Dana Hunsinger Benbow
During Black History Month, with the series 28 Black stories in 28 days, USA TODAY Sports examines the issues, challenges and opportunities Black athletes and sports officials face after the nation’s reckoning on race in 2020.
The letter came to the Philadelphia address of a lavish estate in a white suburban neighborhood where Wally Triplett lived in the coach house with his parents. Where his dad was a mailman and his mother was a domestic helper for that house full of wealthy white people. The letter came to Triplett, who had forged remarkable success on his high school football field. The University of Miami had heard about him and, assuming he was white, seeing that address, sent off a letter to that estate.
Wallace Triplett, We would be honored to offer you a scholarship to play football at Miami.
For a moment in time, Triplett experienced what it must feel like to not be judged by the color of his skin. But then, he realized. This must be some mistake. It was 1945 and Miami was a segregated university. Triplett wrote a letter back.
"Just so you know, I am a Negro."
The next writing he received from Miami was one rescinding his scholarship offer. Uninviting him to play football. A letter making it clear he was not welcome there. It was a letter Triplett should have torn up and thrown into the trash. Instead, he held on to that letter. Not just for the next week or the next year or the next decade.
He held on to that letter for the rest of his life.
Continue reading on USA Today.
The movie about Triplett is still in the development stages and does not yet have a release date.
Follow IndyStar sports reporter Dana Benbow on Twitter: @DanaBenbow. Reach her via email: dbenbow@indystar.com.