Wally-Triplett-Obituary

Wally Triplett

Apr 18, 1926 – Nov 8, 2018 (Age 92)

About

BORN
April 18, 1926
DIED
November 8, 2018
AGE
92

Obituary

Wally Triplett was the first black player to be drafted by an NFL team to play in an NFL game. He was drafted out of Penn State by the Detroit Lions in 1949. There were 3 black players drafted that year but Triplett was the first to play in a regular season game. For full obituary and coverage from Legacy.com, click here.

Guest Book

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May God bless you and your family in this time of sorrow.

I am so thankful for the time that I was fortunate to share with Mr. "Wally" Triplett, first as an employee at his northwest Detroit party store and later as a friend. I still relish his recounting battles with overt racism on and off the gridiron and NEVER being deterred from being his best self. A loyal, honorable, and energetic family man whose thirst for learning was never quenched. I learned so much from Wally Triplett. God bless Nancy, Allison, and David.

I am sorry regarding the loss of your loved one. May the God of Comfort, continue to comfort the family.

To the Triplett Family. I was made ware of Mr, Triplett's passing by the NFL's 2018 review of who has past away during the 2018 year from the NFL family. My condolences to your family. My prayer's, thoughts,wishes to your family. As your family reflects upon the memories of his journey, I to went back in time when I read he was on the '49 roster of the Detroit Lions. My father and Mr. Triplett crossed paths that season. Twice. Walked, played, sweated on the same turf under the common goal to...

Thank you to everyone who shared their condolences and words of comfort. Our family is truly grateful to you, and continue to hold tight to the legacy and love of our dear father and grandfather Wally Triplett.