NFL
Although Triplett was only the third African-American chosen in the 1949 NFL Draft, he was the first of the draftees to take the field in a league game. (Other undrafted African-Americans had previously played in the league.) The 5'-10", 173-pound running back and return specialist played for the Detroit Lions from 1949-50.
Triplett holds the Lions' single-game record in kickoff return yardage with 294 (second-highest total in NFL history), including a 97-yard touchdown return against the Los Angeles Rams in 1950; his average of 73.5 yards per return in that game is also an NFL record. He also set the Lions' record for the longest run from scrimmage with an 80-yard touchdown against the Green Bay Packers.
Following the 1950 season, Triplett became the first NFL player drafted into military service for the Korean War. When he returned from active duty, the Lions traded him to the Chicago Cardinals. He retired from professional football in 1953.
Read more about this topic: Wallace Triplett