Bill Triplett

William Clarence Triplett (born May 9, 1940) is an American former professional football player who was a running back in the National Football League (NFL). He also played college football for the Miami RedHawks. Triplett played 10 years in the NFL for the St. Louis Cardinals (1962–63, 1965–66), New York Giants, and Detroit Lions (1968–72).

Early life Triplett was born in 1940 in Shaw, Mississippi.

Triplett attended Miami University in Oxford, Ohio, where he played for the Miami Redskins football team under head coach John Pont. As a senior in 1961, Triplett gained 1,418 yards, was named the team's most valuable player, and was selected to the All-Mid-American Conference team. He was also selected to play in the Hula Bowl and the East–West Shrine Game. In May 1962, the Giants traded Triplett to the St. Louis Cardinals in exchange for Ralph Guglielmi.

As a rookie in 1962, Triplett was used principally as a kick return specialist and carried the ball only twice on offense. In 1963, Triplett's second year in the NFL, he gained 1,048 yards from scrimmage, 652 rushing and 396 receiving. and seeing his weight drop from 210 to 175 pounds.

After carrying the ball only eight times for the Cardinals in 1966, Triplett was traded to the New York Giants prior to the 1967 season. He was a backup for the Giants in 1967, gaining 171 rushing yards and 69 receiving yards. Triplett spent five seasons with the Lions from 1968 to 1972. He appeared in 68 games for the Lions, 11 as a starter, and totaled 1,297 yards from scrimmage (969 rushing and 328 receiving).