The use of the term "Triplets" to describe an elite quarterback, running back and receiver on a team started with the Dallas Cowboys of the early '90s. Troy Aikman, Emmitt Smith and Michael Irvin are all in the Hall of Fame. They were dynamic players that earned a title distinguishing them from the rest. Just because they were the first to be called "Triplets" doesn't mean that they were actually the first.
The San Francisco 49ers of the mid-late '80s had Joe Montana, Jerry Rice and Roger Craig pacing an explosive offense. Montana and Rice were Hall of Fame automatics and are among the best football players of all time. Craig doesn't get the same acclaim likely because his elite years were brief in comparison to those of his teammates. He's been sitting on the edge of Hall of Fame recognition for a few years now.
The Pittsburgh Steelers and Miami Dolphins won a combined six Super Bowls in the '70s. They both fielded explosive offenses centered around their "triplets." The Steelers actually fielded "quadruplets" in Hall of Famers Terry Bradshaw, Franco Harris, Lynn Swann and John Stallworth. Despite that talent on offense the Steelers of that era are best remembered for their brutal, dominant defense. So, history tends to forget a very potent offensive team. The Dolphins had Hall of Famers Bob Griese, Larry Csonka and Paul Warfield. Despite remaining an effective football player Warfield was reaching the end of his excellent career when he was with the Dolphins.
In my opinion, it comes to the "triplets" before my lifetime that truly approach the excellence set by those Cowboys. They also include some of my favorite football players in league history. The Baltimore Colts of the late '50s were loaded. John Unitas, Lenny Moore and Raymond Berry are among the best offensive players of any generation. Unitas is right there with the greatest quarterbacks to ever toss a football. There may never have been another football player quite like Lenny Moore. Some thought of him as a back. Others thought of him as a receiver. He likely would have made the Hall of Fame at both positions. I'd love to have seen this team play. The same applies to the amazing Cleveland Browns from 1946 through the early '50s. They're "triplets are up next. Otto Graham, Marion Motley and Dante Lavelli are all Hall of Famers. Graham never played a professional football season that didn't end in a championship game. That applies to his teammates as well. In ten seasons Graham led the Browns to seven championships (four in the AAFC). An incredible, dominant team.
The last two sets of "triplets" come from the days when passing the football was an oddity. It became less of an oddity largely because of these two teams. The Washington Redskins "triplets" of 1937 only played the one season together. It's too bad. The Redskins won their first NFL title that season. It was the rookie season of the fantastic Sammy Baugh. Unfortunately, it was also the last season for running back Cliff Battles. He was one of best backs in the league. If not the best. Baugh, Battles and receiver Wayne Millner are all in the Hall of Fame. Together they formed an often unstoppable offense. The Packers, Bears and Giants all fielded strong teams in that era but it's hard to imagine the Redskins not winning more titles if Battles had played a few more years. Baugh and Millner did bring another title home in 1942. The Green Bay Packers of the 1930s fielded the first "triplets." Arnie Herber, Clarke Hinkle and Don Hutson were scary. The Packers won four titles in the '30s. Two were won with this "triplet" group. No one threw the ball as often or as effectively as the Packers in those days. If you settled back to stop the pass, Hinkle would run over everyone. He was a punishing runner.
One of these years I hope that I can talk of the Vikings "triplets" of Christian Ponder, Adrian Peterson and Percy Harvin like I can of the above. That would be sweet.
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