John Tripson †
Inducted 2018
Hometown: Madero
High School: Mission High School
College: Mississippi State University
Professional: Detroit Lions
Best Known for: Football
Sept. 17, 1919-July 6, 1997
Tripson grew up in Madero, south of Mission, and had an outstanding football career that ended in the NFL.
He was a member of the Mission Eagles team that went unbeaten in 1936 and was a good friend and teammate of Tom Landry. He was an all-district tackle at Mission at 6-foot-3 and 210 pounds.
Tripson was recruited and signed with Mississippi State University, and did his best to bring Landry with him to Mississippi. Landry chose The University of Texas.
He played four years there and was named all-Southeast Conference tackle and was Honorable Mention All-America. He helped Mississippi State to a 14-7 win over Georgetown in the Orange Bowl. He played in the All-Star game in 1940.
Tripson was drafted by the Detroit Lions in 1940 and given a one-year contract. He played the 1941 season with the Lions, was chosen first team All-Pro and played in the Pro Bowl. He then enlisted in the U.S. Navy in 1942 and served in World War II. He received the Navy Cross for “gallantry, dauntless courage and fearless devotion to duty.”