A piece of Penn State history was showcased nationally on the “Today Show” Friday when NBC’s Harry Smith recounted the story behind the origins of the “We Are” chant.

Smith chatted with the voice of Penn State football and basketball Steve Jones and Penn State cheerleaders Ben Meloy and Jordan Frank to tell the story.

The feature recounted Penn State football’s unanimous decision to forgo its 1946 game against Miami because of its two Black players on the team — Wally Triplett and Dennie Hoggard — who couldn’t play or travel due to Florida’s segregation rules at the time.

The following season, after an undefeated showing, the Cotton Bowl requested Penn State travel to Dallas without its Black players. Once again, the team unanimously decided to bring Triplett and Hoggard to the Cotton Bowl, stating, “We’re Penn State.”

Triplett even scored an influential touchdown in the 1948 Cotton Bowl, Smith noted.

Later in the 1970s, Penn State cheerleaders began to cheer “We are Penn State,” and the chant finally caught on almost two decades after its genesis in 1948.

Meanwhile, Meloy and Frank discussed their roles in uplifting the “We Are” chant today as cheerleaders in front of 110,000 people in Beaver Stadium week in and week out.

“For me, personally, as a Black African American on the team, it’s incredible to know that history and to carry on that history in today’s modern times,” Frank told the “Today Show.”

“Having the ability to represent something so much bigger than myself is truly a blessing,” Meloy told Onward State. “The love and energy I’m blessed to be able to bring for others was showcased on a national stage, and for that, I am forever grateful.”

Folks can view the segment here.