Tom Franckhauser

Last updated

Tom Franckhauser
No. 81, 32, 40
Position: Cornerback
Personal information
Born:(1937-05-26)May 26, 1937
Steubenville, Ohio, U.S.
Died:April 17, 1997(1997-04-17) (aged 59)
Houston, Texas, U.S.
Height:6 ft 0 in (1.83 m)
Weight:195 lb (88 kg)
Career information
High school: Catholic Central (OH).
College: Purdue
NFL draft: 1959  / round: 3 / pick: 33
Career history
Career highlights and awards
Career NFL statistics
Games played:58
Interceptions:13
Stats at Pro Football Reference

Thomas Anthony Franckhauser (May 26, 1937 April 17, 1997) was an American football cornerback who played in the National Football League (NFL) for the Los Angeles Rams, the Dallas Cowboys, and the Minnesota Vikings. He played college football at Purdue University.

Contents

Early years

Known as "Knute", Franckhauser was born in Steubenville, Ohio, and played high school football there at Catholic Central High School.

He accepted a scholarship from Purdue University, where he became a three-year starter at offensive end. In 1957, he helped his team upset Michigan State University, which was ranked number one in the nation at the time. [1] As a senior, he was named the team's MVP. [2]

Professional career

Los Angeles Rams

Franckhauser was selected by the Los Angeles Rams in the third round (33rd overall) of the 1959 NFL draft. As a rookie, he was moved to cornerback, before finishing the season as a starter at safety. He tied for the team lead with 3 interceptions.

Dallas Cowboys

He was selected by the Dallas Cowboys in the 1960 NFL Expansion Draft. He became the first player in Dallas Cowboys history to carry the football during a regular season game as he returned the opening kickoff in their inaugural regular season game. [3] He also became the first starter at left cornerback in franchise history. He registered 45 tackles, 13 passes defensed, 3 interceptions (tied for the team lead), 25 kickoff returns for an average of 19.8 yards and 3 punt returns.

In 1961, he was passed on the depth chart by Warren Livingston. He was activated on November 7 and played in only 6 games (4 starts), after Livingston was placed on the injured reserve list. [4] On December 31, he was traded to the Cleveland Browns in exchange for punter Sam Baker. [5]

Cleveland Browns

In September 1962, he was traded along with offensive tackle Errol Linden, offensive end Charley Ferguson and placekicker Fred Cox, to the Minnesota Vikings in exchange for a sixth round selection (#72-Ernie Borghetti).

Minnesota Vikings

In 1962, he was one of the key players in the Minnesota Vikings defense, finishing the year with 4 interceptions (tied for third on the team). In 1964, he suffered a near fatal brain injury while tackling rookie Bill McWatters in a training camp scrimmage. [6] He would be lost for the season and forced into early retirement.

Personal life

On April 17, 1997, Franckhauser died of a heart attack. [7]

Franckhauser's first cousin was Danny Abramowicz, who played college football at Xavier University and professionally as an original New Orleans Saint. His twin grandsons, Walker Hume and Tucker Hume, were both professional soccer players with FC Dallas and Ottawa Fury FC respectively. [8]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Super Bowl XII</span> 1978 Edition of the Super Bowl

Super Bowl XII was an American football game between the National Football Conference (NFC) champion Dallas Cowboys and the American Football Conference (AFC) champion Denver Broncos to decide the National Football League (NFL) champion for the 1977 season. The Cowboys defeated the Broncos 27–10 to win their second Super Bowl. The game was played on January 15, 1978, at the Louisiana Superdome in New Orleans. This was the first Super Bowl in a domed stadium, and the first time that the game was played in prime time in the Eastern United States.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Allen Rossum</span> American football player (born 1975)

Allen Bonshaca Lamont Rossum is an American former professional football player who was a cornerback and return specialist in the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Notre Dame Fighting Irish. He was selected by the Philadelphia Eagles in the third round of the 1998 NFL draft.

Larry Brown Jr. is an American former professional football player who was a cornerback in the National Football League (NFL) for the Dallas Cowboys and Oakland Raiders. He was named the MVP of Super Bowl XXX and played college football at Texas Christian University.

George Theo Teague is an American former professional football player who was a safety in the National Football League (NFL) who played for the Green Bay Packers, Dallas Cowboys and Miami Dolphins. He played college football at the University of Alabama.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Nate Jones (cornerback)</span> American football player (born 1982)

Nathan Jones is an American former professional football cornerback in the National Football League (NFL) for the Dallas Cowboys, Miami Dolphins, Denver Broncos and New England Patriots. He was drafted by the Dallas Cowboys in seventh round of the 2004 NFL draft. He played college football at Rutgers University. He is currently a game official in the NFL, working as a field judge since the 2019 NFL season. As an NFL field judge, Jones wears the uniform number 33.

Donald William Bishop was an American professional football cornerback in the National Football League (NFL) for the Pittsburgh Steelers, Chicago Bears and Dallas Cowboys. He played college football at Los Angeles City College.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Terence Newman</span> American football player (born 1978)

Terence Newman is an American former professional football player who was a cornerback for 15 seasons in the National Football League (NFL) for the Dallas Cowboys, Cincinnati Bengals, and Minnesota Vikings. He played college football for the Kansas State Wildcats, earning unanimous All-American recognition. He was selected by the Cowboys with the fifth overall pick in the 2003 NFL draft.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Chris Carr (American football)</span> American football player (born 1983)

Charles Christopher Carr is an American former professional football player who was a cornerback, punt returner, and kick returner in the National Football League (NFL). He was signed by the Oakland Raiders as an undrafted free agent in 2005. He was also a member of the Tennessee Titans, Baltimore Ravens, Minnesota Vikings, San Diego Chargers and New Orleans Saints. He played college football for the Boise State Broncos.

Fredrick William Strickland Jr. is an American former professional football player who was a linebacker in the National Football League (NFL) for the Los Angeles Rams, Minnesota Vikings, Green Bay Packers, Dallas Cowboys and Washington Redskins. He played college football for the Purdue Boilermakers.

Ronald Lee Fellows is a former American football cornerback in the National Football League (NFL) for the Dallas Cowboys and Los Angeles Raiders. He played college football at the University of Missouri.

Kenneth Dwayne Gant is a former American football safety in the National Football League (NFL) for the Dallas Cowboys and Tampa Bay Buccaneers. He won Super Bowl XXVII and Super Bowl XXVIII, both over the Buffalo Bills. He played college football at Albany State University.

Issiac Holt III is an American former professional football player who was a cornerback in the National Football League (NFL) for the Minnesota Vikings and Dallas Cowboys. He played college football for the Alcorn State Braves. With the Cowboys, he won Super Bowl XXVII over the Buffalo Bills.

Tyrone Christopher Hughes is an American former professional football player who was a cornerback in the National Football League (NFL) for the New Orleans Saints, Chicago Bears, and Dallas Cowboys. He played college football for the Nebraska Cornhuskers.

Derek Ross is an American former professional football player who was a cornerback in the National Football League (NFL) for the Dallas Cowboys, Atlanta Falcons and Minnesota Vikings. He played college football at Ohio State University.

David Howard is an American former professional football linebacker in the National Football League (NFL) for the Minnesota Vikings, Dallas Cowboys and New England Patriots. He also was a member of the Los Angeles Express in the United States Football League (USFL). He played college football at Long Beach State University.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mike Jenkins (American football)</span> German-born American football player (born 1985)

Mike Jenkins is an American former professional football player who was a cornerback in the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the South Florida Bulls, earning All-American honors. He was selected by the Dallas Cowboys in the first round of the 2008 NFL draft. He also played in the NFL for the Oakland Raiders, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, and Arizona Cardinals.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Xavier Woods (American football)</span> American football player (born 1995)

Xavier Woods is an American professional football safety for the Carolina Panthers of the National Football League (NFL). He was selected by the Dallas Cowboys in the sixth round of the 2017 NFL draft. He played college football at Louisiana Tech.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Trevon Diggs</span> American football player (born 1998)

Trevon De'Sean Diggs is an American professional football cornerback for the Dallas Cowboys of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Alabama Crimson Tide and was selected by the Cowboys in the second round of the 2020 NFL draft.

Jabril Cox is an American professional football linebacker for the Arlington Renegades of the United Football League (UFL). He was selected by the Dallas Cowboys in the fourth round of the 2021 NFL draft. He played college football for the North Dakota State Bison, where he won three FCS championships and was named the MVFC defensive player of the year before playing the 2020 season with LSU. Cox has also been a member of the Washington Commanders.

Nahshon Wright is an American professional football cornerback for the Minnesota Vikings of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at Oregon State.

References

  1. "10 Favorites Dropped by Upset Jinx" . Retrieved February 3, 2023.
  2. "Bucks Honor Houston Twice" . Retrieved February 3, 2023.
  3. "Football Trivia" . Retrieved February 3, 2023.
  4. "Activate Franckhauser" . Retrieved February 3, 2023.
  5. "Punter Baker Traded for End" . Retrieved February 3, 2023.
  6. "Emergency Surgery Saves Player's Life" . Retrieved February 3, 2023.
  7. "Briefly" . Retrieved February 3, 2023.
  8. "Hume twins continue their dream on the UNC men's soccer team" . Retrieved February 3, 2023.