Travis Frederick

Last updated

Travis Frederick
Travis Frederick September 2016.jpg
Frederick in 2016
No. 72
Position: Center
Personal information
Born: (1991-03-18) March 18, 1991 (age 33)
Sharon, Wisconsin, U.S.
Height:6 ft 4 in (1.93 m)
Weight:320 lb (145 kg)
Career information
High school: Big Foot (Walworth, Wisconsin)
College: Wisconsin (2009–2012)
NFL draft: 2013  / Round: 1 / Pick: 31
Career history
Career highlights and awards
Career NFL statistics
Games played:96
Games started:96
Player stats at NFL.com

Travis Frederick (born March 18, 1991) is an American former professional football player who spent his entire seven-year career as a center for the Dallas Cowboys of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Wisconsin Badgers and was selected 31st overall by the Cowboys in the first round of the 2013 NFL draft. In his time as a Cowboy he was elected to five Pro Bowls and he was an All-Pro in 2014, 2015 and 2016. Frederick is now the co-founder & chief operating officer of the tabletop role-playing game company Demiplane.

Contents

Early years

A native of Sharon, Wisconsin, Frederick attended Big Foot High School in Walworth, Wisconsin, where he was an all-state two-way lineman. He helped his high school team to second place in the 2008 WIAA Division 4 state playoffs. [1]

Frederick was also on Big Foot's track team. He finished second in the shot put at the 2008 'BDN' Invite, with a throw of 15.23 meters (50 ft 0 in). He took silver in the discus throw at the 2008 WIAA Sectional Championships, with a throw of 49.30 meters (161 ft 9 in). [2]

Recruiting

Regarded as a three-star recruit by Rivals.com, Frederick was ranked as the No. 83 offensive tackle prospect in his class. [3]

College career

Frederick attended the University of Wisconsin–Madison, and played for the Wisconsin Badgers football team from 2009 to 2012. After graduating high school early to participate in spring practice, Frederick became the first true freshman in Badgers history to start a season-opening game on the offensive line, when he lined up at center against Northern Illinois. An ankle injury in week 2 knocked him out of the starting lineup, but he returned for the final two games, at left guard, after center Peter Konz was sidelined (blood clots) and John Moffitt was moved to center. For the season, he played in five games, starting four (two at center and two at left guard).

In order to preserve a year of Frederick's NCAA eligibility, Wisconsin coaching staff decided to redshirt him in 2010. [4] In his redshirt sophomore season, Frederick replaced John Moffitt, starting 11 of 13 games at left guard. For two games, he had to substitute for Peter Konz at center.

Following Konz's departure for the 2012 NFL draft, Frederick was moved to center his junior season. He started all 13 games at center and was named a first-team All-American by Pro Football Weekly . [5]

Professional career

Considered the best center in his class by Mel Kiper Jr. of ESPN, Frederick decided to enter the 2013 NFL draft as an underclassman. [6] He was projected to be a second- to third-round selection.

At the NFL Combine, Frederick ran a 5.58 in the 40-yard dash, second-slowest among offensive lineman. [7] He also posted a below-average 21 repetitions in the 225 lb bench press. [8] [9]

Pre-draft measurables
HeightWeightArm lengthHand span 40-yard dash 10-yard split20-yard split 20-yard shuttle Three-cone drill Vertical jump Broad jump Bench press
6 ft 3+5⁄8 in
(1.92 m)		312 lb
(142 kg)		33 in
(0.84 m)		10 in
(0.25 m)		5.58 s1.91 s3.20 s4.76 s7.81 s28+1⁄2 in
(0.72 m)		8 ft 1 in
(2.46 m)		21 reps
All values from NFL Combine [10] [11]
Frederick snapping the football to Dak Prescott in 2017 Dak Prescott, Travis Frederick (cropped).jpg
Frederick snapping the football to Dak Prescott in 2017

In the 2013 NFL draft, the Dallas Cowboys traded down in the first round with the San Francisco 49ers in exchange for a third-round pick (used to draft Terrance Williams). In the first round, the team selected Frederick after eight offensive linemen were drafted before him. [12] This decision caused a stir in the media because it was not only seen as a reach, but the trade was also criticized for bringing poor compensation after moving down 13 positions. [13]

Frederick was named a starter from the first day of Organized Team Activities in the preseason, replacing Phil Costa, who had been the starter in the previous two years. He became the first rookie in franchise history to start every game at center and was selected to the NFL All-Rookie team. [14]

The next year, he continued his development, by anchoring what was arguably considered as the best offensive line in the league and was also named to his first Pro Bowl.

In 2015, he had to work with four different starting quarterbacks with varying degrees of knowledge of the team's offense, which required him to make more protection calls. He was named to his second Pro Bowl. [15]

On August 13, 2016, Frederick signed a six-year, $56.4 million contract extension with the Cowboys, making him the highest-paid center in the league. [16]

Before the start of the 2016 season, Frederick was named one of the five team captains. [17] That year, Frederick helped pave the way for rookie running back Ezekiel Elliott to the NFL rushing yards leader and his first Pro Bowl while protecting rookie quarterback Dak Prescott to his first Pro Bowl as well. He was named to his third straight Pro Bowl and was named First-team All-Pro, both honors being shared with fellow Cowboy offensive linemen Tyron Smith and Zack Martin. [18] He was also ranked 87th on the NFL Top 100 Players of 2017 as the only center in the list. [19]

On December 19, 2017, Frederick was named to his fourth straight Pro Bowl alongside tackle Tyron Smith and guard Zack Martin for the second straight year. [20]

On September 3, 2018, Frederick was placed on injured reserve to start the 2018 season after being diagnosed with Guillain–Barré syndrome on August 22. [21] He was inactive for the first four games before inevitably being placed on the reserve/non-football illness list on October 6, 2018. [22]

Frederick was named to his fifth Pro Bowl in 2019.

On March 23, 2020, Frederick announced his retirement from professional football. [23] [24]

Other endeavors

Frederick, with Peter Romenesko, co-founded Demiplane in 2019. Demiplane acts as a digital platform for various tabletop role-playing game tools such as game hosting and matchmaking along with digital compendiums for licensed games; the platform launched in 2020. [25] [26] Frederick is the company's chief operating officer. [27] On the change of direction in his career, Frederick said, "I really enjoy the challenge of something new". [28]

Personal life

Frederick double majored in computer engineering and computer science at the University of Wisconsin. [29]

On August 22, 2018, Frederick was diagnosed with Guillain–Barré syndrome. [30] [31] [32]

Frederick has two brothers, Tyler and Collin.

Related Research Articles

Larry Christopher Allen Jr. is an American former football guard who played in the National Football League (NFL) for fourteen seasons, primarily with the Dallas Cowboys. He played college football for the Butte Roadrunners and the Sonoma State Cossacks, and was selected by the Cowboys in the second round of the 1994 NFL draft. Allen is regarded as one of the NFL's physically strongest players ever, while also capable of using his speed against defenders.

Mark Matthew Stepnoski is an American former professional football player who was an offensive lineman in the National Football League (NFL). He attended Cathedral Preparatory School in Erie, Pennsylvania, and went on to star at the University of Pittsburgh. He played 13 seasons in the NFL, with the Dallas Cowboys from 1989 to 1994, with the Houston / Tennessee Oilers from 1995 to 1998, and back to the Cowboys for three more seasons. Stepnoski won two Super Bowls with the Cowboys and was selected to five consecutive Pro Bowls from 1992 to 1996.

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

Leonard Barnett Davis is an American former professional football guard for 12 seasons in the National Football League (NFL). He was a consensus All-American playing college football for the Texas Longhorns, where he was also a two-time Outland Trophy finalist and a Lombardi Trophy semifinalist. Davis was selected by the Arizona Cardinals with the second overall pick in the 2001 NFL draft. He played for the Cardinals, the Dallas Cowboys - where he was a three-time Pro-Bowler and a second team All-Pro - and the San Francisco 49ers, with whom he went to Super Bowl XLVII. He also spent part of a season with the Detroit Lions, but never took the field for them.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Brooks Bollinger</span> American football player (born 1979)

Brooks Michael Bollinger is an American former professional football player who was a quarterback in the National Football League (NFL) for the New York Jets, Minnesota Vikings, Dallas Cowboys and Detroit Lions. He also was a member of the Florida Tuskers in the United Football League (UFL). He played college football for the Wisconsin Badgers.

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

Andre Bernard Gurode is an American football coach and former player who is the offensive line coach for the San Antonio Brahmas of the United Football League (UFL). He played as a center and guard in the National Football League (NFL). Gurode played college football for the Colorado Buffaloes, earning consensus All-American honors. He was selected by the Dallas Cowboys in the second round of the 2002 NFL draft. During his eight seasons with Dallas, he was named to five Pro Bowls. In his final three seasons, Gurode spent one year each with the Baltimore Ravens, Chicago Bears, and Oakland Raiders.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ralph Neely</span> American football player (1943–2022)

Ralph Eugene Neely was an American professional football player who was an offensive tackle for the Dallas Cowboys in the National Football League (NFL). He played 13 seasons and 172 games for the Cowboys from 1965 to 1977.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Joe Thomas (offensive tackle)</span> American football player (born 1984)

Joseph Hayden Thomas is an American former professional football player who was an offensive tackle for 11 seasons with the Cleveland Browns in the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at Wisconsin, earned unanimous All-American honors, and was recognized as the top college interior lineman. The Browns chose Thomas with the third overall pick in the 2007 NFL draft. He was invited to the Pro Bowl in each of his first 10 seasons and did not miss a single play in his career until the 2017 season ; his 10,363 consecutive snaps played is the longest streak since the NFL began recording snap counts in 1999. He is regarded as one of the best offensive linemen of all time. In 2023, Thomas was elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame in his first year of eligibility, becoming the first Cleveland Brown inductee since their reactivation in 1999.

Robert Leslie Shaw is an American former professional football player who was a center in the National Football League (NFL) for the Dallas Cowboys. He played college football at the University of Tennessee.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tyron Smith</span> American football player (born 1990)

Tyron Jerrar Smith is an American football offensive tackle for the New York Jets of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the USC Trojans where he won the Morris Trophy, recognizing the best offensive and defensive linemen on the West Coast, in 2010. Smith was selected by the Dallas Cowboys with the ninth overall pick in the 2011 NFL draft. In 13 seasons with the Cowboys, Smith was an eight-time Pro Bowler, a five-time All-Pro, and was named to the 2010s All-Decade Team.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Montee Ball</span> American football player (born 1990)

Montee Ball Jr. is an American former professional football player who was a running back in the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Wisconsin Badgers, recognized twice as the best running back in the Big Ten Conference and earning consensus first-team All-American honors. He was selected by the Denver Broncos in the second round of the 2013 NFL Draft. He was also a member of the New England Patriots.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Peter Konz</span> American football player (born 1989)

Peter Konz is a former American football guard. He was drafted by the Atlanta Falcons in the second round of the 2012 NFL Draft. He played college football at Wisconsin.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kevin Zeitler</span> American football player (born 1990)

Kevin Zeitler is an American football guard for the Detroit Lions of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Wisconsin Badgers, and earned consensus All-American honors. He was selected by the Cincinnati Bengals in the first round of the 2012 NFL draft and he has also played for the Cleveland Browns, New York Giants, and Baltimore Ravens.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Joe Looney (offensive lineman)</span> American football player (born 1990)

Joseph Donald Looney is a former American football center. He was selected by the San Francisco 49ers in the fourth round of the 2012 NFL Draft. He played college football at Wake Forest University.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Zack Martin</span> American football player (born 1990)

Zachary Edward Martin is an American football guard for the Dallas Cowboys of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Notre Dame Fighting Irish and was selected by the Cowboys in the first round of the 2014 NFL draft. Named to the NFL 2010s All-Decade Team, Martin has made nine Pro Bowl and nine All-Pro teams.

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

Ezekiel Elijah Elliott, nicknamed "Zeke", is an American football running back for the Dallas Cowboys of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Ohio State Buckeyes, earning second-team All-American honors in 2015. Elliott was selected by the Cowboys fourth overall in the 2016 NFL draft. In eight seasons in the NFL, he was a three-time Pro Bowl, two-time All-Pro selection, and led the league in rushing yards in 2016 and 2018.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Corey Clement</span> American football player (born 1994)

Corey Joel Clement is an American football running back who is a free agent. He played college football at Wisconsin, and was signed by the Philadelphia Eagles as an undrafted free agent in 2017. He won Super Bowl LII with the team his rookie season, catching a touchdown in the game and helping execute the Philly Special.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Rob Havenstein</span> American football player (born 1992)

Rob Havenstein is an American football offensive tackle for the Los Angeles Rams of the National Football League (NFL). He was drafted by the St. Louis Rams in the second round of the 2015 NFL Draft. He played college football at Wisconsin.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">CeeDee Lamb</span> American football player (born 1999)

Cedarian DeLeon "CeeDee" Lamb is an American football wide receiver for the Dallas Cowboys of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at Oklahoma where he was a consensus All-American in 2019, and was drafted by the Cowboys in the first round of the 2020 NFL draft.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tyler Biadasz</span> American football player (born 1997)

Tyler Biadasz is an American football center for the Washington Commanders of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Wisconsin Badgers, where he was recognized as a unanimous All-American and won the Rimington Trophy in 2019. He was selected by the Dallas Cowboys in the fourth round of the 2020 NFL draft.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jake Ferguson</span> American football player (born 1999)

Jake Ferguson is an American football tight end for the Dallas Cowboys of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at Wisconsin and was drafted by the Cowboys in the fourth round of the 2022 NFL draft.

References

  1. ↑ "Former Big Foot star Travis Frederick no ordinary UW freshman". Janesville Gazette. August 17, 2009.
  2. ↑ "Travis Frederick". Athletic.net.
  3. ↑ "2009 Offensive Tackles Prospect Ranking". rivals.com. January 15, 2009. Retrieved February 15, 2009.
  4. ↑ "UW staff hopes to get through 2010 without Frederick". www.jsonline.com.
  5. ↑ "NFL football news, rumors, analysis". Pro Football Weekly. Archived from the original on December 15, 2012.
  6. ↑ "Wisconsin's Frederick announces he's going pro". January 4, 2013.
  7. ↑ "Travis Frederick stands pat at pro day". The Chippewa Herald. March 7, 2013.
  8. ↑ "Frederick believes his performance on the field is enough for pro scouts". Walworth County Today. March 7, 2013.
  9. ↑ "Cowboys' Potential Draft Pick: Travis Frederick, C, Wisconsin". NBCDFW.com. March 26, 2013.
  10. ↑ "Travis Frederick NFL Draft profile". NFL.com. March 1, 2013. Retrieved March 3, 2013.
  11. ↑ "Travis Frederick rating". NFLDraftScout.com. March 1, 2013. Retrieved March 3, 2013.
  12. ↑ "2013 NFL Draft Listing". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved May 14, 2023.
  13. ↑ "Travis Frederick surprised at selection". ESPN.com. April 26, 2013. Retrieved April 3, 2014.
  14. ↑ "Roster Rundown: Frederick Exceeded First-Round Hopes". DallasCowboys.com. March 3, 2014. Retrieved April 3, 2014.
  15. ↑ "Sean Lee gets INT, center Travis Frederick takes a snap at QB; plus how much money each Cowboy made at the Pro Bowl". DallasNews.com. January 2016. Retrieved June 13, 2017.
  16. ↑ Wesseling, Chris (August 13, 2016). "Travis Frederick signs six-year, $56.4M extension". NFL.com. Retrieved July 23, 2017.
  17. ↑ "Cowboys Vote 5 Team Captains For 2016 Season". September 9, 2016.
  18. ↑ "Three rookies, Matt Ryan among players named to All-Pro team". NFL.com. January 6, 2017.
  19. ↑ "'Top 100 Players of 2017': No. 87 Travis Frederick". NFL.com.
  20. ↑ "NFL announces 2018 Pro Bowl rosters". NFL.com. December 19, 2017. Retrieved December 26, 2017.
  21. ↑ "Cowboys plan to keep OL Travis Frederick on roster". NFL.com. Retrieved September 3, 2018.
  22. ↑ Helman, David (October 6, 2018). "Cowboys Make Two Injury Moves Ahead Of Week 5". DallasCowboys.com.
  23. ↑ "Cowboys C Travis Frederick announces retirement". Dallas News. March 23, 2020. Retrieved March 23, 2020.
  24. ↑ Walker, Patrik. "Cowboys center Travis Frederick announces retirement at age 29". www.cbssports.com. Retrieved August 3, 2020.
  25. ↑ "Demiplane Hires D&D Beyond Founder Adam Bradford". ComicBook.com . March 4, 2021. Retrieved June 29, 2022.
  26. ↑ "Demiplane's plan to make the world a better place with virtual tabletop gaming tools". VentureBeat. May 31, 2021. Retrieved June 29, 2022.
  27. ↑ Sheehan, Gavin (March 7, 2021). "Adam Bradford Heads To Demiplane As Chief Development Officer". Bleeding Cool News And Rumors. Retrieved June 29, 2022.
  28. ↑ Whitt, Richie (April 20, 2022). "Cowboys Comeback: OL Help From Surprise Unretirement?". Sports Illustrated . Retrieved June 29, 2022.
  29. ↑ "Lions host C Travis Frederick and LB Jeremiah Green for pre-draft visits Friday".
  30. ↑ Helman, David (August 22, 2018). "Frederick Diagnosed With Guillian Barré Syndrome". DallasCowboys.com.
  31. ↑ Epstein, Jori (November 16, 2018). "Cowboys' Travis Frederick sees hope, progress after 'scary' Guillain-Barre Syndrome diagnosis". USA TODAY. Retrieved June 29, 2022.
  32. ↑ "Cowboys OL Frederick, 29, announces retirement". ESPN.com. March 23, 2020. Retrieved June 29, 2022.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.