 Julius Franks, c. 1942 | |
| No. 63 | |
|---|---|
| Position: | Guard |
| Personal information | |
| Born: | September 5, 1922 Macon, Georgia, U.S. |
| Died: | November 26, 2008 (aged 86) Grand Rapids, Michigan, U.S. |
| Height: | 6 ft 0 in (1.83 m) |
| Weight: | 187 lb (85 kg) |
| Career information | |
| High school: | Hamtramck (MI) |
| College: | Michigan |
| Undrafted: | 1944 |
| Career highlights and awards | |
| |
Julius "Julie" Franks, Jr. (September 5, 1922[1] – November 26, 2008[2]) was a civil rights leader and an All-American guard who played football at the University of Michigan from 1941 to 1942. Franks wore #62 as a varsity letterman in 1941 and #63 in 1942.[3] Franks was the first (or second depending on the source) African-American University of Michigan player to become an All-American in football.[4] Illness cut short his collegiate athletic career.
After Michigan, Franks pursued a career in dentistry. He also became an active community leader who contributed his time to public service and who helped to integrate Grand Rapids, Michigan by financing home construction in a majority Caucasian neighborhood.
- ^ Who's Who Among African Americans (22nd ed.). Gale. 2008.
- ^ Tunison, John (November 28, 2008). "University of Michigan football guard, civic activist, dentist Julius Franks Jr. dies at age 86". Grand Rapids Press. Archived from the original on December 1, 2008. Retrieved January 10, 2009.
- ^ "Bentley Historical Library -- -- U of M Football Rosters: Franks". The Regents of the University of Michigan. August 25, 2003. Archived from the original on May 29, 2011. Retrieved November 26, 2007.
- ^ Cnockaert, Jim (2004). Michigan: Where Have You Gone?. Sports Publishing. ISBN 1-58261-771-6.