 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 (2008-11-28). "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 2009-01-10.
- ^ "Bentley Historical Library -- -- U of M Football Rosters: Franks". The Regents of the University of Michigan. 2003-08-25. Archived from the original on 2011-05-29. Retrieved 2007-11-26.
- ^ Cnockaert, Jim (2004). Michigan: Where Have You Gone?. Sports Publishing. ISBN 1-58261-771-6.