Frank Coker

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Frank Coker
No. 33, 44, 58
Position:Center
Personal information
Born:(1911-03-18)March 18, 1911
San Angelo, Texas
Died:September 11, 1991(1991-09-11) (aged 80)
Texas
Height:6 ft 3 in (1.91 m)
Weight:225 lb (102 kg)
Career information
College:Daniel Baker
Career history
 * Offseason and/or practice squad member only
Career highlights and awards
  • 2× All-AA (1939, 1940)
Military career
Nickname(s)"Tex"
Buried
Paint Rock Cemetery
AllegianceTexas National Guard (1940)
United States Army (1941–?)
Years of service1940–?
RankMajor
Battles/warsWorld War II
Invasion of Italy
AwardsPurple Heart BAR.svg Purple Heart
Oak leaf clusters (2)

Frank Claud "Tex" Coker (March 18, 1911 – September 11, 1991) was an American football center. He played four seasons for the Wilmington Clippers of the American Association (AA).

Early life and education[]

Frank Coker was born on March 18, 1911, in San Angelo, Texas. He played college football at Daniel Baker College. He was there from 1933 to 1936 before playing professionally.[1]

Professional career[]

Coker was first signed as an undrafted free agent by the Philadelphia Eagles following the 1937 NFL Draft. He did not make the roster and was then sent to their new farm team, the Wilmington Clippers.[2] In his first season with the Clippers, he played and started all 11 games at the center position.[1] He also started every game in 1938 as well.[1] He changed his number from 33 to 44 in 1939 as the Clippers joined the American Association. He played in 13 games in '39, starting 10, and was named All-AA.[3] He started 9 games in 1940 before being called to the Texas National Guard and later the United States Army in World War II.[4] He was the first Clipper called to service.[5]

Military career[]

In 1941, he was called to the United States Army in World War II. He was seriously injured after the Invasion of Italy[6][7] and was then awarded the Purple Heart and two Oak leaf clusters. He achieved the rank of Major in 1945.[8]

Death[]

Coker died on September 11, 1991, at the age of 80 in Texas. He was buried at Paint Rock Cemetery.

References[]

  1. ^ a b c "Frank Coker Stats - Pro Football Archives". www.profootballarchives.com.
  2. ^ "Texans to End Grid Play Here". The News Journal. December 3, 1937 – via Newspapers.com. open access
  3. ^ "Wilmington Players Rule All-American Association Eleven. Four Clippers Get First Team Places". The News Journal. December 22, 1939 – via Newspapers.com. open access
  4. ^ "Coker, Clippers' Veteran, Called to Colors". The News Journal. November 20, 1940 – via Newspapers.com. open access
  5. ^ Whitehead, Don (July 13, 1943). "Tex Coker Conditioned Yanks For Smash on Sicily Line". The News Journal – via Newspapers.com. open access
  6. ^ "Coker, Former Clipper Star, Recovering From War Wounds". The News Journal. November 16, 1943 – via Newspapers.com. open access
  7. ^ "TEX COKER, GRID STAR, WOUNDED". The Morning News. November 17, 1943 – via Newspapers.com. open access
  8. ^ "Tex Coker Now Major in Army". The Morning News. November 7, 1945 – via Newspapers.com. open access

External links[]

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