Frank Kuchta

Frank Kuchta

No. 56, 52
Position:	Center Linebacker
Personal information
Born:	(1936-09-18)September 18, 1936 Cleveland, Ohio, U.S.
Died:	November 24, 2017(2017-11-24) (aged 81) Lyndhurst, Ohio, U.S.
Career information
High school:	Cleveland (OH) Benedictine
College:	Notre Dame
NFL draft:	1958 / round: 9 / pick: 102
Career history
Washington Redskins (1958–1959) Denver Broncos (1960)
Career NFL statistics
Games played: 26 Fumble recoveries: 1 Stats at Pro Football Reference

Frank William Kuchta (September 18, 1936 – November 24, 2017) was an American professional football center and linebacker^[1] in the National Football League (NFL) for the Washington Redskins. He was also among the players of the inaugural Denver Broncos team in the American Football League (AFL).^[2]

He played college football at the University of Notre Dame and was drafted in the ninth round of the 1958 NFL draft.^[3] During his career at the University of Notre Dame he played in the historic 1957 Notre Dame vs the University of Oklahoma game where the Irish broke Oklahoma's 47-game winning streak—a streak which stands to this day. He made a crucial tackle to help win the game and was awarded AP Lineman of the Week.

After leaving the NFL, he played for a season with the Calgary Stampeders in the Canadian Football League (CFL).^[4]

References

1. Troup, T. J. (2014). The Birth of Football's Modern 4-3 Defense: The Seven Seasons That Changed the NFL. Rowman & Littlefield Publishers. p. 296. ISBN 978-1-4422-3796-4. Retrieved June 11, 2016.
2. "Former Broncos center Frank Kuchta passes away at 81". 247sports.com. Retrieved December 18, 2017.
3. Marder, Keith; Spellen, Mark; Donovan, Jim (2001). The Notre Dame Football Encyclopedia: The Ultimate Guide to America's Favorite College Team. Kensington Publishing Corporation. p. 288. ISBN 978-0-8065-2108-4. Retrieved June 11, 2016.
4. Scott, Dunc (July 17, 1961). "Two New Linemen Join Stampeders". Calgary Herald. p. 9. Retrieved June 1, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.