Dempsey attended the University of Florida in Gainesville, Florida, where he played for coach Raymond Wolf's Florida Gators football team from 1946 to 1949.[3] He was a standout lineman on offense and defense for the Gators at the lowest point in the history of their football program, ironically dubbed the "Golden Era" by the players.[4] Dempsey graduated from the University of Florida with a bachelor's degree in physical education in 1950, and he was later inducted into the University of Florida Athletic Hall of Fame as a "Gator Great" in 1971.[5][6]
Dempsey was remembered as a good-natured mischief maker and for the pranks and activities of his teammates that revolved around his World War II-era surplusJeep.[7]
Professional career
The Chicago Bears selected Dempsey in the thirteenth round (166th pick overall) of the 1950 NFL draft,[8] and he played in thirty-nine games for the Bears from 1950 to 1953.[9] He was a versatile player, and at different times, he played both offense and defense, including linebacker, guard and tackle.[1]
Dempsey played his final two professional seasons in the CFL, first for the Hamilton Tiger-Cats in 1954 and the first part of 1955, and then for the Ottawa Rough Riders during the latter part of the 1955 season.[10] He was selected as a CFL East All-Star in the first CFL All-Star Game in 1955.[10]
Life after football
After Dempsey's professional football career ended, he remained in Canada and became the owner of a successful fire arms and sporting goods store.[7] In retirement, he lived in Oakville, Ontario, where he died June 1, 2013.[11]
^National Football League, Historical Players, Frank Dempsey. Retrieved March 8, 2011.
^ abCFLapedia.com, Players A–Z, Frank Dempsey. Retrieved April 27, 2011.
^"Frank Dempsey," The Peterborough Examiner (June 4, 2013). Retrieved September 11, 2013.
Bibliography
Carlson, Norm, University of Florida Football Vault: The History of the Florida Gators, Whitman Publishing, LLC, Atlanta, Georgia (2007). ISBN0-7948-2298-3.
Golenbock, Peter, Go Gators! An Oral History of Florida's Pursuit of Gridiron Glory, Legends Publishing, LLC, St. Petersburg, Florida (2002). ISBN0-9650782-1-3.
Hairston, Jack, Tales from the Gator Swamp: A Collection of the Greatest Gator Stories Ever Told, Sports Publishing, LLC, Champaign, Illinois (2002). ISBN1-58261-514-4.