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| Frankie Albert | |
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Position: Quarterback |
| Member Biography | |
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While Frankie Albert possessed immense physical abilities, his
success partly stems from being in the right place at the right
time. In 1939, Albert had a mediocre sophomore season
playing tailback in Stanford's single-wing offense. His play was
so poor that he considered quitting the Stanford squad. The
following year, Stanford hired Clark Shaughnessy as the head
coach. Known as the "Father of the T Formation,"
Shaughnessy saw that Albert was an excellent ball handler and
passer whose skills were well suited to playing quarterback in his
revolutionary "T" formation. Stanford set an NCAA record
for improvement in 1940 going from a 1-7-1 record in 1939 to
a perfect 10-0 mark in 1940. The 1940 season included a
21-13 victory over Nebraska in the Rose Bowl and a number
two national ranking. The 1940 team featured fellow Hall of
Fame members Hugh Gallarneau and Chuck Taylor. Albert
received All-America recognition in both his senior and junior
seasons. Known for his ball handling abilities, Albert was
often termed as a "magician" and is said to have perfected the
bootleg play. Following graduation, Albert served in the Navy
during World War II, then launched an All-Pro career with the
San Francisco Forty-Niners.
Albert stood 5-9 in height, weighed 166, and was a left-handed passer. Against Nebraska in the Rose Bowl he completed a 41-yard touchdown pass, kicked 3 extra points, and had an 85-yard punt. He played for the San Francisco 49ers in 1946-52 and was the 49ers head coach from 1956-58.
He was born Jan. 27, 1920, in Chicago. He died Sept. 4, 2002, in Palo Alto, California.
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