Ray Frankowski

Raymond William Frankowski (September 14, 1919 – November 27, 2001) was a guard in the National Football League (NFL) and the All-America Football Conference (AAFC). As a collegian at the University of Washington, Frankowski was named a first team All-American as a junior in 1940 and was a consensus All-American as a senior in 1941.

Early years
Frankowski was born on September 14, 1919, in Chicago, Illinois, United States. He attended Hammond High School in Hammond, Indiana, where he was a star wrestler and football player. On the mat, Hammond was undefeated for three straight years, winning every match by pin within five minutes. On the gridiron he demonstrated superior skill as a lineman, helping lead the Hammond Wildcats to the Indiana state football championship during his 1937–38 senior year.

In the spring of 1938, Frankowski announced that he would be traveling west, entering the University of Washington, being joined in the journey to the Puget Sound by Hammond High teammate Herky Bereolos. Perhaps smoothing the transition was a promise of summertime employment on an Alaskan fishing trawler made to the two young Hoosier guards by a Husky alumnus and booster. The pair arrived in Seattle in mid-June, where they met with Washington head coach Jimmy Phelan — formerly the head coach at Purdue University and thus already well-familiar with the abilities of the Indiana high school champion linemen.

While at Washington Frankowski was again successful with his athletic pursuits, being twice named a member of the All-America team and winning a place on the school's fencing and wrestling teams.

Professional football career
Frankowski was drafted by the Green Bay Packers in the third round of the 1942 NFL draft, who used the 24th pick of the draft, and played that season with the team. Following his time with the Packers, he would play three seasons with the Los Angeles Dons of the All-America Football Conference.