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Frank Minnifield
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Frank Minnifield | |
|---|---|
| Date of birth | January 1, 1960 |
| Place of birth |  Lexington, Kentucky |
| Position(s) | Cornerback |
| College | Louisville |
| Pro Bowls | 4 |
| Honors | NFL 1980s All-Decade Team |
| Statistics | |
| Team(s) | |
| 1984-1992 | Cleveland Browns |
Frank Minnifield (born January 1, 1960, Lexington, Kentucky) is a former American football player who played defensive back for the Cleveland Browns from 1984-92.
Minnifield attended Henry Clay High School in Lexington. Considered too small for college football at just 5'9" and 140 pounds, he walked on to the football team at the University of Louisville, earning a scholarship spot for his final three years. As a junior in 1981, he led the nation in average yards per kickoff return (30.4) and led his team in punt returns.
After graduation in 1982, Minnifield joined the Chicago Blitz (later the Arizona Wranglers) of the USFL. He successfully sued the Wranglers for the right to move to the NFL, and signed as a free agent with the Browns in 1984. Minnifield became a fixture at cornerback for Cleveland and was named to the Pro Bowl four straight years from 1986-89. He was named to the NFL 1980s All-Decade Team as selected by voters of the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Perhaps more importantly to Cleveland fans, he and fellow cornerback Hanford Dixon originated and named the Dawg Pound cheering section at Cleveland Stadium.
Upon retirement, Minnifield founded Minnifield All-Pro Homes, a home-building company in Lexington. In 1993, he became the first African American executive named to the Lexington Chamber of Commerce Board, and as of 2000, he was the only African American home builder in Lexington.
- Biography, University of Kentucky "Notable Kentucky African-Americans" project
- University of Louisville biography
| National Football League | NFL's 1980s All-Decade Team |
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Joe Montana | Dan Fouts | Walter Payton | Eric Dickerson | Roger Craig | John Riggins | Jerry Rice | Steve Largent | James Lofton | Art Monk | Kellen Winslow | Ozzie Newsome | Anthony Muñoz | Jim Covert | Gary Zimmerman | Joe Jacoby | John Hannah | Russ Grimm | Bill Fralic | Mike Munchak | Dwight Stephenson | Mike Webster | Reggie White | Howie Long | Lee Roy Selmon | Bruce Smith | Randy White | |
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This biographical article relating to an American football defensive back is a stub. You can help by adding to it. |
Categories: 1960 births | Living people | American football cornerbacks | Louisville Cardinals football players | United States Football League players | Cleveland Browns players | American Conference Pro Bowl players | NFL 1980s All-Decade Team | People from Lexington, Kentucky | Defensive back stubs