| Frank Kristufek | |
| Position: | Tackle |
| Birth Date: | 12 December 1915 |
| Birth Place: | McKees Rock, Pennsylvania |
| Death Date: | June 16, 1998 (age 82) |
| Death Place: | Torrance, California |
| Height Ft: | 6 |
| Height In: | 0 |
| Weight Lbs: | 209 |
| High School: | Mckeesport (PA) |
| College: | Pittsburgh |
| Pastteams: |
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| Pfr: | KrisFr20 |
Frank Charles Kristufek (December 12, 1915 - June 16, 1998) was an American football player.
A native of McKees Rock, Pennsylvania, Kristufek attended Mckeesport High School and played college football for Pittsburgh in 1938 and 1939. He suffered from poor eyesight that made it difficult for him to see the ball-carrier soon enough to make tackles. Accordingly, in October 1939, special shatter-proof glasses were made for him.[1] Kristufek was also a heavyweight wrestling champion while in college.[2]
Kristufek graduated from Pitt in June 1940 and signed a contract in August 1940 to play played professional football in the National Football League (NFL) for the Brooklyn Dodgers. He rejoined Jock Sutherland who had been his coach at Pitt and took over as the Dodgers' head coach in 1940.[3] He played for the Dodgers in 1940 and 1941, appearing in 22 NFL games as a tackle.[4]
Kristufek quit football due to his poor vision. His weak ees also prevented him from serving in the military during World War II. He worked in a laboratory in New Jersey during the war.[5]
Kristufek and his wife, Helen, had four children: William, Carol, Ruth, and Christopher. He lived for the final 50 years of his life in Torrance, California. He was employed by U.S. Steel for 33 years as a metallurgical engineer in Torrance. He died in Torrance in 1998 at age 82.[6] [7]