Frank Nunley Explained

Birth Date:October 1, 1945
Birth Place:Lexington, Alabama, U.S.
Death Place:San Jose, California, U.S.
Position:Linebacker
College:Michigan
Draftedyear:1967
Draftedround:3 / Pick 62
Databasefootball:NUNLEFRA01
Career Highlights:
Playing Years1:1967–1976
Playing Team1:San Francisco 49ers

Frank Hembre Nunley (October 1, 1945 – June 26, 2024), nicknamed "Fudge Hammer",[1] was a former American football linebacker. He played college football at the University of Michigan from 1964 to 1966 and professional football for the San Francisco 49ers from 1967 to 1976.

Early years

Nunley was born in Lexington, Alabama, in 1945, and attended Belleville High School in Belleville, Michigan.

University of Michigan

Nunley played college football for the University of Michigan from 1964 to 1966.[2] He was selected by the Associated Press as a first-team linebacker on its 1966 All-Big Ten Conference football team.[3] He was inducted into the University of Michigan Athletic Hall of Honor in 1989.

San Francisco 49ers

Nunley was selected by the San Francisco 49ers in the third round (62nd overall pick) of the 1967 NFL/AFL draft. He remained with the 49ers for 10 seasons from 1967 to 1976.[4] Playing at the linebacker position, Nunley became a starter in 1969 and anchored the 49ers defense in the early 1970s that ran an innovative "flex" defense under Dick Nolan.[1] [5] He helped lead the 1970 and 1971 49ers teams to consecutive appearances in the NFL championship games, losing both times to the Dallas Cowboys.

Later years

After retiring from football, Nunley lived in Los Altos, California, and sold electronics for Sanmina-SCA.[6]

Notes and References

  1. News: Linebacker Frank Nunley Key to 'Frisco Defense. The Spartanburg Herald. December 29, 1971. B5.
  2. Web site: All-Time Football Roster Database. University of Michigan, Bentley Historical Library. March 9, 2015.
  3. News: Spartans Put Eight On All-Big Ten. Sarasota Herald-Tribune (AP story). November 24, 1966. 29.
  4. Web site: Frank Nunley. Sports Reference LLC. Pro-Football-Reference.com. March 9, 2015.
  5. News: Nunley: Looks Are Deceiving. Gadsden Times. December 25, 1972. 18.
  6. Book: San Francisco 49ers: Where Have You Gone? . Matt Maiocco. Skyhorse Publishing Inc.. 2011. 978-1613210451.