Background
Known as "Knute", Franckhauser was born in Steubenville, Ohio, and played high school football there at Catholic Central High School.
Known as "Knute", Franckhauser was born in Steubenville, Ohio, and played high school football there at Catholic Central High School.
He played college football at Purdue University. He accepted a scholarship from Purdue University, where he became a three-year starter at offensive education In 1957, he helped his team upset Michigan State University, which was ranked number one in the nation at the time.
As a senior he was named the team"s Most Valuable Player.
Los Angeles Rams
Franckhauser was selected by the Los Angeles Rams in the third round (33rd overall) of the 1959 NFL Draft.
As a rookie, he focused on playing at cornerback and had three interceptions. Dallas Cowboys
He was selected by the Dallas Cowboys in the 1960 NFL Expansion Draft.
He became the first player in Dallas Cowboys history to carry the football during a regular season game as he returned the opening kickoff in their inaugural regular season game. He also became the first starter at left cornerback in franchise history and tied with Don Bishop, for the team lead in interceptions (3).
In 1961, he was passed on the depth chart by Warren Livingston.
He was activated on November 7 and played in only 6 games (4 starts), after Livingston was placed on the injured reserve list. On December 31, he was traded to the Cleveland Browns in exchange for punter Sam Baker. Cleveland Browns
In September 1962, he was traded along with offensive tackle Errol Linden, offensive end Charley Ferguson and placekicker Fred Cox, to the Minnesota Vikings in exchange for a sixth round selection (#72-Ernie Borghetti).
Minnesota Vikings
In 1962, he was one of the key players in the Minnesota Vikings defense, finishing the year with 4 interceptions.
In 1964, he suffered a near fatal brain injury while tackling rookie Bill McWatters in a training camp scrimmage. He would be lost for the season and forced into early retirement.
