Frank Minnifield

Frank Minnifield

No. 1, 31
Position:	Cornerback
Personal information
Date of birth:	(1960-01-01) January 1, 1960
Place of birth:	Lexington, Kentucky
Height:
Weight:
Career information
High school:	Lexington (KY) Clay
College:	Louisville
Career history
Chicago Blitz (1983) (USFL) Arizona Wranglers (1984) (USFL) Cleveland Browns (1984–1992)
Career highlights and awards
4× Pro Bowl selection (1986, 1987, 1988, 1989) NFL 1980s All-Decade Team Inducted into KY Pro Football HOF (2004)
Career NFL statistics
Interceptions: 20 INT yards: 124 Fumble recoveries: 7 Player stats at NFL.com

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.

High school career

Minnifield attended Henry Clay High School in Lexington.

College career

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.

Professional career

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. Known for his aggressive bump-and-run coverage and hard hitting style, 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.

Personal

Upon retirement, Minnifield founded Minnifield All-Pro Homes, a homebuilding 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.

Minnifield's son Chase is a cornerback for the Washington Redskins. Frank Minnifield was elected Chairman of the University of Louisville Trustees on September the 15th 2011.

See also

• List of NCAA major college yearly punt and kickoff return leaders

External links

• Biography, University of Kentucky "Notable Kentucky African-Americans" project
• University of Louisville biography