Sam Francis (American football)
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| Date of birth | October 26, 1913 |
|---|---|
| Place of birth | Dunbar, Nebraska |
| Date of death | April 23, 2002 (aged 88) |
| Place of death | Springfield, Missouri |
| Career information | |
| Position(s) | Fullback, Halfback |
| College | Nebraska |
| NFL draft | 1937 / Round: 1 / Pick 1 |
| Career history | |
| As coach | |
| 1947 | Kansas State |
| As player | |
| 1937–1938 | Chicago Bears |
| 1939 | Pittsburgh Pirates |
| 1939–1940 | Brooklyn Dodgers |
| Career stats | |
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| Military career | |
| Allegiance | United States |
| Service/branch | Army |
| Rank | Lieutenant Colonel |
Harrison Samuel "Sam" Francis (October 26, 1913 – April 23, 2002) was an American football player and coach, Olympic shot putter, and Army officer.
Francis was born in Dunbar, Nebraska, and graduated from high school in Oberlin, Kansas.
He played college football at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, where, in 1936, he was the runner-up for the Heisman Trophy. Francis was also an exceptional athlete in track and field and placed fourth in the shot put at the 1936 Summer Olympics.
Francis was the first overall selection in the 1937 NFL Draft by the Philadelphia Eagles. His rights were traded to the Chicago Bears in exchange for Bill Hewitt and $4,000 in cash on February 15, 1937. He played in the NFL for four years with the Bears, Pittsburgh Pirates, and Brooklyn Dodgers before leaving to get a master's degree at the University of Iowa and serve in the Army during World War II.
After gaining experience serving as head coach for the football team at Camp Lee during World War II, Francis was hired as the head football coach at Kansas State University for the 1947 season. Francis coached at Kansas State for one year, compiling a record of 0–10.
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