Born in Lexington, Kentucky on New Years' Day 1960, Frank Minnifield was considered too small to play football.  A scrawny 5 foot 9 and 140 pounds in high school, he gained 40 pounds after graduation and was a walk-on freshman at the University of Louisville, earning not only a spot on the team but a scholarship for his final three years, including a 1981 season where he led the nation in kickoff return yardage (an average of 30.4 yards) and his team in punt returns.

Minnifield joined the Chicago Blitz after graduation, but after the 1984 season he filed suit in an effort to be granted free agency.  He won the case, and after the 1984 season left the USFL to join the NFL and the Cleveland Browns.  There Minnifield became a fixture at cornerback, playing nine seasons and 122 games, intercepting 20 passes along the way.  For four straight years (1986-89) he was selected to the NFL's Pro Bowl, during which time he sold real estate during the off-season.  He and teammate Hanford Dixon also created a piece of Browns lore when they began barking like dogs whenever an outstanding play was made, giving birth to the team's now famous "Dawg Pound."

Following his football days Minnfield returned to his hometown, where he established Minnifield All-Pro Homes.  He continues in that business today, and also serves on the Board of Directors of Community Trust Bank as well as on the board of the Lexington Chamber of Commerce.

FRANK MINNIFIELD

Chicago Blitz,
Arizona Wranglers
.

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