Ben Fricke

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Ben Fricke
No. 69, 66
Position:
Center
Personal information
Born:(1975-11-13)November 13, 1975
Austin, Texas, U.S.
Died:February 21, 2011(2011-02-21) (aged 35)
Plano, Texas, U.S.
Height:6 ft 0 in (1.83 m)
Weight:280 lb (127 kg)
Career information
High school:Anderson (TX)
College:Houston
NFL draft:1998 / Round: 7 / Pick: 213
Career history
 * Offseason and/or practice squad member only
Career highlights and awards
Career NFL statistics
Games Played:19
Games Started:5
Player stats at NFL.com · PFR

Benjamin Todd Fricke (November 3, 1975 – February 21, 2011) was an

center in the National Football League (NFL) for the Dallas Cowboys. He also was a member of the Amsterdam Admirals in NFL Europe. He played college football at the University of Houston
.

Early years

Fricke attended

Anderson High School
, where he was an All-district selection on both offense and defense as a sophomore and junior.

As a senior, he was switched to

track
.

College career

Fricke received a football scholarship from the

defensive lineman. As a freshman, he was moved to center
.

He became a four-year starter and was named

All-American
as a senior, when he did not allow a sack.

Professional career

New York Giants

Fricke was selected by the

1998 NFL Draft, after dropping because he was considered undersized for the position.[1][2] He was waived on August 23.[3]

Amsterdam Admirals (NFLE)

In 1999, he was selected by the Amsterdam Admirals in the 11th round of the NFL Europe draft. He was the starter at center, helping running back David Thompson finish fourth in the league with 503 rushing yards.

Dallas Cowboys

On August 3, 1999, he signed as a free agent with the Dallas Cowboys, to provide depth in training camp because of injuries.[4] He was cut on September 22. He was re-signed on October 5.[5] He was released on October 27 and signed to the practice squad the next day.[6] He was promoted to the active roster on November 19. He appeared in 3 games and was declared inactive in 4 contests.

In 2000, he was declared inactive in 7 of the first 9 games. He started five games at center in place of Mark Stepnoski, who suffered a sprained MCL in his left knee in the eleventh game against the Baltimore Ravens.[7]

In

training camp to replace the recently released Dale Hellestrae, but remained as a backup at center, appearing in 7 games. He was cut on June 13, 2002.[8]

San Francisco 49ers

In June 2002, he was signed by the San Francisco 49ers. He was released on August 8.[9]

Personal life

Fricke was the offensive coordinator and offensive line coach at Centennial High School for three years.[10] On February 21, 2011, he died at the age of 35 from colon cancer.[11]

References

  1. ^ "1998 NFL Draft Listing". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved January 3, 2023.
  2. ^ "N.F.L. DRAFT '98; Giants to Sign Brown and Cut Hampton". The New York Times. Retrieved January 3, 2023.
  3. ^ "Transactions". The New York Times. Retrieved January 3, 2018.
  4. ^ "Transactions". The Baltimore Sun. Retrieved January 3, 2023.
  5. ^ "Transactions". The Baltimore Sun. Retrieved January 3, 2023.
  6. ^ "Transactions". The New York Times. Retrieved January 3, 2023.
  7. ^ "Reports: Ben Fricke dies". Retrieved January 3, 2023.
  8. ^ "Transactions". The New York Times. Retrieved January 3, 2023.
  9. ^ "Transactions". The New York Times. Retrieved January 3, 2023.
  10. ^ "Centennial coach, ex-Cowboy dies of cancer". Retrieved January 3, 2023.
  11. ^ "Former Cowboys center Ben Fricke dies at 35". Retrieved January 3, 2023.

External links

Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Ben_Fricke&oldid=1216784971"