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| No. 55 | |||||||||
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| Position: | Linebacker | ||||||||
| Personal information | |||||||||
| Born: | (1952-03-12)March 12, 1952 Lexington, Kentucky, U.S. | ||||||||
| Died: | March 23, 2023(2023-03-23) (aged 71) | ||||||||
| Height: | 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) | ||||||||
| Weight: | 232 lb (105 kg) | ||||||||
| Career information | |||||||||
| College: | Kentucky | ||||||||
| NFL draft: | 1974 / round: 4 / pick: 89 | ||||||||
| Career history | |||||||||
| * Offseason and/or practice squad member only | |||||||||
| Career highlights and awards | |||||||||
| Career NFL statistics | |||||||||
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Frank Preston LeMaster (March 12, 1952 – March 23, 2023) was a professional American football linebacker in the National Football League who played for the Philadelphia Eagles from 1974 through 1982. At 6'1", 195 lbs., LeMaster was drafted by the Eagles from the University of Kentucky in the fourth round of the 1974 NFL Draft. He was selected to his one and only Pro Bowl in 1981.
LeMaster died on March 23, 2023, at the age of 71.
Early life and education
LeMaster was born on March 12, 1952, in Lexington, Kentucky. He attended Bryan Station High School, and despite only seeing major action in his last two seasons, compiled 40 touchdowns, 3,000 yards, and helped them reach the Class AA state finals while playing fullback. After his graduation from there, LeMaster played four seasons for the Kentucky Wildcats from 1970 to 1973. He spent his freshman year at his high school position before changing to halfback as a sophomore. He started the first two games of 1971 at halfback, but only was given the ball 10 times, averaging four yards-per-carry.
LeMaster's coach then shifted him to being a reserve, and after playing three games in that role, was changed to being a tight end; he spent a time in that position, recording one reception for eight yards, but was then asked to play linebacker. He was then asked to return to being a halfback, before finally becoming a linebacker; all of these moves occurred during his sophomore year, although during this entire period (with the exception of his two starts at halfback) he only played on special teams.
Through the first five games of the 1972 season, LeMaster, remaining an inside linebacker, was the leading tackler on the team. However, after a loss to North Carolina, he was benched, with the coaching staff blaming him for poor defense. He was asked to switch to outside linebacker, but refused, and the rest of the year on the bench. He was a starter as a senior, but not a single National Football League (NFL) team show interest in him during the season. However, he was named All-American at the end of the year, and was invited through the efforts of Kentucky assistant Buckshot Underwood to several all-star games, including the Blue–Gray Football Classic, at which he served as a team captain. An impressive performance there led to him receiving interest from NFL scouts.
Professional career
LeMaster was selected by the Philadelphia Eagles in the fourth round (89th overall) of the 1974 NFL Draft.
Later life and death
References
- "Eagles mourn the passing of Frank LeMaster". Philadelphia Eagles. 25 March 2023. Retrieved 26 March 2023.
- "Frank LeMaster". Pro Football Archives.
- Ruehling, Mike (November 22, 1969). "Bryan Station Gains State Finals". Lexington Herald-Leader. p. 8 – via Newspapers.com.
- Sullivan, Mike (April 6, 1973). "On the way up after seasons of uncertainty". The Courier-Journal. p. 21 – via Newspapers.com.
- "Frank LeMaster". Pro Football Archives.
- Moss, Steve (March 25, 2023). "UK great Frank Lemaster dies". WKYT-TV.
- Sullivan, Mike (April 6, 1973). "On the way up after seasons of uncertainty". The Courier-Journal. p. 21 – via Newspapers.com.
- Sullivan, Mike (April 6, 1973). "On the way up after seasons of uncertainty". The Courier-Journal. p. 21 – via Newspapers.com.
- Sullivan, Mike (April 6, 1973). "On the way up after seasons of uncertainty". The Courier-Journal. p. 21 – via Newspapers.com.
- Sullivan, Mike (April 6, 1973). "On the way up after seasons of uncertainty". The Courier-Journal. p. 21 – via Newspapers.com.
- Sullivan, Mike (April 6, 1973). "On the way up after seasons of uncertainty". The Courier-Journal. p. 21 – via Newspapers.com.
- Sullivan, Mike (April 6, 1973). "On the way up after seasons of uncertainty". The Courier-Journal. p. 21 – via Newspapers.com.
- Sullivan, Mike (April 6, 1973). "On the way up after seasons of uncertainty". The Courier-Journal. p. 21 – via Newspapers.com.
- Clay, John (May 29, 1985). "Plenty of heart made LeMaster's NFL career tick". Lexington Herald-Leader. p. 21, 25 – via Newspapers.com.
- Clay, John (May 29, 1985). "Plenty of heart made LeMaster's NFL career tick". Lexington Herald-Leader. p. 21, 25 – via Newspapers.com.
- "Frank LeMaster". Chester County Sports Hall of Fame.
- Clay, John (May 29, 1985). "Plenty of heart made LeMaster's NFL career tick". Lexington Herald-Leader. p. 21, 25 – via Newspapers.com.
- "1974 NFL Draft". Pro Football Archives.
| Philadelphia Eagles 1974 NFL draft selections | |
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