- Fran Rogel
NFL player
DateOfBirth=December 12, 1927
Birthplace=North Braddock, Pennsylvania
DateOfDeath=death date and age|2002|6|3|1927|12|12
Deathplace=Richland, Pennsylvania
College=California State Teachers College,
Penn State
Position=Fullback
DraftedYear=1950
DraftedRound=8 / Pick 100
Stats=y
DatabaseFootball=ROGELFRA01
PFR=RogeFr00
years=1950-1957
1958
teams=Pittsburgh Steelers Hamilton Tiger-Cats
ProBowls=1Francis Stephen Rogel (December 12, 1927 in
North Braddock, Pennsylvania – June 4, 2002 inRichland, Pennsylvania ) was anAmerican football fullback for thePittsburgh Steelers of theNFL .Collegiate career
Unable to enroll at Penn State due to the college's post-World War II policy of giving admissions priority to returning veterans, Rogel spent the 1946 season playing at the California State Teachers College. cite web | url = http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/valleyindependent/news/s_552594.html | title = Rogel's college career started at Cal State | publisher = "The Valley Independent" | last = Paglia | first = Ron | date = 2008-02-14 | accessdate = 2008-02-16 ] There he, along with other top-tier talent awaiting admission, helped propel the Vulcans football team to a 9-0-0 record.
Rogel continued on to Penn State, where he was a star fullback and
linebacker for three seasons. He was the Nittany Lions' leading rusher each of those seasons and was on the 1948 Cotton Bowl team which tied Southern Methodist, 13-13.NFL and CFL
Rogel was drafted by the Steelers in the eighth round (#100 overall) in the
1950 NFL Draft where he did not miss a game his eight seasons with the team (1950-1957). cite web | url = http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/more/news/2002/12/29/2002_deaths_ap | title = 2002 Notable Sports Deaths | publisher = "Sports Illustrated " | date = 2002-12-29 | accessdate = 2008-02-16 ] Rogel's style of play could be characterized by "Hey diddle diddle, Rogel up the middle"—a popular cheer by Steelers fans. At the time of his retirement following the 1957 season, he was the Steelers' leading career rusher with 3,271 yards. He was aPro Bowl selection in his final season. Rogel also played briefly in theCanadian Football League .Rogel died of
Parkinson's disease at age 74 on June 3, 2002, inRichland, Pennsylvania .External links
*It is interesting to note that in 1959 Rogel was the playing coach of the Sarnia Golden Bears in the semi-pro ORFU. Because of his running style he was nicknamed "twinkle toes".
References
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