You can still find old college football players from the mid-1960s who can recall tackles delivered by Tennessee linebacker, Frank Emanuel. A native of Newport News, Virginia, Frank Emanuel played football at the University of Tennessee from 1963-1965, and earned All-SEC and All-American honors in his senior season. Emanuel joined the Vols after a distinguished prep career at Warwick High School that saw him earn All-State football honors and two state championships in wrestling. At 6’2″ and 228 pounds, Emanuel ranged far and wide across the gridiron to disrupt opposing offenses. He and his linebacker buddy, Tom Fisher, teamed up to give the Vols a matchless set of linebackers. From that point through today, Tennessee linebackers have acquired a reputation for sturdiness as more and more wearers of the Orange and White capture all-star recognition. “Frank played football the way you liked to see it played,” his collegiate coach, Doug Dickey, said in 1965. “It’s hard to find a young man who has worked harder than Frank to be a better player.” After concluding his Vol career in a 27-6 Vol win in the 1965 Bluebonnet Bowl, Emanuel was drafted by the Miami Dolphins. He played for the Dolphins from 1966 – 1969, before going to the New Orleans Saints in 1970 for his final season. He coached professionally for the Jacksonville Bulls of the USFL and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Emanuel joined the staff at the University of Tennessee in 1971, and later served stints at both Vanderbilt and the University of Memphis. He was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 2004. Emanuel is now with the Principal Financial Group in Tampa, Florida and is an active member of the local community. He and his wife reside in Tampa.
