[su_spacer size=”20″] At number 21, we come to another legendary Georgia Bulldawg football player, Frank Sinkwich, who was also known as “Flat Foot Frankie.” Like another Bulldawg legend, Charlie Trippi, “Flatfoot” was not a native of the Peach State. He was born in McKees Rock, Pennsylvania and played varsity high school football in Youngstown, Ohio at Cheney high school where he was a star.
[su_spacer size=”40″] Sinkwich played half-back for the Dawgs varsity football team in 1940, 1941, and 1942 for another Georgia legend, Coach Wally Butts. During his career at UGA, the fleet and flat footed Sinkwich rushed for 2,271 yards and 30 touchdowns. He also passed for 2,331 yards and 30 yards through the air.
[su_spacer size=”40″] Sinkwich was not only fleet of foot, but he was also as tough as they come. Early on in Georgia’s 1941 season, he broke his jaw; so, he played the remainder of the season from the 3rd game on with his jaw wired shut and a large “jaw protector” on his helmet. In fact, his jaw was still broken and wired shut when the Dawgs received their first bowl bid to the 1942 Orange Bowl versus TCU. To this day, many believe that Sinkwich’s bowl performance against TCU was one of the greatest of all time in Orange Bowl history. He helped lead UGA to a 40-26 win over the Horned Frogs by rushing for 139 yards on the ground and passing 243 yards through the air, scoring 3 touchdowns.
[su_spacer size=”40″] Sinkwich would again show his tenacity and toughness during the 1943 Rose Bowl where he played on two sprained ankles. He along with Charlie Trippi helped the Dawgs to a 9-0 win over UCLA, with the lone touchdown of the bowl game being scored by Sinkwich.
[su_spacer size=”40″] Sinkwich was named an All-American and All-SEC in 1941 and 1942. He is the University of Georgia’s first Heisman Trophy Award winner, which he earned for his performance during the 1942 season. He is one of only four players in the history of University of Georgia football to have his number 21 jersey retired.
[su_spacer size=”40″] Frank Sinkwich AKA: “Flat Foot Frankie” UGA Georgia Bulldogs
[su_spacer size=”40″] After graduating with a Bachelor of Science in Education degree from Georgia, Sinkwich joined the United States Marine Corps but was medically discharged due to his flat feet. He entered the 1943 NFL Draft and was selected by the Detroit Lions first overall where he was an All-Pro in 1943 and 1944 and NFL MVP in 1944. He was accepted into the United States Army Air Force after the Lion’s 1944 season and played football for the US Armed Forces on the 2nd Air Force Service team. Unfortunately, Sinkwich suffered a knee injury in 1945 that would eventually lead to the end of his football playing career after the 1947 season.
[su_spacer size=”40″] Frank Sinkwich was inducted into the National College Football Hall of Fame in 1954 and the State of Georgia Sports Hall of fame in 1964. He was inducted as a member of the University of Georgia Circle of Honor in 1996 posthumously after his death in 1990.