By Darin In the late 1940s, the University of California witnessed a gridiron resurgence that redefined West Coast football, and at the heart of that line was Rod Franz. A player whose tenacity far outweighed his 198-pound frame, Franz was the engine of the legendary “Pappy’s Boys” under coach Lynn Waldorf. As one of the few three-time All-Americans in the history of the Pacific Coast, he didn’t just protect the backfield—he cleared a path for a new era of Golden Bear greatness.
Football Bio
February 8, 1925 – Birth of University of California guard Rod Franz. Franz became only the second Pacific Coast player to be named a three-time All-American, helping turn Cal into a national contender. He was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 1977.
Conclusion
Rod Franz remains a singular figure in the history of California athletics. His journey from a World War II veteran in the Army Air Corps to a unanimous All-American is a testament to the “Iron Man” era of the sport. Playing forty consecutive games without a miss, he anchored teams that went to back-to-back Rose Bowls and restored the roar to Memorial Stadium. Whether as a player, a coach, or a charter member of the Cal Hall of Fame, Franz’s legacy is woven into the very fabric of the Blue and Gold.
Accolades and Football Accomplishments
- College Football Hall of Fame Inductee (Class of 1977)
- 3-time First-Team All-American (1947, 1948, 1949)
- Unanimous All-American Selection (1949)
- 3-time All-Pacific Coast Conference (PCC) (1947, 1948, 1949)
- Back-to-Back Rose Bowl Appearances (1949, 1950)
- 40 Consecutive Games Started (1946–1949)
- Cal Athletics Hall of Fame (Charter Member, 1986)
- Glenn T. Seaborg Award Recipient (1995)
- 26th Round NFL Draft Pick (1950 – Philadelphia Eagles)
