Frank Tripucka

Francis Joseph Tripucka (December 8, 1927 – September 12, 2013) was an American professional football quarterback who played 15 seasons across three leagues. He spent four seasons in the National Football League, eight in the Canadian Football League, and four in the American Football League.

At Notre Dame, the 6'2", 172-pound Tripucka was a three-time letter-winner. He backed up Heisman Trophy winner Johnny Lujack on unbeaten squads in 1946 and 1947. As a freshman in 1945, he completed his only pass for 19 yards and carried twice for eight yards. As a sophomore in 1946, he hit one of his five throws for 19 yards in relief on the national championship team, and he took roughly a quarter of Frank Leahy's 1947 squad's pass attempts.

Tripucka achieved his greatest success as the inaugural quarterback of the AFL's Denver Broncos from 1960 to 1963. During Denver's inaugural 1960 season, he became the first NFL or AFL quarterback to throw for 3,000 yards in a season. He earned All-Star honors after leading the league in receiving yards in 1962. In 1986, Tripucka was inducted into the Broncos Ring of Fame.