Frank Duncan (American football)

Born in San Francisco, Duncan attended Jefferson High School in Daly City, California. He played college ball as a strong safety at San Francisco State University. As a senior in 1978, Duncan was only a second-team all-conference selection in the Far West Conference, though he was named a Division II All-American.{{cite news|title='Obscure' Back in Shrine Game|date=December 28, 1978|newspaper=Petaluma Argus-Courier|page=10|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/petaluma-argus-courier/136898598/|access-date=December 16, 2023|via=Newspapers.com}} He played in the East–West Shrine Game, recording a game-high 11 tackles.{{cite news|first=King|last=Thompson|title=Shrine classic special thrill for these two|date=January 10, 1979|newspaper=The San Francisco Examiner|page=A-6|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-san-francisco-examiner/136898397/|access-date=December 16, 2023|via=Newspapers.com}}

Duncan was selected by the San Diego Chargers in the 12th round of the 1979 NFL draft with the 321st overall pick.{{cite news|first=Bob|last=Ortman|title=Low man on totem poll does well for Chargers|date=July 26, 1979|newspaper=Evening Tribune|page=C-2|url=https://sandiegouniontribune.newsbank.com/doc/image/v2:136E6CB81C5E443C@NGPA-CASD-185CC051CBD6472C@2444081-1859F21955A1FD3B@41-1859F21955A1FD3B@|url-access=subscription|via=NewsBank|access-date=December 16, 2023}} Their final pick of the draft, Duncan thought his chances were "slim" to make the team. After the Chargers told him that he had been waived on August 27, 1979, he went home and began packing. However, he was re-signed by San Diego the next day. Injured veterans Louie Kelcher and Doug Wilkerson, for whom the team had cleared room on their 45-man roster, were then placed on injured reserve, opening space. "Some day [Duncan] will be a starter, and not too long", predicted Chargers head coach Don Coryell.{{cite news|first=Jerry|last=Magee|title=Chargers Have Roster With Delicate Balance|date=August 29, 1979|newspaper=San Diego Union|pages=C-1, C-5|url=https://sandiegouniontribune.newsbank.com/doc/image/v2:136E6A0F0DF56B38@NGPA-CASD-13CE9D639BE0FA6D@2444115-13CE67F5C4268E94@35|url-access=subscription|via=NewsBank|access-date=December 16, 2023}}

In Duncan's first two seasons with the Chargers, he played 19 games without a start.{{cite book|title=1981 San Diego Chargers Media Guide|year=1981|publisher=San Diego Chargers|page=30|url=https://archive.org/details/chargers-1981-media-guide-san-diego-c/page/30/mode/1up|access-date=December 16, 2023|via=Internet Archive}} He missed 12 games as a rookie in 1979 due to back and ankle injuries. Playing on special teams in 1980,{{cite news|first=Steve|last=Bisheff|title=Chargers Not Afraid Of Changes|date=September 11, 1981|newspaper=The Daily Olympian|at=sec. Take 5, p. 13|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-olympian/139304521/|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=January 22, 2024}} his 74 combined blocks and tackles on special teams coverage were second on the team behind Hank Bauer. In 1981, new San Diego defensive coordinator Jack Pardee named four new starters on defense. Only the cornerbacks remained the same in the secondary, with Duncan and Bob Gregor replacing Pete Shaw and Mike Fuller as safeties.{{cite news|first=Ailene|last=Voisin|title=Big Plays, Turnovers Redeem Porous, Inconsistent Defense|date=September 23, 1981|newspaper=The San Diego Union|page=C-1|url=https://sandiegouniontribune.newsbank.com/doc/image/v2:136E6A0F0DF56B38@NGPA-CASD-13CF0D80DC98F62D@2444871-13CF0BA1ECAEA71B@32-13CF0BA1ECAEA71B@|url-access=subscription|via=NewsBank|access-date=December 4, 2023}} In week 2 against Detroit, Duncan stepped in front of the Lions' Freddie Scott and intercepted a pass from Gary Danielson at the Chargers' one-yard line with one second remaining in the game, preserving a 28–23 win for San Diego.{{cite news|first=John|last=Maffei|title=Duncan Turns Outfielder To Save Chargers|date=September 14, 1981|newspaper=Times-Advocate|page=D-1|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/times-advocate/136470912/|access-date=December 16, 2023|via=Newspapers.com}}{{cite news|first=Don|last=Norcross|title=Chargers barely escape a fierce Lion attack|date=September 14, 1981|newspaper=Times-Advocate|page=D-1|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/times-advocate/136905228/|access-date=December 16, 2023|via=Newspapers.com}}{{cite news|first=Stewart|last=Slavin|title=Strong safety Frank Duncan -- conceding he 'had a...|date=September 14, 1981|publisher=United Press International|url=https://www.upi.com/Archives/1981/09/14/Strong-safety-Frank-Duncan-conceding-he-had-a/4854369288000/|access-date=December 21, 2023}} In October, Duncan was placed on injured reserve after spraining his ankle against Baltimore.{{cite news|title=Chargers acquire strong safety|date=October 22, 1981|newspaper=Times-Advocate|page=D2|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/times-advocate/139304398/|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=January 22, 2024}} He was cut by the Chargers prior to the start of the 1982 season.{{cite news|title=San Diego–Denver opener 'of primary importance'|date=September 8, 1982|newspaper=The Daily Sentinel|page=28|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-daily-sentinel/136898768/|access-date=December 16, 2023|via=Newspapers.com}} He then played in the USFL for the Oakland Invaders and New Jersey Generals.{{cite news|first=Peter|last=Clark|title=New faces of Oakland football|date=March 3, 1983|newspaper=The Oakland Tribune|page=E-3|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/oakland-tribune/137009305/|access-date=December 21, 2023|via=Newspapers.com}}{{cite news|title=Generals treated to new tricks|date=March 15, 1985|newspaper=The Record|page=B-3|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-record/137125836/|access-date=December 21, 2023|via=Newspapers.com}}

In 1995, Duncan was convicted of felony battery and a misdemeanor battery charge in an attack of his girlfriend during an argument in his parents' home in Daly City.{{cite news|title=Ex-San Diego Charger Convicted in Beating|date=August 4, 1995|work=SFGate|url=https://www.sfgate.com/bayarea/article/bay-area-report-peninsula-ex-san-diego-3027212.php|access-date=December 16, 2023}} He was sentenced to eight years in prison.{{cite news|title=Ex-Football Pro Sentenced For Assault|date=October 3, 1995|work=SFGate|url=https://www.sfgate.com/news/article/bay-area-report-peninsula-ex-football-pro-3022865.php|access-date=December 18, 2023}}

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Category:1956 births

Category:Living people

Category:American football safeties

Category:Jefferson High School (Daly City, California) alumni

Category:New Jersey Generals players

Category:Oakland Invaders players

Category:Players of American football from San Francisco

Category:San Diego Chargers players

Category:San Francisco State Gators football players