Frank Wycheck
{{Short description|American football player (1971–2023)}}
{{Use American English|date=February 2023}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=December 2023}}
{{Infobox NFL biography
| name = Frank Wycheck
| image = Frank Wycheck (cropped).jpg
| caption = Wycheck with the Houston Oilers in 1995
| number = 36, 22, 89
| position = Tight end
| birth_date = {{birth date|1971|10|14|mf=y}}
| birth_place = {{nowrap|Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.}}
| death_date = {{death date and age|2023|12|9|1971|10|14|mf=y}}
| death_place = Chattanooga, Tennessee, U.S.
| height_ft = 6
| height_in = 3
| weight_lb = 253
| high_school = Archbishop Ryan {{nowrap|(Philadelphia, Pennsylvania)}}
| college = Maryland (1989–1992)
| draftyear = 1993
| draftround = 6
| draftpick = 160
| pastteams =
- Washington Redskins ({{NFL Year|1993|1994}})
- Houston / Tennessee Oilers / Titans ({{NFL Year|1995|2003}})
| highlights =
- Second-team All-Pro (2000)
- 3× Pro Bowl (1998–2000)
- Titans/Oilers Ring of Honor
- Second-team All-ACC (1991)
| statlabel1 = Receptions
| statvalue1 = 505
| statlabel2 = Receiving yards
| statvalue2 = 5,126
| statlabel3 = Receiving touchdowns
| statvalue3 = 28
| pfr = W/WychFr00
}}
Frank John Wycheck (October 14, 1971 – December 9, 2023) was an American professional football player who was a tight end in the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Maryland Terrapins. As a professional, Wycheck played 11 seasons for the Washington Redskins and the Tennessee Titans, where he threw the lateral pass in the Music City Miracle. He had also spent time as a professional wrestler. Wycheck was the color commentator on the Tennessee Titans Radio Network from 2005 to 2016, and from 2004 to 2017, Wycheck co-hosted a morning sports radio show on Nashville radio station WGFX.
Early life and college
Born on October 14, 1971, in Philadelphia to Theodore (a Philadelphia police officer) and Marie Wycheck, Wycheck attended Archbishop Ryan High School in Northeast Philadelphia and the University of Maryland, College Park.{{Cite web |last=Walker |first=Teresa M. |date=December 10, 2023 |title=Frank Wycheck, former Archbishop Ryan star of 'Music City Miracle' fame, dies at 52 |url=https://www.inquirer.com/eagles/frank-whycheck-dies-titans-archbishop-ryan-20231210.html |access-date=December 15, 2023 |website=The Philadelphia Inquirer |language=en}}{{Cite web |last=Walker |first=Teresa M. |date=December 10, 2023 |title=Frank Wycheck, former Maryland and NFL tight end, dies at 52 after apparent fall at home |url=https://www.baltimoresun.com/2023/12/10/frank-wycheck-former-maryland-nfl-tight-end-dies/ |access-date=December 15, 2023 |website=Baltimore Sun |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |last1=Breen |first1=Matt |last2=Gambacorta |first2=David |date=2024-06-11 |title=Philly's Frank Wycheck had a football career full of miracles — until concussions derailed his life |url=https://www.inquirer.com/eagles/nfl-titans-frank-wycheck-death-concussions-cte-20240611.html?query=%22frank%20wycheck%22%20miracles |access-date=2025-01-11 |website=www.inquirer.com |language=en}} At Archbishop Ryan, Wycheck was twice an All-Catholic running back and graduated as the school’s all-time leading rusher.
As a freshman at Maryland, Wycheck led the Atlantic Coast Conference in receptions with 58 for 509 yards, including a school record 14 catches in a game against Virginia Tech.{{Cite web |last=Preston |first=Mike |date=November 18, 1992 |title=Wycheck leaves Terps for NFL Phased-out H-back to forgo senior year |url=https://www.baltimoresun.com/1992/11/18/wycheck-leaves-terps-for-nfl-phased-out-h-back-to-forgo-senior-year/ |access-date=December 15, 2023 |website=Baltimore Sun |language=en-US}} As a sophomore, Wycheck led the team with 45 receptions, made 2nd team All-ACC, and set the conference record for most receptions ever by a player in their first two seasons. In Wycheck's third season, Maryland hired coach Mark Duffner, who switched the team to a run and shoot offence, which tended to use four receivers and no tight end.{{Cite web |last=Preston |first=Mike |date=March 27, 1992 |title=Six in hunt to lead Terps' run and shoot Duffner must find leader for offense |url=https://www.baltimoresun.com/1992/03/27/six-in-hunt-to-lead-terps-run-and-shoot-duffner-must-find-leader-for-offense/ |access-date=December 15, 2023 |website=Baltimore Sun |language=en-US}} As a result, Wycheck's playing time and receptions declined significantly.{{Cite web |last=Stellino |first=Vito |date=April 27, 1993 |title=Wycheck gets his NFL wish Redskins give former Terp shot to catch on at tight end |url=https://www.baltimoresun.com/1993/04/27/wycheck-gets-his-nfl-wish-redskins-give-former-terp-shot-to-catch-on-at-tight-end/ |access-date=December 15, 2023 |website=Baltimore Sun |language=en-US}}
Additionally, prior to the 1992 season, he contracted mononucleosis during spring practice and had a pulled groin that caused him to miss several preseason practice days.{{Cite news |last=Berkowitz |first=Steve |date=November 24, 1992 |title=Wycheck considering staying with Terrapins |newspaper=The Washington Post |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/sports/1992/11/24/wycheck-considering-staying-with-terrapins/f960aa52-c461-4736-8728-a5c0c7bdd50f/ |access-date=December 15, 2023}} Starting out as a receiver, injuries to other Maryland running backs forced Duffner to play Wycheck at running back, where he started the final three games of the season, rushing for a total of 369 yards,{{Cite web |title=1992 Maryland Terrapins Stats |url=https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/schools/maryland/1992.html |access-date=December 15, 2023 |website=Sports-Reference.com |language=en}} including a 162-yard performance in Maryland's 53–23 win over the Clemson Tigers in the season finale.{{Cite news |last=Berkowitz |first=Steve |date=November 15, 1992 |title=High-octane Terps finish season with Tigers in their tank, 53–23 |newspaper=The Washington Post |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/sports/1992/11/15/high-octane-terps-finish-season-with-tigers-in-their-tank-53-23/300b08ee-0d7e-41b0-abb0-7ef9e3344be7/ |access-date=December 15, 2023}} "I feel like I really never got into the flow of the offense," Wycheck said after the season. "The last three games were great, but I'm a tight end type more than a running back." He decided to forgo his senior year and enter the 1993 NFL draft, finishing his three seasons at Maryland with 134 receptions for 1,183 yards, 80 carries for 391 yards, and eight touchdowns.{{Cite web|url=https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/players/frank-wycheck-1.html|title = Frank Wycheck College Stats}}
Professional career
{{NFL predraft
| height ft = 6
| height in = 2 5/8
| weight = 232
| dash = 4.94
| ten split = 1.70
| twenty split = 2.87
| shuttle = 4.52
| vertical = 32.5
| broad ft = 9
| broad in = 3
| bench = 18
| arm span = 30 1/2
| hand span = 10 1/8
}}
=Washington Redskins=
Wycheck was drafted in sixth round (160th overall) of the 1993 NFL draft by the Washington Redskins.{{Cite web |title=1993 NFL Draft Listing |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/years/1993/draft.htm |access-date=March 31, 2023 |website=Pro Football Reference |language=en}} With the arrival of new coach Norv Turner in 1994, the Redskins made a failed attempt to switch Wycheck to fullback.{{Cite web |last=Pritchard |first=Jay |date=December 10, 2023 |title=Former Titans' Three-time Pro Bowler Frank Wycheck tragically passes away at age 52 |url=https://clutchpoints.com/titans-news-three-time-pro-bowler-frank-wycheck-tragically-passes-away-at-age-52 |access-date=December 16, 2023 |website=ClutchPoints |language=en}}{{Cite web |date=April 11, 1994 |title=Redskins briefs: Wycheck looks good at fullback |url=https://www.dailypress.com/1994/04/11/redskins-briefs-wycheck-looks-good-at-fullback/ |access-date=December 16, 2023 |website=Daily Press |language=en-US}} Later that same season, Wycheck was suspended for the final four games of the season by the league after testing positive for anabolic steroids.{{Cite news |date=November 30, 1994 |title=PRO FOOTBALL; Redskin Player Suspended for Steroid Use |language=en-US |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1994/11/30/sports/pro-football-redskin-player-suspended-for-steroid-use.html |access-date=December 16, 2023 |issn=0362-4331}}{{Cite news |last=Aldridge |first=David |date=December 1, 1994 |title=Redskins' Wycheck: Steroids a 'mistake' |newspaper=The Washington Post |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/sports/1994/12/01/redskins-wycheck-steroids-a-mistake/50444501-360e-4da2-a17f-7a6b1b028fbd/ |access-date=December 15, 2023}} Wycheck was released by the Redskins in 1995.{{Cite news |last1=Sell |first1=Dave |last2=Aldridge |first2=David |date=August 17, 1995 |title=Ex-Terrapin Wycheck is cut by the Redskins |newspaper=The Washington Post |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/sports/1995/08/17/ex-terrapin-wycheck-is-cut-by-the-redskins/9f64a535-3315-44c0-b0a7-7a87adc337ea/ |access-date=December 15, 2023}}
=Tennessee Oilers/Titans=
In 1995, Wycheck was signed by the Houston Oilers, who later became the Tennessee Titans.{{Cite news |last=Boren |first=Cindy |date=December 10, 2023 |title=Frank Wycheck, hero of Titans' Music City Miracle, dies at 52 |newspaper=The Washington Post |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/2023/12/10/frank-wycheck-dies-52/ |access-date=December 15, 2023}}
Wycheck made the Pro Bowl in 1998, 1999, and 2000. Wycheck is perhaps most famous for his participation in the Music City Miracle, at the end of the 2000 Wild Card game against the Buffalo Bills. The Titans were down 16–15 with 16 seconds remaining. Wycheck took a hand-off from Lorenzo Neal and then threw the ball across the field to Kevin Dyson, who then turned the ball upfield 75 yards for the game-winning touchdown.{{Cite web |last1=Dotson |first1=Kevin |last2=Almasy |first2=Steve |date=December 10, 2023 |title=Frank Wycheck, part of the NFL's 'Music City Miracle,' dead at 52 |url=https://www.cnn.com/2023/12/10/sport/nfl-frank-wycheck-music-city-miracle-death-spt/index.html |access-date=December 16, 2023 |website=CNN |language=en}} The Titans would go on to make the Super Bowl that year, but would lose by a touchdown. Wycheck continued to play for the Titans before retiring after the 2003 season, having two concussions in a month that year.{{Cite web |last=Walker IV |first=George |date=December 10, 2023 |title=Former Tennessee Titans star Frank Wycheck through the years |url=https://www.tennessean.com/picture-gallery/sports/nfl/titans/2023/12/10/tennessee-titans-frank-wycheck-photos-nfl-tight-end/71871653007/ |access-date=December 16, 2023 |website=The Tennessean |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |last=Walker |first=Teresa M. |date=December 10, 2023 |title=Frank Wycheck, who threw the lateral in 'Music City Miracle,' dies at age of 52 |url=https://apnews.com/article/frank-wycheck-obit-music-city-miracle-9f04eeeade2e7a0c4bf07ccd7730531b |access-date=December 16, 2023 |website=AP News |language=en}}
In his 11-year career, Wycheck had 505 receptions for 5,126 yards and 28 touchdowns, and became one of 6 tight ends to surpass 500 receptions in NFL history.{{Cite web |last=Yang |first=Steven |title=The Most Surprising Draft Steal in the History of Every NFL Franchise |url=https://bleacherreport.com/articles/1063519-the-most-surprising-late-round-draft-steal-in-the-history-of-every-nfl-franchise |access-date=December 16, 2023 |website=Bleacher Report |language=en}} Wycheck led the Titans in receiving for three consecutive seasons (1999–2001). In the 1999 and 2002 postseasons, he had 14 receptions,{{Cite web |title=Frank Wycheck Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/W/WychFr00.htm |access-date=2025-01-11 |website=Pro Football Reference |language=en}} twice tying the franchise record previously held jointly by Tim Wilson (1979){{Cite web |title=Tim Wilson Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/W/WilsTi00.htm |access-date=2025-01-11 |website=Pro Football Reference |language=en}} and Jackie Harris (also in the 1999 playoffs).{{Cite web |title=Jackie Harris Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/H/HarrJa00.htm |access-date=2025-01-11 |website=Pro Football Reference |language=en}} {{Citation needed|date=December 2023}} Wycheck also went 5-for-6 passing the ball in his career (all on trick plays), resulting in 148 yards, two touchdowns, and a perfect 158.3 passer rating.
NFL career statistics
=Regular season=
| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center;"
! rowspan="2" |Year ! rowspan="2" |Team ! colspan="2" |Games ! colspan="5" |Receiving ! colspan="5" |Rushing | ||||||||||||
| GP | GS | Rec | Yds | Avg | Lng | TD | Att | Yds | Avg | Lng | TD | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1993 | WAS
| 9 || 7 || 16 || 113 || 7.1 || 20 || 0 || — || — || — || — || 0 | |||||||||||
| 1994 | WAS
| 9 || 1 || 7 || 55 || 7.9 || 20 || 1 || — || — || — || — || 0 | |||||||||||
| 1995 | HOU
| 16 || 10 || 40 || 471 || 11.8 || 36 || 1 || 1 || 1 || 1.0 || 1 || 1 | |||||||||||
| 1996 | HOU
| 16 || 16 || 53 || 511 || 9.6 || 29 || 6 || 2 || 3 || 1.5 || 3 || 0 | |||||||||||
| 1997 | TEN
| 16 || 16 || 63 || 748 || 11.9 || 42 || 4 || — || — || — || — || 0 | |||||||||||
| 1998 | TEN
| 16 || 16 || 70 || 768 || 11.0 || 38 || 2 || — || — || — || — || 0 | |||||||||||
| 1999 | TEN
| 16 || 16 || 69 || 641 || 9.3 || 33 || 2 || — || — || — || — || 0 | |||||||||||
| 2000 | TEN
| 16 || 16 || 70 || 636 || 9.1 || 37 || 4 || — || — || — || — || 0 | |||||||||||
| 2001 | TEN
| 16 || 16 || 60 || 672 || 11.2 || 36 || 4 || 1 || 1 || 1.0 || 1 || 0 | |||||||||||
| 2002 | TEN
| 15 || 15 || 40 || 346 || 8.7 || 22 || 2 || — || — || — || — || 0 | |||||||||||
| 2003 | TEN
| 10 || 6 || 17 || 165 || 9.7 || 13 || 2 || — || — || — || — || 0 | |||||||||||
| colspan="2" |Career | 155 | 135 | 505 | 5,126 | 10.2 | 42 | 28 | 4 | 5 | 1.3 | 3 | 1 |
=Postseason=
| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center;"
! rowspan="2" |Year ! rowspan="2" |Team ! colspan="2" |Games ! colspan="5" |Receiving | |||||||
| GP | GS | Rec | Yds | Avg | Lng | TD | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1999 | TEN
| 4 || 4 || 14 || 92 || 6.6 || 14 || 0 | ||||||
| 2000 | TEN
| 1 || 1 || 5 || 31 || 6.2 || 13 || 0 | ||||||
| 2002 | TEN
| 2 || 2 || 14 || 164 || 11.7 || 39 || 1 | ||||||
| 2003 | TEN
| 2 || 1 || 4 || 26 || 6.5 || 14 || 0 | ||||||
| colspan="2" |Career | 9 | 8 | 37 | 313 | 8.5 | 39 | 1 |
Professional wrestling appearances
In 2007, Total Nonstop Action Wrestling reported an altercation between Wycheck and James Storm.{{Cite web |last=Aerajuddin |first=Shaikh |date=December 10, 2023 |title="RIP", "Tragic Way to Pass": Fans Pour in Their Wishes as Tennessee Titans Legend and Former TNA Star Passes Away |url=https://www.essentiallysports.com/wwe-tna-nfl-news-rip-tragic-way-to-pass-fans-pour-in-their-wishes-as-tennessee-titans-legend-and-former-tna-star-passes-away |access-date=December 16, 2023 |website=EssentiallySports}} Wycheck, with the help of Jeff Jarrett, delivered a guitar shot to James Storm after the "Tennessee Cowboy" spat beer in the former Tennessee Titan's face. A match was then scheduled with Wycheck against James Storm at Slammiversary on June 17, 2007.{{Cite web |last=Clark |first=Ryan |date=June 14, 2007 |title=TNA News: iMPACT!, Slammiversary Changes, & Lots More |url=https://www.wrestlinginc.com/news/2007/06/tna-news-impact-498526/ |access-date=December 16, 2023 |website=Wrestling Inc. |language=en-US}} At Slammiversary, he teamed with Jerry Lynn to defeat Storm and Ron Killings in a tag match.{{Cite web |last=Thomas |first=Jeremy |date=December 10, 2023 |title=NFL Star & One-Time TNA Competitor Frank Wycheck Passes Away |url=http://411mania.com/wrestling/nfl-tna-frank-wycheck-passes-away/ |access-date=December 16, 2023 |website=411Mania |language=en-US}} Wycheck won the match with a Cradle piledriver, Lynn's finishing move.
Broadcasting career
In 2001, Wycheck "hosted" his own Titan player show with George Plaster and Willy Daunic on WGFX 104.5 FM until he retired from the game. Wycheck became a co-host of the morning drive time show The Wake Up Zone with Kevin Ingram and Mark Howard on the Nashville radio station WGFX "104.5 The Zone".{{cite web|title=Frank Wycheck|url=http://www.1045thezone.com/Article.asp?id=585055&spid=23524|publisher=WGFX|access-date=August 12, 2012|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111012220628/http://1045thezone.com/Article.asp?id=585055&spid=23524|archive-date=October 12, 2011}} Beginning with the 2005 season, Wycheck assumed color commentary duties on the Titans Radio Network.{{cite web|title=Wycheck to join Titans Radio broadcast team|url=http://titansonline.com/news/titans_news_detail.php?PRKey=2593|publisher=Tennessee Titans|date=January 21, 2005|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050922182358/http://www.titansonline.com/news/titans_news_detail.php?PRKey=2593|archive-date=September 22, 2005}}
Before the 2017 Titans preseason, it was announced that Wycheck would step down from being color commentator due to lingering head issues sustained during his football career.{{cite web|title=Frank Wycheck replaced by Dave McGinnis for Titans radio broadcasts this season|url=https://www.tennessean.com/story/sports/nfl/titans/2017/08/02/frank-wycheck-replaced-dan-mcginnis-titans-radio-broadcasts-season/532892001/|author=Wolf, Jason|website=Tennessean.com|date=August 2, 2017|access-date=June 25, 2019}} His absence was supposed to be temporary, but replacement Dave McGinnis returned for the 2018 season and subsequent seasons.{{cite web|title=McGinnis to return as Titans radio analyst|url=https://www.nashvillepost.com/sports/tennessee-titans/blog/21002472/mcginnis-to-return-as-titans-radio-analyst|website=NashvillePost.com|author=Boclair, David|date=April 26, 2018|access-date=June 25, 2019}} In a corresponding move, Wycheck also left The Wake Up Zone morning show in 2017.{{cite web|title=Former Titans star Frank Wycheck to leave Nashville morning radio show, remain with 104.5 The Zone|url=https://www.tennessean.com/amp/553437001|author=Schmitt, Brad|website=Tennessean.com|date=August 9, 2017|access-date=June 25, 2019}}
Personal life and death
In 1995, Wycheck married Cherryn Krol.{{cite news|last=Silary|first=Ted|title=NFL Suspends Wycheck After Steroid Test|url=http://articles.philly.com/1994-11-30/sports/25868967_1_frank-wycheck-steroids-nfl-policy|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140513012241/http://articles.philly.com/1994-11-30/sports/25868967_1_frank-wycheck-steroids-nfl-policy|url-status=dead|archive-date=May 13, 2014|access-date=August 12, 2012|newspaper=Philadelphia Daily News|date=November 30, 1994}}{{cite web|title=Frank Wycheck|url=http://www.titansonline.com/team/players/bio.php?PRKey=88|publisher=Tennessee Titans|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20040204042103/http://www.titansonline.com/team/players/bio.php?PRKey=88|archive-date=February 4, 2004}} They had two children: Deanna (born 1991) and Madison (born 1997), before divorcing in 2009.
Wycheck was a supporter of the Tennessee Special Olympics, hosting the Wycheck Harley Ride charity event.
In a 2017 television interview on Fox-WZTV in Nashville, Wycheck stated that he was certain that he had CTE and that he feared the onset of 'scary' symptoms. Wycheck stated that he planned to donate his brain to the Concussion Legacy Foundation for study after he died.{{cite web|title= Frank Wycheck believes he has CTE, fears the onset of 'scary' symptoms |url= https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/18631017/frank-wycheck-believes-cte-fears-onset-scary-symptoms|author=Kuharsky, Paul|website=espn.com|publisher=ESPN|date=February 6, 2017|access-date=December 10, 2023}} Wycheck estimated that he had as many as 25 concussions during his playing career.
On December 9, 2023, Wycheck died at age 52 after falling and hitting his head at his home in Chattanooga.{{cite web|title=Former Titans Tight End Frank Wycheck Dies at Age 52|url=https://www.tennesseetitans.com/news/former-titans-tight-end-frank-wycheck-dies-at-age-52|author=Wyatt, Jim|website=TennesseeTitans.com|publisher=Tennessee Titans|date=December 10, 2023|access-date=December 10, 2023}}{{cite web|title=Former Titans TE Frank Wycheck, Hero of Music City Miracle Play, Dead at 52|url=https://www.si.com/nfl/2023/12/10/former-titans-te-frank-wycheck-hero-of-music-city-miracle-play-dead-at-52|author=Salvador, Joseph|website=SI.com|publisher=Sports Illustrated|date=December 10, 2023|access-date=December 10, 2023}} A post-mortem study found that his brain suffered from chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE).{{cite news |title=Ex-Titans star Wycheck had CTE at time of death |url=https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/43345734/frank-wycheck-late-titans-star-tight-end-diagnosed-cte |work=ESPN.com |date=9 January 2025 |language=en}}
References
{{Reflist}}
External links
- {{Footballstats |nfl=frank-wycheck |ESPN= |cfl= |cbs= |si= |yahoo= |pfr=WychFr00 }}
{{Redskins1993DraftPicks}}
{{Tennessee Titans Ring of Honor}}
{{authority control}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Wycheck, Frank}}
Category:Accidental deaths from falls
Category:Accidental deaths in Tennessee
Category:American Conference Pro Bowl players
Category:American football tight ends
Category:American radio sports announcers
Category:Houston Oilers players
Category:Maryland Terrapins football players
Category:Players of American football from Philadelphia
Category:Tennessee Oilers players
Category:Tennessee Titans announcers