Herb Franta
{{Short description|American football player (1905–1950)}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=June 2024}}
{{good article}}
{{Infobox NFL biography
| name = Herb Franta
| image =
| image_size =
| alt =
| caption =
| number = 32, 55
| position = Lineman
| birth_date = {{birth date|1903|3|10}}
| birth_place = New Ulm, Minnesota, U.S.
| death_date = {{death date and age|1950|8|3|1903|3|10}}
| death_place = Arlington Heights, Illinois, U.S.
| height_ft = 6
| height_in = 0
| weight_lb = 220
| high_school = New Ulm (MN)
| college = St. Thomas (1923–1926)
| pastteams =
- Minneapolis Red Jackets ({{NFL Year|1929|1930}})
- Green Bay Packers ({{NFL Year|1930}})
| pastcoaching =
- DeLaSalle High School (1927–?)
Line coach
| highlights =
- NFL champion (1930)
| statlabel1 = Games played
| statvalue1 = 18
| statlabel2 = Games started
| statvalue2 = 14
| pfr = FranCh20
}}
Herbert Joseph Franta (March 10, 1905 – August 3, 1950) was an American football lineman who played two seasons in the National Football League (NFL) for the Minneapolis Red Jackets and Green Bay Packers. He played college football at St. Thomas and was an NFL champion with the Packers in 1930.
Early life and education
Franta was born on March 10, 1905, in New Ulm, Minnesota.{{Cite web|url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/F/FranCh20.htm|title=Herb Franta Stats|website=Pro-Football-Reference.com|access-date=2018-03-28|archive-date=2017-02-03|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170203052721/http://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/F/FranCh20.htm|url-status=live}} He attended New Ulm High School, being one of only two of the school's alumni (with Al Arndt) ever to make it to the NFL.{{Cite web|url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/schools/high_schools.cgi?id=93b89c57|website=Pro-Football-Reference.com|title=New Ulm (New Ulm, MN) Alumni Pro Stats|access-date=2023-08-19|archive-date=2023-08-19|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230819013919/https://www.pro-football-reference.com/schools/high_schools.cgi?id=93b89c57|url-status=live}} He began attending the University of St. Thomas in 1923, and saw immediate playing time.{{Cite web|url=https://www.profootballarchives.com/playerf/fran08200.html|website=Pro Football Archives|title=Chief Franta|access-date=2023-08-19|archive-date=2020-08-14|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200814042237/https://www.profootballarchives.com/playerf/fran08200.html|url-status=live}} The Minneapolis Star called him a "star" player{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-minneapolis-star/130257792/|newspaper=The Minneapolis Star|via=Newspapers.com|date=November 6, 1925|page=18|title=Carleton-Hamline To Meet Tomorrow|access-date=August 19, 2023|archive-date=August 21, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230821163619/https://wikipedialibrary.wmflabs.org/?next_url=/ezproxy/r/ezp.2aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cubmV3c3BhcGVycy5jb20vYXJ0aWNsZS90aGUtbWlubmVhcG9saXMtc3Rhci8xMzAyNTc3OTIv|url-status=live}} {{Open access}} and the Star Tribune reported that he was "one of the strongest tackles in the state."{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/star-tribune/130257661/|newspaper=Star Tribune|via=Newspapers.com|date=November 9, 1925|page=9|title=Injuries Will Hamper Cadet Team Wednesday|author=Murray, Frank E.|access-date=August 19, 2023|archive-date=August 21, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230821163623/https://wikipedialibrary.wmflabs.org/?next_url=/ezproxy/r/ezp.2aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cubmV3c3BhcGVycy5jb20vYXJ0aWNsZS9zdGFyLXRyaWJ1bmUvMTMwMjU3NjYxLw--|url-status=live}} {{Open access}} Of Native American descent, Franta was nicknamed "Chief."{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/suburbanite-economist/130259031/|newspaper=Suburbanite Economist|via=Newspapers.com|date=November 5, 1929|page=32|title=Ernie Nevers Leads Cardinals Against Minneapolis Sunday|access-date=August 19, 2023|archive-date=August 21, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230821163619/https://wikipedialibrary.wmflabs.org/?next_url=/ezproxy/r/ezp.2aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cubmV3c3BhcGVycy5jb20vYXJ0aWNsZS9zdWJ1cmJhbml0ZS1lY29ub21pc3QvMTMwMjU5MDMxLw--|url-status=live}} {{Open access}} A three-year starter, he was named to several all-state teams.{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/star-tribune/130258343/|newspaper=Star Tribune|via=Newspapers.com|date=September 8, 1927|page=18|title=Chief Franta Coaching Line at De La Salle|access-date=August 19, 2023|archive-date=August 21, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230821163619/https://wikipedialibrary.wmflabs.org/?next_url=/ezproxy/r/ezp.2aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cubmV3c3BhcGVycy5jb20vYXJ0aWNsZS9zdGFyLXRyaWJ1bmUvMTMwMjU4MzQzLw--|url-status=live}} {{Open access}}
Franta was plagued by injuries during his time at St. Thomas, breaking a bone in his hand in November 1925, suffering internal injuries and tearing a leg ligament in October 1926, and breaking his hand in early November 1926.{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/star-tribune/130258089/|newspaper=Star Tribune|via=Newspapers.com|date=October 4, 1926|page=10|title=Chief Franta and Mullen, Cadet Regulars, Injured|access-date=August 19, 2023|archive-date=August 21, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230821163626/https://wikipedialibrary.wmflabs.org/?next_url=/ezproxy/r/ezp.2aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cubmV3c3BhcGVycy5jb20vYXJ0aWNsZS9zdGFyLXRyaWJ1bmUvMTMwMjU4MDg5Lw--|url-status=live}} {{Open access}}{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/star-tribune/130258125/|newspaper=Star Tribune|via=Newspapers.com|date=November 9, 1926|page=18|title=Chief Franta, Cadet Star, Out With Broken Hand|access-date=August 19, 2023|archive-date=August 21, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230821163619/https://wikipedialibrary.wmflabs.org/?next_url=/ezproxy/r/ezp.2aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cubmV3c3BhcGVycy5jb20vYXJ0aWNsZS9zdGFyLXRyaWJ1bmUvMTMwMjU4MTI1Lw--|url-status=live}} {{Open access}} He still managed to return for the season finale of 1926 against Hamline, playing what would be his last collegiate game as he graduated in 1927.{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/star-tribune/130258185/|newspaper=Star Tribune|via=Newspapers.com|date=November 25, 1926|page=26|title=St. Thomas-Piper Game Closes College Season|access-date=August 19, 2023|archive-date=August 21, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230821164041/https://wikipedialibrary.wmflabs.org/?next_url=/ezproxy/r/ezp.2aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cubmV3c3BhcGVycy5jb20vYXJ0aWNsZS9zdGFyLXRyaWJ1bmUvMTMwMjU4MTg1Lw--|url-status=live}} {{Open access}}
Franta served as the line coach at DeLaSalle High School in 1927, after graduating from St. Thomas.
Professional career
Franta joined the Minneapolis Red Jackets of the National Football League (NFL) in 1929, being assigned the number 32; he was the only player for the team to ever wear the number.{{Cite web|url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/uniform.cgi?team=mnn&number=32|website=Pro-Football-Reference.com|title=All Players To Wear Number 32 For Minneapolis Red Jackets|access-date=2023-08-19|archive-date=2023-08-21|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230821164034/https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/uniform.cgi?team=mnn&number=32|url-status=live}}{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-times/130258841/|newspaper=The Times|via=Newspapers.com|date=September 25, 1929|page=18|title=Marines Tip Scale for 190 Pounds Average; Heaviest Eleven Ever to Come Here|access-date=August 19, 2023|archive-date=August 21, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230821164055/https://wikipedialibrary.wmflabs.org/?next_url=/ezproxy/r/ezp.2aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cubmV3c3BhcGVycy5jb20vYXJ0aWNsZS90aGUtdGltZXMvMTMwMjU4ODQxLw--|url-status=live}} {{Open access}} At the time, he weighed 220 pounds and stood at between 6 ft 0 in and 6 ft 1 in. Franta was a full-time starter for the Red Jackets, starting all 10 games as they compiled an overall record of 1–9 against NFL opponents.{{Cite web|url=https://www.profootballarchives.com/1929nflmin.html|website=Pro Football Archives|title=1929 Minneapolis Redjackets (NFL)|access-date=2023-08-19|archive-date=2023-08-19|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230819021451/https://www.profootballarchives.com/1929nflmin.html|url-status=live}} In the team's game against the Chicago Cardinals, Franta directly opposed Pro Football Hall of Famer Duke Slater, and The Chicago Defender wrote afterwards "The Slater-Franta duel provoked great interest from the football writers and fans. Experts claimed that more inside football was shown on their side of the line than had ever been displayed before."{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=0ZndRLlMik4C&dq=chief+franta&pg=PA120|title=Duke Slater: Pioneering Black NFL Player and Judge|author=Rozendaal, Neal|date=July 12, 2012|publisher=McFarland, Incorporated, Publishers|isbn=9780786492947|page=120|access-date=August 19, 2023|archive-date=August 21, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230821164126/https://www.google.com/books/edition/Duke_Slater/0ZndRLlMik4C?hl=en&gbpv=1&dq=chief+franta&pg=PA120&printsec=frontcover|url-status=live}}
Franta returned to the Red Jackets in 1930.{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-post-crescent/130260748/|newspaper=The Post-Crescent|via=Newspapers.com|date=November 5, 1930|page=12|title=Pape, Haycraft, Franta Become Green Bay Pros|access-date=August 19, 2023|archive-date=August 21, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230821164041/https://wikipedialibrary.wmflabs.org/?next_url=/ezproxy/r/ezp.2aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cubmV3c3BhcGVycy5jb20vYXJ0aWNsZS90aGUtcG9zdC1jcmVzY2VudC8xMzAyNjA3NDgv|url-status=live}} {{Open access}} The Post-Crescent compared him to Mike Michalske and stated that he was one of Minneapolis' best forwards, noting that against the Green Bay Packers, he "probably got as many tackles as all the other [Minneapolis] forwards combined." After having played six games, three as a starter, for the Red Jackets, he was purchased along with Ken Haycraft and Oran Pape by head coach Curly Lambeau of the Packers.{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/news-record/130260895/|newspaper=News-Record|via=Newspapers.com|date=November 4, 1930|page=5|title=Haycraft, Franta, Pape Join Packers|agency=United Press International|access-date=August 19, 2023|archive-date=August 21, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230821164111/https://wikipedialibrary.wmflabs.org/?next_url=/ezproxy/r/ezp.2aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cubmV3c3BhcGVycy5jb20vYXJ0aWNsZS9uZXdzLXJlY29yZC8xMzAyNjA4OTUv|url-status=live}} {{Open access}} Franta played two games, one as a starter, with Green Bay before being suspended near the end of the season, reportedly due to Lambeau wanting veteran players for their final games which decided the NFL championship.{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/green-bay-press-gazette-blood-ice-block/82398333/|newspaper=Green Bay Press-Gazette|via=Newspapers.com|date=December 2, 1930|page=13|title=Pape and Franta Suspended For Remainder of Season,; Packers Plan for Bear Tilt|author=Cal|author-link=George Whitney Calhoun|access-date=August 21, 2023|archive-date=August 21, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230821183836/https://www.newspapers.com/article/green-bay-press-gazette-blood-ice-block/82398333/|url-status=live}} {{Open access}} The Packers ultimately won the league title. Franta did not continue playing in the NFL after the season, thus finishing his career with 18 games played, 14 of which he started. Although he never again played in the NFL, Franta later appeared in several exhibitions with the Minnesota All-Stars and a team composed of former St. Thomas players, including one game with the former against the Chicago Bears.{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/star-tribune/130261266/|newspaper=Star Tribune|via=Newspapers.com|date=December 4, 1932|page=28|title=Carlsons And Stars Battle|access-date=August 19, 2023|archive-date=August 21, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230821164629/https://wikipedialibrary.wmflabs.org/?next_url=/ezproxy/r/ezp.2aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cubmV3c3BhcGVycy5jb20vYXJ0aWNsZS9zdGFyLXRyaWJ1bmUvMTMwMjYxMjY2Lw--|url-status=live}} {{Open access}}{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-minneapolis-star/130261308/|newspaper=The Minneapolis Star|via=Newspapers.com|date=November 1, 1933|page=13|title=Joe Boland Names All-Star Tommy Lineup For Nov. 11|access-date=August 19, 2023|archive-date=August 21, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230821164551/https://wikipedialibrary.wmflabs.org/?next_url=/ezproxy/r/ezp.2aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cubmV3c3BhcGVycy5jb20vYXJ0aWNsZS90aGUtbWlubmVhcG9saXMtc3Rhci8xMzAyNjEzMDgv|url-status=live}} {{Open access}}{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-minneapolis-star/130261377/|newspaper=The Minneapolis Star|via=Newspapers.com|date=November 7, 1934|page=12|title=10,000 Expected for Bear-Gopher All Stars Grid Game Tonight|access-date=August 19, 2023|archive-date=August 21, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230821164654/https://wikipedialibrary.wmflabs.org/?next_url=/ezproxy/r/ezp.2aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cubmV3c3BhcGVycy5jb20vYXJ0aWNsZS90aGUtbWlubmVhcG9saXMtc3Rhci8xMzAyNjEzNzcv|url-status=live}} {{Open access}}
Later life and death
Franta was married to Katherine K. Franta, with whom he had four children.Ancestry.com. [https://www.ancestry.com/discoveryui-content/view/16233862:2238 U.S., World War II Draft Cards Young Men, 1940-1947] {{subscription required}}. Lehi, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2011. In 1942, he was working for the Minnesota State Highway Department, although he also enlisted in the United States military the same year to serve during World War II. He died on August 3, 1950, at the age of 47, after a car crash.{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/arlington-heights-herald/130261481/|newspaper=Arlington Heights Herald|via=Newspapers.com|date=August 4, 1950|page=1|title=Driver falls asleep; neck is broken|access-date=August 19, 2023|archive-date=August 21, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230821164546/https://wikipedialibrary.wmflabs.org/?next_url=/ezproxy/r/ezp.2aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cubmV3c3BhcGVycy5jb20vYXJ0aWNsZS9hcmxpbmd0b24taGVpZ2h0cy1oZXJhbGQvMTMwMjYxNDgxLw--|url-status=live}} {{Open access}} Franta had been driving a trailer with his two sons to move the family from St. Paul, Minnesota to Des Plaines, Illinois, and fell asleep at the wheel before crashing into a tree. He broke his neck in the crash and died the next day.
References
{{reflist}}
{{1930 Green Bay Packers}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Franta, Herb}}
Category:Players of American football from Minnesota
Category:Minneapolis Red Jackets players
Category:Green Bay Packers players
Category:American football offensive guards
Category:University of St. Thomas (Minnesota) alumni
Category:St. Thomas (Minnesota) Tommies football players