Name Frank Cornish Positions Center Weight 130 kg | High school: Mount Carmel (IL) Height 1.93 m | |
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Date of birth: (1967-09-24)September 24, 1967 Date of death: August 22, 2008(2008-08-22) (aged 40) Education | ||
Frank Cornish: Football Center
Frank Edgar Cornish IV (September 24, 1967 – August 22, 2008) was an American football offensive lineman in the National Football League for the San Diego Chargers, Dallas Cowboys, Minnesota Vikings, Jacksonville Jaguars, and Philadelphia Eagles. He played college football at UCLA and was selected in the sixth round of the 1990 NFL Draft.
Contents
- Frank Cornish Football Center
- Early years
- San Diego Chargers
- Dallas Cowboys first stint
- Minnesota Vikings
- Dallas Cowboys second stint
- Jacksonville Jaguars
- Philadelphia Eagles
- Personal life
- References
Early years
Cornish attended Chicago's Mount Carmel High School where he played at a middle linebacker as a freshman. The next year, he was moved to the defensive line and eventually to the offensive line.
He accepted a scholarship to play for the University of California, Los Angeles. As a redshirt freshman he became a starter at guard for the last four games of the 1986 season, after Jim Alexander fractured his hand. The next year, he was named the starting center. He was a three-year starter (35 games) at center and was voted the team’s offensive MVP in 1989.
San Diego Chargers
Cornish was selected in the sixth round (143rd overall) of the 1990 NFL Draft. He started all 16 games at center as a rookie. The next year, he suffered a sprained ankle in minicamp, that allowed Courtney Hall to pass him on the depth chart and he was relegated to a backup role.
Dallas Cowboys (first stint)
On April 1, 1992, the Dallas Cowboys signed him as a Plan B free agent. In Super Bowl XXVII, Cornish and his father became the first father-son combination to have appeared in a Super Bowl (his father played in Super Bowl VI).
In 1993, starting center Mark Stepnoski suffered a knee injury in the 13th game of the season against the Minnesota Vikings that required surgery. Cornish replaced him in three games, until he was passed on the depth chart by John Gesek for the Playoffs and Super Bowl XXVIII.
Minnesota Vikings
On July 11, 1994, he was signed to a one-year contract by the Minnesota Vikings. He played sparingly and saw time as a long snapper.
Dallas Cowboys (second stint)
On November 21, 1994, he was signed by the Dallas Cowboys to provide depth on the offensive line.
Jacksonville Jaguars
On August 5, 1995, he signed with the Jacksonville Jaguars for their inaugural season. After being allowed to carry 56 players during the first three games of the season, the team was forced to reduce its roster to 53 on September 18 and released Cornish who only played on special teams.
Philadelphia Eagles
On November 21, 1995, he signed as a free agent with the Philadelphia Eagles. He wasn't re-signed after the season.
Personal life
Cornish died of heart disease in his sleep at his home on August 22, 2008. Cornish lived in Southlake, Texas (near Dallas) with his wife Robin, who is a registered nurse in the Dallas area, and their five children (three daughters and two sons). His father Frank Cornish, Jr. played in the National Football League for the Miami Dolphins and the Chicago Bears.