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Frank Wycheck

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Frank Wycheck
refer to caption
Wycheck with the Houston Oilers in 1995
No. 36, 22, 89
Position:Tight end
Personal information
Born:(1971-10-14)October 14, 1971
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.
Died:December 9, 2023(2023-12-09) (aged 52)
Chattanooga, Tennessee, U.S.
Height:6 ft 3 in (1.91 m)
Weight:253 lb (115 kg)
Career information
High school:Archbishop Ryan (Philadelphia, Pennsylvania)
College:Maryland
NFL draft:1993 / round: 6 / pick: 160
Career history
Career highlights and awards
Career NFL statistics
Receptions:505
Receiving yards:5,126
Receiving touchdowns:28
Stats at Pro Football Reference

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

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Born in Philadelphia, Wycheck attended Archbishop Ryan High School in Northeast Philadelphia and the University of Maryland, College Park.[1][2] As a freshman, 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.[3] 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.[3] 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.[4] As a result, Wycheck's playing time and receptions declined significantly.[5] 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.[6] Starting out as a receiver, injuries to other Maryland running backs forced Duffner to play Wycheck at running back,[6] where he started the final three games of the season, rushing for a total of 369 yards,[7] including a 162-yard performance in Maryland's 53–23 win over the Clemson Tigers in the season finale.[8]

"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."[3] 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.[9]

Professional career

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Pre-draft measurables
Height Weight Arm length Hand span 40-yard dash 10-yard split 20-yard split 20-yard shuttle Vertical jump Broad jump Bench press
6 ft 2+5⁄8 in
(1.90 m) 		232 lb
(105 kg) 		30+1⁄2 in
(0.77 m) 		10+1⁄8 in
(0.26 m)		 4.94 s 1.70 s 2.87 s 4.52 s 32.5 in
(0.83 m)		 9 ft 3 in
(2.82 m)		 18 reps

Washington Redskins

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Wycheck was drafted in sixth round (160th overall) of the 1993 NFL draft by the Washington Redskins.[10] With the arrival of new coach Norv Turner in 1994, the Redskins made a failed attempt to switch Wycheck to fullback.[11][12] Later that same season, Wycheck was suspended for the final four games of the season by the league after testing positive for anabolic steroids.[13][14] Wycheck was released by the Redskins in 1995.[15]

Tennessee Oilers/Titans

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In 1995, Wycheck was signed by the Houston Oilers, who later became the Tennessee Titans.[16]

Wycheck made the Pro Bowl in 1998, 1999, and 2000.[11] 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.[17] 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.[18][19]

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.[20] Wycheck led the Titans in receiving for three consecutive seasons (1999–2001).[20] In the 1999 and 2002 postseasons, he had 14 receptions, twice tying the franchise record previously held jointly by Tim Wilson and Jackie Harris.[citation needed] 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.[20]

NFL career statistics

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Regular season

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Year Team Games Receiving 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
Career 155 135 505 5,126 10.2 42 28 4 5 1.3 3 1

Postseason

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Year Team Games 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
Career 9 8 37 313 8.5 39 1

Professional wrestling appearances

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In 2007, Total Nonstop Action Wrestling reported an altercation between Wycheck and James Storm.[21] 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.[21] A match was then scheduled with Wycheck against James Storm at Slammiversary on June 17, 2007.[22] At Slammiversary, he teamed with Jerry Lynn to defeat Storm and Ron Killings in a tag match.[23] Wycheck won the match with a Cradle piledriver, Lynn's finishing move.[23]

Broadcasting career

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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".[24] Beginning with the 2005 season, Wycheck assumed color commentary duties on the Titans Radio Network.[25]

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.[26] His absence was supposed to be temporary, but replacement Dave McGinnis returned for the 2018 season and subsequent seasons.[27] In a corresponding move, Wycheck also left The Wake Up Zone morning show in 2017.[28]

Personal life and death

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In 1995, Wycheck married Cherryn Krol.[29][30] They had two children: Deanna (born 1991) and Madison (born 1997), before divorcing.[30]

Wycheck was a supporter of the Tennessee Special Olympics, hosting the Wycheck Harley Ride charity event.[30]

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.[31]

On December 9, 2023, Wycheck died at age 52 after falling and hitting his head at his home in Chattanooga.[32][33]

References

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  1. ^ Walker, Teresa M. (December 10, 2023). "Frank Wycheck, former Archbishop Ryan star of 'Music City Miracle' fame, dies at 52". The Philadelphia Inquirer. Retrieved December 15, 2023.
  2. ^ Walker, Teresa M. (December 10, 2023). "Frank Wycheck, former Maryland and NFL tight end, dies at 52 after apparent fall at home". Baltimore Sun. Retrieved December 15, 2023.
  3. ^ a b c Preston, Mike (November 18, 1992). "Wycheck leaves Terps for NFL Phased-out H-back to forgo senior year". Baltimore Sun. Retrieved December 15, 2023.
  4. ^ Preston, Mike (March 27, 1992). "Six in hunt to lead Terps' run and shoot Duffner must find leader for offense". Baltimore Sun. Retrieved December 15, 2023.
  5. ^ Stellino, Vito (April 27, 1993). "Wycheck gets his NFL wish Redskins give former Terp shot to catch on at tight end". Baltimore Sun. Retrieved December 15, 2023.
  6. ^ a b Berkowitz, Steve (November 24, 1992). "Wycheck considering staying with Terrapins". The Washington Post. Retrieved December 15, 2023.
  7. ^ "1992 Maryland Terrapins Stats". Sports-Reference.com. Retrieved December 15, 2023.
  8. ^ Berkowitz, Steve (November 15, 1992). "High-octane Terps finish season with Tigers in their tank, 53–23". The Washington Post. Retrieved December 15, 2023.
  9. ^ "Frank Wycheck College Stats".
  10. ^ "1993 NFL Draft Listing". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved March 31, 2023.
  11. ^ a b Pritchard, Jay (December 10, 2023). "Former Titans' Three-time Pro Bowler Frank Wycheck tragically passes away at age 52". ClutchPoints. Retrieved December 16, 2023.
  12. ^ "Redskins briefs: Wycheck looks good at fullback". Daily Press. April 11, 1994. Retrieved December 16, 2023.
  13. ^ "PRO FOOTBALL; Redskin Player Suspended for Steroid Use". The New York Times. November 30, 1994. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved December 16, 2023.
  14. ^ Aldridge, David (December 1, 1994). "Redskins' Wycheck: Steroids a 'mistake'". The Washington Post. Retrieved December 15, 2023.
  15. ^ Sell, Dave; Aldridge, David (August 17, 1995). "Ex-Terrapin Wycheck is cut by the Redskins". The Washington Post. Retrieved December 15, 2023.
  16. ^ Boren, Cindy (December 10, 2023). "Frank Wycheck, hero of Titans' Music City Miracle, dies at 52". The Washington Post. Retrieved December 15, 2023.
  17. ^ Dotson, Kevin; Almasy, Steve (December 10, 2023). "Frank Wycheck, part of the NFL's 'Music City Miracle,' dead at 52". CNN. Retrieved December 16, 2023.
  18. ^ Walker IV, George (December 10, 2023). "Former Tennessee Titans star Frank Wycheck through the years". The Tennessean. Retrieved December 16, 2023.
  19. ^ Walker, Teresa M. (December 10, 2023). "Frank Wycheck, who threw the lateral in 'Music City Miracle,' dies at age of 52". AP News. Retrieved December 16, 2023.
  20. ^ a b c Yang, Steven. "The Most Surprising Draft Steal in the History of Every NFL Franchise". Bleacher Report. Retrieved December 16, 2023.
  21. ^ a b Aerajuddin, Shaikh (December 10, 2023). ""RIP", "Tragic Way to Pass": Fans Pour in Their Wishes as Tennessee Titans Legend and Former TNA Star Passes Away". EssentiallySports. Retrieved December 16, 2023.
  22. ^ Clark, Ryan (June 14, 2007). "TNA News: iMPACT!, Slammiversary Changes, & Lots More". Wrestling Inc. Retrieved December 16, 2023.
  23. ^ a b Thomas, Jeremy (December 10, 2023). "NFL Star & One-Time TNA Competitor Frank Wycheck Passes Away". 411Mania. Retrieved December 16, 2023.
  24. ^ "Frank Wycheck". WGFX. Archived from the original on October 12, 2011. Retrieved August 12, 2012.
  25. ^ "Wycheck to join Titans Radio broadcast team". Tennessee Titans. January 21, 2005. Archived from the original on September 22, 2005.
  26. ^ Wolf, Jason (August 2, 2017). "Frank Wycheck replaced by Dave McGinnis for Titans radio broadcasts this season". Tennessean.com. Retrieved June 25, 2019.
  27. ^ Boclair, David (April 26, 2018). "McGinnis to return as Titans radio analyst". NashvillePost.com. Retrieved June 25, 2019.
  28. ^ Schmitt, Brad (August 9, 2017). "Former Titans star Frank Wycheck to leave Nashville morning radio show, remain with 104.5 The Zone". Tennessean.com. Retrieved June 25, 2019.
  29. ^ Silary, Ted (November 30, 1994). "NFL Suspends Wycheck After Steroid Test". Philadelphia Daily News. Retrieved August 12, 2012.
  30. ^ a b c "Frank Wycheck". Tennessee Titans. Archived from the original on February 4, 2004.
  31. ^ Kuharsky, Paul (February 6, 2017). "Frank Wycheck believes he has CTE, fears the onset of 'scary' symptoms". espn.com. ESPN. Retrieved December 10, 2023.
  32. ^ Wyatt, Jim (December 10, 2023). "Former Titans Tight End Frank Wycheck Dies at Age 52". TennesseeTitans.com. Tennessee Titans. Retrieved December 10, 2023.
  33. ^ Salvador, Joseph (December 10, 2023). "Former Titans TE Frank Wycheck, Hero of Music City Miracle Play, Dead at 52". SI.com. Sports Illustrated. Retrieved December 10, 2023.
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