Lasting Memories

Frankie Albert
Jan. 27, 1920-Aug. 15, 2002
Palo Alto, California

Legendary quarterback Frankie Albert, a former Stanford All-American and pioneer with the San Francisco 49ers, died Sept. 4, 2002, in Palo Alto following complications from Alzheimer's disease. He was 82.

Born in Chicago, Ill., on Jan. 27, 1920, he became the first T-formation quarterback in modern football, first gained fame by leading Stanford's Wow Boys to a 10-0 record and 21-13 victory over Nebraska in the 1941 Rose Bowl.

He finished third in the Heisman Trophy balloting his senior year, was selected by the Chicago Bears as the 10th player overall in the 1942 NFL Draft. Instead, however, Albert joined the Navy, where he served as an aircraft officer in the Pacific during World War II.

He joined the San Francisco 49ers in 1946 in their first season in the All-America Football Conference. In 1948, Albert led the AAFC with 29 touchdown passes and shared the Most Valuable Player award with Cleveland's famed Otto Graham -- in addition to being named Pro Football Player of the Year by Sport Magazine.

In 1951, San Francisco acquired Y.A. Tittle from Baltimore and the two quarterbacks alternated for two years before Albert retired in 1952. He returned to coach the 49ers from 1956-58 and had a 19-17-1 record in three seasons. Albert was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 1956.

Albert is survived by his wife, Martha Albert of Palo Alto, with whom he celebrated his 60th anniversary this summer; daughters Jane Albert Williams of Palo Alto; Nancy Albert James of Bend, Ore.; and Terry Albert Levin of San Francisco; and seven grandchildren.