Today, his former number, No. 1, is among the honored jerseys on display at Papa John’s Cardinal Stadium.

Frank Minnifield’s name wasn’t on any recruiting lists when he attended Henry Clay High School in Lexington. He badly wanted to play college football but no scholarship offers were forthcoming.

He would catch the eye of Vince Gibson who would let him to walk on the University of Louisville in 1979. Making the most of that opportunity, Minnifield would have an outstanding career as a corner back and punt returner. He would go to play for the Cleveland Browns for eight seasons, earning Pro Bowl three years in a row.

Minnifield’s persistence and skills have earned him the respect and admiration of his fellow members of the U of L Board of Trustees. He was recently elected Chairman of the Board, the first former U of L football player to ever hold the position. He fills some big shoes as he succeeds Owsley Brown Frazier.

He still resides in Lexington, where he owns Minnifield Enterprises, a construction company.

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By Charlie Springer

Charlie Springer is a former Louisville editor and sportswriter, a public affairs consultant, a UofL grad and longtime fan.