Frank FitzGerald (judge)

John Francis FitzGerald (August 22, 1896[1] – July 23, 1961), sometimes referred to as France Fitzgerald, was an American football player and judge.

Frank FitzGerald
refer to caption
Fitzgerald in 1921
Personal information
Born:August 22, 1896
Holyoke, Massachusetts
Died:July 23, 1961 (aged 64)
Detroit, Michigan
Height:5 ft 10 in (1.78 m)
Weight:185 lb (84 kg)
Career information
High school:Holyoke (MA)
College:University of Detroit
Position:Halfback
Career history
Career NFL statistics
Games:7

Born in Massachusetts, he attended Holyoke High School.[2] He played college football as a halfback, playing on both offense and defense, at the University of Detroit during the 1917, 1919, 1920, and 1921 seasons.[2][3][4]

His education was interrupted during World War I with service in the United States Army.[2][5] He played professional football as a halfback for the Toledo Maroons in the National Football League (NFL). He appeared in seven NFL games, six as a starter, during the 1923 season.[6]

He studied law at the University of Detroit, worked for a time as a probation officer, and served as a Wayne County Circuit Court Commissioner for several years.[5] He became active in politics and ran for the United States Senate in 1940, losing to incumbent Senator Arthur Vandenberg.[5] In 1943, he ran for Mayor of Detroit, receiving more votes in the primary than the incumbent Mayor Edward Jeffries, but then losing to Jeffries in the general election.[5]

He was elected as a judge of the Wayne County Circuit Court in 1947 and served in that capacity until his death in July 1961.[5][7]

References
  1. Some records reflect the same date of birth but list the year of birth as 1897.
  2. "Francis Fitzgerald". Pro Football Archives. Retrieved December 10, 2020.
  3. "U. of D. Gridders Pick Fitzgerald To Pilot Eleven: Holyoke Boy Selected at Banquet Tendered Team by Alumni". Detroit Free Press. December 5, 1917. p. 13 – via Newspapers.com.
  4. "Crack Half back With The U. of D. Squad In Its Hunt For Grid Laurels". Detroit Free Press. November 7, 1921. p. 11 – via Newspapers.com.
  5. "Judge FitzGerald Dead at 62". Detroit Free Press. July 24, 1961. pp. 1, 2 – via Newspapers.com.
  6. "France Fitzgerald". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved August 12, 2020.
  7. "Burial Services Held For Judge FitzGerald". Detroit Free Press. July 27, 1961. p. 25 – via Newspapers.com.
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