Hank Fraley

Henry Franklin "Hank" Fraley, Jr. (born September 21, 1977) is a former American football offensive lineman and current assistant offensive line coach for the Minnesota Vikings of the National Football League. Originally from Gaithersburg, Maryland, Fraley played college football at Robert Morris University and was signed as an undrafted free agent in 2000 by the Pittsburgh Steelers. Waived before the start of the 2000 season, Fraley was claimed off waivers by the Philadelphia Eagles, for whom he started at center for five seasons. He lost his starting job to Jamaal Jackson before the 2006 season and was subsequently traded to the Cleveland Browns. He played for the Browns for four seasons and the St. Louis Rams for one season.

Early years

Fraley attended Gaithersburg High School and as a senior in 1995, he helped them to the Maryland state championship game.

College career

Fraley's career began as a non-scholarship player at Division I-AA Robert Morris University near Pittsburgh. He is listed as the second athlete to ever have his number, 75, retired from Robert Morris University. Fraley holds a degree in Organizational Leadership.

Professional career

Pittsburgh Steelers

Fraley was signed as an undrafted free agent by the Pittsburgh Steelers in 2000.

Philadelphia Eagles

Fraley was claimed off waivers in 2000 by the Philadelphia Eagles after being released by the Steelers. He was inactive for the entire 2000 season. In his first ever NFL game (vs St. Louis Rams on September 9, 2001), Fraley was fined for an illegal downfield block. He started in 15 games in 2001.

Fraley started in all 16 regular season games along with two postseason games during the 2002 season. He was part of an offensive line that helped the Eagles offense to 25.9 points per game, the fourth highest in the NFL.^[1]

Fraley started in all 16 regular season games in 2003 and 2004. In 2004, he was an important part of the offensive line that helped the Eagles to 4,208 passing yards, a team record and 386 points, the third most in team history.

He started the first eight games of the 2005 season, but suffered a shoulder injury at the Washington Redskins on November 6 which ruled him out for the rest of the season.

Cleveland Browns

On September 2, 2006, Fraley was traded to the Cleveland Browns in exchange for a draft pick in the 2008 NFL Draft after losing his starting job to Jamaal Jackson. He made his Browns debut versus the New Orleans Saints on September 10 and started in all 16 games.

It was said by teammate wide receiver Joe Jurevicius that Fraley should have been considered the offensive MVP in the 2006 season, due to his line calling and blue-collar work ethic.

Prior to the start of free agency in 2007, the Browns re-signed Fraley to a four-year contract for an undisclosed amount.^[2] He made his 100th NFL career start versus the Buffalo Bills on December 16.

He was released by the Browns on March 3, 2010.^[3]

St. Louis Rams

On March 14, 2010, Fraley signed with the St. Louis Rams. He was released on September 4, 2011, after just one season with the Rams.

Coaching career

Fraley was hired by the University of San Diego as the football team's offensive line coach on April 7, 2012.^[4]

On January 31, 2013, San Jose State University hired Fraley as offensive line coach for the Spartans football team under Ron Caragher.^[5]

On February 10, 2014, the Minnesota Vikings hired Fraley as an Assistant Offensive Line coach.^[6]

Personal

Hank grew up in Gaithersburg Maryland attending Gaithersburg High School. Prior to starting his NFL career, Fraley planned on teaching history and coaching football. He is married to Danielle (May 26, 2006), and in NFL offseasons they lived in Woolwich Township, New Jersey with their four sons, Trent Alexander (from another marriage), Mason, Travis and Beau, one yellow labs, Wingman, a German shepherd, Jager, and two cats Cynder and Spyro.^[7]

References

External links

• San Diego Toreros bio