Hall of Fame
Position: Tackle
Years: 1935-1937
Place of Birth: Jersey City, NJ
Date of Birth: Apr 24, 1915
Place of Death: Bayonne, NJ
Date of Death: Nov 18, 1992
Jersey Number: 10
Height: 5-8
Weight: 196
High School: Jersey City, NJ (Dickinson HS)
The Fordham Rams of the 1930's were one of college football's powerhouse teams. Fordham's success was built on the strength of its line, which became known as the "Seven Blocks of Granite." Ed Franco and Alex Wojciechowicz were two "granite blocks" that later became members of the College Football Hall of Fame. Vince Lombardi was another member of that famous line. Known as "Devil Doll," Franco came from Dickinson High School in Jersey City, New Jersey, to Fordham. He was elected president of the freshman class. The 5-8, 196-pound Franco started as a guard for the Rams and was moved to tackle. In 1935 the Rams posted a 6-1-2 record with five shutouts. The 1936 squad lost only one game, the season final to New York University. Franco was captain of the East team in the East-West Shrine game. Following graduation, he returned to Fordham as a line coach and later worked for Vince Lombardi as a scout for the Green Bay Packers.
