SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 5
(By Senators Hunter, Prezioso, Sharpe, Plymale, Minard, Ross,
Redd, Helmick, Jackson, Kessler, Chafin, Edgell, Oliverio,
Dittmar, McKenzie, Sprouse, Anderson, Walker, Bailey, McCabe,
Unger, Boley, Dawson, Mitchell, Minear, Deem, Snyder and Tomblin,
Mr. President)
Commemorating Pro Football Hall of Fame member Frank Gatski, a
native West Virginian, for his outstanding accomplishments
during his pro football career.
Whereas, Frank Gatski, a native of Farmington, was born March
18, 1923, the son of a coal miner; and
Whereas, During his high school years, Frank Gatski played
football as a center and never missed a practice or a game; and
Whereas, Following his graduation from high school, Frank
Gatski worked in the coal mines of West Virginia; and
Whereas, Frank Gatski was offered a test with the Marshall
College football team which he passed. While at Marshall College,
he was nicknamed "Gunner" and was known as a man of action, not
words; and
Whereas, Frank Gatski left West Virginia to serve his nation
with pride and distinction in Europe during World War II. He
returned in 1945 to play football at Auburn University; and
Whereas, In 1946, Frank Gatski was offered a contract to play
for the Cleveland Browns in the newly formed All-American Football
Conference. The competition was rugged, but rookie Gatski
survived; and
Whereas, Frank Gatski played for the Cleveland Browns from
1946 to 1949 as an AAFC team member. He continued to play with the
Browns from 1950 to 1956 when the team first became a National
Football League (NFL) team; and
Whereas, Durability was a major asset to this strong, quiet
young man from West Virginia. During his career, Gatski played in
eleven championship games in twelve years, a feat unmatched by any
other nonkicker in ninety-three years of pro football; and
Whereas, The early years of his career were with the Cleveland
Browns, but he capped his career in 1957 while playing with the
Detroit Lions when he won his eighth championship ring in Detroit,
Michigan; and
Whereas, After his retirement in 1957 from pro football, Frank
Gatski returned to West Virginia and coached football for two
decades at the West Virginia School for Boys at Pruntytown; and
Whereas, In 1985, nearly three decades after leaving pro
football, Frank Gatski was enshrined in the Pro Football Hall of
Fame, a fitting tribute to a native West Virginian who was an unsung hero of pro football. He has also been inducted into the
West Virginia Sports Writers Hall of Fame, the Marshall University
Hall of Fame and the American Polish Hall of Fame. Additionally,
he has been recognized by
Sports Illustrated as one of West
Virginia's top athletes; therefore, be it
Resolved by the Senate:
That the Senate hereby commends Frank Gatski on his
outstanding career and accomplishments in pro football and for
bringing pride and distinction to West Virginia as a favorite son
who is now enshrined in the Pro Football Hall of Fame; and, be it
Further Resolved, That the Clerk is hereby directed to forward
a copy of this resolution to Frank Gatski, distinguished West
Virginian and Pro Football Hall of Fame member.
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