Frank Hembre Nunley (October 1, 1945 – June 26, 2024), nicknamed "Fudge Hammer",[1][2] was a former American football linebacker. He played college football at the University of Michigan from 1964 to 1966 and professional football for the San Francisco 49ers from 1967 to 1976.
| Date of birth | (1945-10-01)October 1, 1945 |
|---|---|
| Place of birth | Lexington, Alabama, U.S. |
| Date of death | June 26, 2024(2024-06-26) (aged 78) |
| Place of death | San Jose, California, U.S. |
| Career information | |
| Position(s) | Linebacker |
| US college | Michigan |
| NFL draft | 1967 / Round: 3 / Pick 62 |
| Career history | |
| As player | |
| 1967–1976 | San Francisco 49ers |
| Career highlights and awards | |
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| Career stats | |
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Nunley was born in Lexington, Alabama, in 1945, and attended Belleville High SchoolinBelleville, Michigan.[3]
Nunley played college football for the University of Michigan from 1964 to 1966.[4] He was selected by the Associated Press as a first-team linebacker on its 1966 All-Big Ten Conference football team.[5] He was inducted into the University of Michigan Athletic Hall of Honor in 1989.
Nunley was selected by the San Francisco 49ers in the third round (62nd overall pick) of the 1967 NFL Draft. He remained with the 49ers for 10 seasons from 1967 to 1976.[3] Playing at the linebacker position, Nunley became a starter in 1969 and anchored the 49ers defense in the early 1970s that ran an innovative "flex" defense under Dick Nolan.[1][2] He helped lead the 1970 and 1971 49ers teams to consecutive appearances in the NFL championship games, losing both times to the Dallas Cowboys.
After retiring from football, Nunley lived in Los Altos, California, and sold electronics for Sanmina-SCA.[6]