Frank Youso

Frank Youso was born in International Falls on July 5, 1936. He began his high school career in the 1950 and 1951 seasons under Coach Gordon Paschka, and when Frank "Butch" Larson arrived as coach of the Broncos in 1952, Youso matured into a major college recruit. He captained the 1953 Broncos and helped them win an Iron Range Conference title, also starring in basketball, and while gaining All-State recognition he decided to play for the University of Minnesota. There he was coached by Murray Warmath, practiced against the varsity as a freshman when freshmen were not allowed to play varsity football, and then held a two-way starting position at tackle during the 1955 through 1957 seasons. Youso had a distinguished career as a Gopher and became the second draft pick of the NFL's New York Giants, where Jim Lee Howell was head coach and Vince Lombardi offensive coordinator. In his 1958 rookie season, he finished second in balloting for Rookie of the Year and started at offensive right tackle as New York won the Eastern Conference title, though the team lost the NFL championship game in overtime to Baltimore in what was called perhaps the greatest game ever played. In 1960, Allie Sherman became head coach of the New York Giants, and after that season Youso became a Minnesota Viking in the expansion draft. He played for the Minnesota Vikings under Coach Norm Van Brocklin in 1961 and 1962, then after a stormy relationship with Van Brocklin he was picked up by the Oakland Raiders in 1963. He played three seasons for the Raiders under Coach Al Davis, retired after the 1965 season following eight NFL seasons, was inducted into the Bronco Athletic Hall of Fame in 2012, and lives in International Falls.

International Falls, Minnesota · United States