Frank Wycheck
Frank Wycheck (October 14, 1971 – December 9, 2023) was an American professional football tight end who played eleven seasons in the National Football League (NFL) from 1993 to 2003, primarily with the Houston Oilers/Tennessee Titans franchise.[1][2] Drafted in the sixth round of the 1993 NFL Draft by the Washington Redskins out of the University of Maryland, Wycheck appeared in 155 games, starting 135, and recorded 505 receptions for 5,126 yards and 28 touchdowns during his career.[1][3] He earned three Pro Bowl selections (1998–2000) and a second-team All-Pro honor in 2000, and was inducted into the Tennessee Titans Ring of Honor in 2008.[3] Wycheck's most iconic moment came during the 1999 AFC wild-card playoff game against the Buffalo Bills, known as the "Music City Miracle," where he threw a lateral pass to teammate Kevin Dyson for a 75-yard game-winning touchdown as time expired, securing a 22–16 victory for the Titans.[2][3] After spending his first two seasons with the Redskins, he joined the Oilers via waivers in 1995 and remained with the franchise through its relocation to Tennessee in 1997, becoming a key contributor to their offense with 482 receptions for 4,958 yards and 27 touchdowns over nine seasons.[3] Wycheck announced his retirement on January 23, 2004, following a 2003 season limited by a concussion.[3] Following his playing career, Wycheck transitioned into broadcasting, serving as a color commentator for the Titans Radio Network from 2005 to 2016 and co-hosting the popular Nashville sports talk radio show The Wake Up Zone on 104.5 FM.[4][5] He was inducted into the Tennessee Sports Hall of Fame in 2020 for his contributions to Tennessee sports both on and off the field.[5] Wycheck died at age 52 in Chattanooga, Tennessee, after suffering a fall at his home and hitting his head; he was found unresponsive later that day. A posthumous examination revealed he had suffered from stage III chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE).[2][6]Early years
Early life
Frank Wycheck was born on October 14, 1971, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.[5] He grew up in Northeast Philadelphia as the son of a Philadelphia police officer, in a close-knit family that included a brother named Teddy.[7] Wycheck's early years were shaped by the sports-saturated culture of Philadelphia, where he developed a passion for athletics from a young age. He graduated from Archbishop Ryan High School in 1989, where he played football and earned a scholarship to the University of Maryland.[8]College football
Wycheck attended the University of Maryland from 1989 to 1992. As a true freshman in 1990, he led the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) in receptions with 58 catches for 509 yards and one touchdown, setting a Maryland freshman record with 14 receptions in a single game against Virginia Tech.[9][10] Over his three playing seasons (1990–1992), Wycheck amassed 134 receptions for 1,183 yards and three receiving touchdowns, ranking seventh all-time in Maryland receptions at the time of his departure.[10][9] He earned second-team All-ACC honors in 1991 after recording 45 receptions for 438 yards and one touchdown, while also contributing as a rusher in his final two years with 80 carries for 391 yards and five touchdowns.[9][10] Following his junior year, Wycheck declared early for the 1993 NFL Draft.[10]Professional football career
Washington Redskins
Frank Wycheck was selected by the Washington Redskins in the sixth round (160th overall) of the 1993 NFL Draft out of the University of Maryland.[1] As a rookie, he appeared in nine games, starting seven, and recorded 16 receptions for 113 yards with no touchdowns, adjusting to the professional level in a limited receiving role behind established tight ends.[11] Wycheck primarily served as a blocking tight end, a position that aligned with the Redskins' emphasis on run support and protection, though he was noted for needing further development in those skills early in his career.[12] In 1994, Wycheck's production dipped further, with seven receptions for 55 yards and one touchdown across nine games and one start, as injuries including two concussions and a four-game suspension for a positive steroid test disrupted his season.[13][14] He occasionally lined up as a fullback during this period but remained a modest contributor overall in 18 games over two seasons.[15] Wycheck returned for the 1995 training camp but was released by the Redskins on August 16, 1995, after which he was claimed off waivers by the Houston Oilers the following day.[14][16] His tenure with Washington marked an inauspicious start to his NFL career, characterized by limited opportunities and foundational experience as a blocker rather than a primary pass-catcher.[3]Tennessee Oilers/Titans
Wycheck was claimed off waivers by the Houston Oilers from the Washington Redskins on August 17, 1995, marking the beginning of his tenure with the franchise.[3] He spent the 1995 and 1996 seasons as a backup tight end, appearing in 16 games each year and recording 40 receptions for 471 yards and 1 touchdown in 1995, followed by 53 receptions for 511 yards and 6 touchdowns in 1996.[1] Following the team's relocation to Tennessee after the 1996 season, the Oilers temporarily became the Tennessee Oilers in 1997 before rebranding as the Tennessee Titans in 1999.[2] Wycheck emerged as a full-time starter in 1997, leading the team in receptions with 63 catches for 748 yards and four touchdowns, a role he solidified through the franchise's transition.[1] His performance peaked from 1998 to 2000, during which he earned three consecutive Pro Bowl selections and was named second-team All-Pro in 2000.[2] In 1998, he set a personal best with 70 receptions for 768 yards and two touchdowns, helping the Titans reach the playoffs; he matched the reception total in 2000 with 70 catches for 636 yards and four scores.[1] The following year, 1999, Wycheck recorded 69 receptions for 641 yards and two touchdowns, contributing significantly to the team's run to Super Bowl XXXIV.[1] One of Wycheck's most iconic contributions came in the 1999-2000 AFC Wild Card playoff game against the Buffalo Bills on January 8, 2000. With 16 seconds remaining and the Titans trailing 16-15, fullback Lorenzo Neal fielded a short kickoff near the 25-yard line and immediately lateraled the ball to Wycheck, who ran to the right sideline before throwing a backward pass across the field to wide receiver Kevin Dyson, who sprinted 75 yards for the game-winning touchdown in what became known as the "Music City Miracle."[2] The play, reviewed and upheld by officials as a legal lateral rather than a forward pass, secured a 22-16 victory and cemented Wycheck's status as a franchise hero.[3] Wycheck's production declined in his final seasons due to mounting injuries, particularly in 2003 when he suffered multiple concussions that limited him to 10 games and 17 receptions for 165 yards and two touchdowns.[1] He played out the year but retired on January 23, 2004, at age 32, citing the cumulative effects of head trauma as a key factor in his decision.[2] Over his nine seasons with the Oilers and Titans, Wycheck amassed 482 receptions for 4,958 yards and 27 touchdowns, rankings that placed him third in franchise history for catches at the time of his retirement.[3] His loyalty to the team, combined with his reliable blocking and receiving skills, earned him enduring popularity among fans, leading to his induction into the Titans Ring of Honor in 2008.[17]NFL statistics
Regular season
Frank Wycheck's NFL regular season career spanned 11 seasons from 1993 to 2003, primarily as a tight end for the Washington Redskins and later the Houston/Tennessee Oilers/Titans, where he established himself as a reliable target in the passing game.[1] Initially serving as a backup with the Redskins, Wycheck transitioned into a starting role after joining the Oilers in 1995, gradually evolving into one of the league's premier tight ends by the late 1990s.[1] His development was marked by increased involvement in the offense, culminating in three consecutive Pro Bowl selections from 1998 to 2000, during which he achieved career-high production in receptions and yards.[1] Injuries in his final years contributed to a decline, leading to his retirement after the 2003 season.[1] Over 155 regular season games, Wycheck recorded 505 receptions for 5,126 receiving yards and 28 receiving touchdowns, showcasing his consistency as a possession receiver with strong hands and route-running ability.[1] These totals reflect his growth from limited opportunities early on—averaging under 12 receptions per season in his first two years—to becoming a focal point of the Titans' passing attack, where he often ranked among the top tight ends league-wide in receptions during his peak.[1] The following table summarizes Wycheck's year-by-year regular season receiving statistics:| Year | Team | Games | Receptions | Yards | Touchdowns |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1993 | WAS | 9 | 16 | 113 | 0 |
| 1994 | WAS | 9 | 7 | 55 | 1 |
| 1995 | HOU | 16 | 40 | 471 | 1 |
| 1996 | HOU | 16 | 53 | 511 | 6 |
| 1997 | TEN | 16 | 63 | 748 | 4 |
| 1998 | TEN | 16 | 70 | 768 | 2 |
| 1999 | TEN | 16 | 69 | 641 | 2 |
| 2000 | TEN | 16 | 70 | 636 | 4 |
| 2001 | TEN | 16 | 60 | 672 | 4 |
| 2002 | TEN | 15 | 40 | 346 | 2 |
| 2003 | TEN | 10 | 17 | 165 | 2 |