Frank Bacon

Francis William Bacon (January 11, 1894 – August 31, 1977) was an American football, baseball, and basketball player. He played for the Dayton Triangles in the first official National Football League (NFL) game and was the first NFL player to return a punt for a touchdown. He played in the NFL from 1920 to 1925, appearing in 47 games and scoring 14 touchdowns.

Early life and college Bacon was born in South Bend, Indiana, in 1894. He attended South Bend High School and was described by the South Bend Tribune as "the greatest basketball player ever sent out by the local institution." He then enrolled at Wabash College where he played college basketball (as a guard), football (as a halfback and fullback), and baseball (as a first baseman) from 1914 to 1916 and was captain of the basketball team. He was also senior class president and rated as "one of the greatest athletes of the state." He enlisted in March 1918, The war ended before Bacon deployed to Europe. and with Little Rock in the Southern Association in 1919.

In 1919, he joined the Dayton Triangles professional football team.

Bacon continued with the club from 1920 to 1925.

Later life Bacon was married in December 1920 to Ruth Weaver of Ponca City, Oklahoma.

Bacon died in 1977 in Sandusky, Ohio.