Frank Pattee

Frank Sondles Pattee (March 11, 1924 – January 5, 2011) was an American football halfback. He was born in Smith Center, Kansas, the son of Addie (née Munson) and John Walter Pattee. He was a star football player at Smith Center High School, He was the starting fullback on Kansas' 1948 Orange Bowl team as well as one of the starting linebackers. Frank was instrumental as one of the most versatile players on the team which led to him also filling in at several other positions while at Kansas and during the 1948 Orange Bowl game. This versatility lead to him being named the team captain of the 1948 Kansas football team as well. and in the 23rd round of the 1949 NFL draft as the 228th overall pick by the Washington Redskins, but chose not to pursue a career in professional football.

Later life and legacy Pattee married Betty Jo O'Neal on June 16, 1946, at the Danforth Chapel on the campus of Kansas.

Frank and Betty Jo had two sons and two daughters, Frank Pattee Jr., Thomas Pattee, Jodie Knight, and Erin Brockovich. His daughter Erin Brockovich went on to fame as a law clerk who became internationally notable as the subject of an eponymous movie starring Julia Roberts (for which Roberts won the Best Actress Academy Award).

Pattee died on Wednesday, January 5, 2011, in Westlake Village, California. He was buried later that year in Pioneer Cemetery in Lawrence, Kansas alongside his wife.