Dr. Julius Franks, Jr. (September 5, 1922 – November 26, 2008) was a civil rights leader and an All-American guard who played football at the University of Michigan from 1941 to 1942. Franks wore #62 as a varsity letterman in 1941 and #63 in 1942. Franks was the first (or second depending on the source) African-American University of Michigan player to become an All-American in football. Tuberculosis cut short his collegiate athletic career. Franks went on to graduate with a dentistry degree, and practiced in Grand Rapids for many years.

Sources

• Wikipedia: Julius Franks
• Grand Rapids Press: Obituary
• Milwaukee Journal, Dec 8. 1944. "Franks and Kuzma Keep Up Sports Interest In Hospital".
• Bentley Image Bank: Julius Franks, University of Michigan All-American, 1942
• University of Michigan Athletics History: Julius Franks