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Travis Frederick
Travis Frederick
from Wikipedia

Travis Frederick (born March 18, 1991) is an American former professional football player who spent his entire seven-year career as a center for the Dallas Cowboys of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Wisconsin Badgers and was selected 31st overall by the Cowboys in the first round of the 2013 NFL draft. In his time as a Cowboy he was elected to five Pro Bowls and he was an All-Pro in 2014, 2015 and 2016. Frederick is now the co-founder & chief operating officer of the tabletop role-playing game company Demiplane.

Key Information

Early life

[edit]

A native of Sharon, Wisconsin, Frederick attended Big Foot High School in Walworth, Wisconsin, where he was an all-state two-way lineman. He helped his high school team to second place in the 2008 WIAA Division 4 state playoffs.[1]

Frederick was also on Big Foot's track team. He finished second in the shot put at the 2008 'BDN' Invite, with a throw of 15.23 meters (50 ft 0 in). He took silver in the discus throw at the 2008 WIAA Sectional Championships, with a throw of 49.30 meters (161 ft 9 in).[2]

Regarded as a three-star recruit by Rivals.com, Frederick was ranked as the No. 83 offensive tackle prospect in his class.[3]

College career

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Frederick attended the University of Wisconsin–Madison, and played for the Wisconsin Badgers football team from 2009 to 2012. After graduating high school early to participate in spring practice, Frederick became the first true freshman in Badgers history to start a season-opening game on the offensive line, when he lined up at center against Northern Illinois. An ankle injury in week 2 knocked him out of the starting lineup, but he returned for the final two games, at left guard, after center Peter Konz was sidelined (blood clots) and John Moffitt was moved to center. For the season, he played in five games, starting four (two at center and two at left guard).

In order to preserve a year of Frederick's NCAA eligibility, Wisconsin coaching staff decided to redshirt him in 2010.[4] In his redshirt sophomore season, Frederick replaced John Moffitt, starting 11 of 13 games at left guard. For two games, he had to substitute for Peter Konz at center.

Following Konz's departure for the 2012 NFL draft, Frederick was moved to center his junior season. He started all 13 games at center and was named a first-team All-American by Pro Football Weekly.[5]

Professional career

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Considered the best center in his class by Mel Kiper Jr. of ESPN, Frederick decided to enter the 2013 NFL draft as an underclassman.[6] He was projected to be a second- to third-round selection.

At the NFL Combine, Frederick ran a 5.58 in the 40-yard dash, second-slowest among offensive lineman.[7] He also posted a below-average 21 repetitions in the 225 lb bench press.[8][9]

Pre-draft measurables
Height Weight Arm length Hand span 40-yard dash 10-yard split 20-yard split 20-yard shuttle Three-cone drill Vertical jump Broad jump Bench press
6 ft 3+58 in
(1.92 m)
312 lb
(142 kg)
33 in
(0.84 m)
10 in
(0.25 m)
5.58 s 1.91 s 3.20 s 4.76 s 7.81 s 28+12 in
(0.72 m)
8 ft 1 in
(2.46 m)
21 reps
All values from NFL Combine[10][11]
Frederick snapping the football to Dak Prescott in 2017

In the 2013 NFL draft, the Dallas Cowboys traded down in the first round with the San Francisco 49ers in exchange for a third-round pick (used to draft Terrance Williams). In the first round, the team selected Frederick after eight offensive linemen were drafted before him.[12] This decision caused a stir in the media because it was not only seen as a reach, but the trade was also criticized for bringing poor compensation after moving down 13 positions.[13]

Frederick was named a starter from the first day of Organized Team Activities in the preseason, replacing Phil Costa, who had been the starter in the previous two years. He became the first rookie in franchise history to start every game at center and was selected to the NFL All-Rookie team.[14][15]

The next year, he continued his development, by anchoring what was arguably considered as the best offensive line in the league and was also named to his first Pro Bowl.

In 2015, he had to work with four different starting quarterbacks with varying degrees of knowledge of the team's offense, which required him to make more protection calls. He was named to his second Pro Bowl.[16]

On August 13, 2016, Frederick signed a six-year, $56.4 million contract extension with the Cowboys, making him the highest-paid center in the league.[17]

Before the start of the 2016 season, Frederick was named one of the five team captains.[18] That year, Frederick helped pave the way for rookie running back Ezekiel Elliott to the NFL rushing yards leader and his first Pro Bowl while protecting rookie quarterback Dak Prescott to his first Pro Bowl as well. He was named to his third straight Pro Bowl and was named First-team All-Pro, both honors being shared with fellow Cowboy offensive linemen Tyron Smith and Zack Martin.[19] He was also ranked 87th on the NFL Top 100 Players of 2017 as the only center in the list.[20]

On December 19, 2017, Frederick was named to his fourth straight Pro Bowl alongside tackle Tyron Smith and guard Zack Martin for the second straight year.[21]

On September 3, 2018, Frederick was placed on injured reserve to start the 2018 season after being diagnosed with Guillain–Barré syndrome on August 22.[22] He was inactive for the first four games before being placed on the reserve/non-football illness list on October 6, 2018.[23]

Frederick was named to his fifth Pro Bowl in 2019.

On March 23, 2020, Frederick announced his retirement from professional football.[24][25]

Other endeavors

[edit]

Frederick, with Peter Romenesko, co-founded Demiplane in 2019. Demiplane acts as a digital platform for various tabletop role-playing game tools such as game hosting and matchmaking along with digital compendiums for licensed games; the platform launched in 2020.[26][27] Frederick is the company's chief operating officer.[28] On the change of direction in his career, Frederick said, "I really enjoy the challenge of something new".[29] In June 2024, Demiplane was acquired by the virtual tabletop company Roll20.[30]

Personal life

[edit]

Frederick double majored in computer engineering and computer science at the University of Wisconsin.[31]

On August 22, 2018, Frederick was diagnosed with Guillain–Barré syndrome.[32][33][34]

Frederick has two brothers, Tyler and Collin.

References

[edit]
[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia
from Grokipedia
Travis Frederick (born March 18, 1991) is an American former professional football center who played seven seasons in the (NFL) for the from 2013 to 2019. A native of Sharon, , Frederick attended Big Foot High School in , where he excelled as a two-way lineman. He enrolled early at the University of in 2009, becoming the first true freshman in program history to start a season-opening game on the offensive line. Over his college career, Frederick started 31 games, including all 14 at center during his senior year, and earned first-team All-American honors from in 2012 while maintaining Academic All-Big Ten recognition; he graduated with a degree in . Selected by the in the first round (31st overall) of the , Frederick became the first rookie in franchise history to start every game at that season. He went on to start all 96 regular-season games and three playoff contests he appeared in over his career, anchoring the ' offensive line as a five-time selection (2014–2017, 2019) and earning first-team honors in 2016 along with two second-team selections (2014, 2015). In 2018, Frederick was sidelined for the entire season after being diagnosed with Guillain-Barré syndrome, a rare autoimmune disorder affecting the . He made a remarkable return in 2019, earning another nod, but announced his retirement on March 23, 2020, at age 29, citing the ongoing physical toll of the illness that prevented him from performing at his prior elite level. Following his retirement, Frederick received the 2020 George Halas Award from the for overcoming significant adversity to return to the field. He has since dedicated efforts to , founding the Blocking Hunger Foundation in 2017 to food insecurity among inner-city and low-income children in the Dallas-Fort Worth area by providing meals and support services. In September 2025, Frederick was inducted into the University of Wisconsin Athletic Hall of Fame, recognizing his contributions to Badger football.

Early life and high school

Upbringing and family

Travis Frederick was born on March 18, 1991, in Sharon, . He is the middle son of Kevin Frederick and Cheryl Lynne (Neff) Frederick, who raised their family in the small rural community of Sharon in County. Frederick has two brothers: an older brother, Tyler, born in 1983, and a younger brother, Collin. The family lived in a town of approximately 1,600 residents, where Frederick developed an early interest in amid the area's agricultural surroundings and close-knit environment. Cheryl Frederick passed away on October 9, 2020, at age 57. This rural upbringing in Sharon shaped Frederick's foundational years before he transitioned to high school athletics at nearby Big Foot High School.

High school athletics

Travis Frederick attended Big Foot High School in Walworth, , where he emerged as a standout athlete in football and . As a two-way lineman for the Big Foot Chieftains, Frederick earned Wisconsin Football Coaches Association (WFCA) First Team All-State honors on the offensive line during his junior and senior years, while also receiving All-State recognition on the defensive line as a senior and honorable mention as a junior. Standing at 6-foot-5 and 315 pounds, he was a dominant force who helped anchor the team's lines and contributed to a streak of 56 consecutive conference victories. In 2008, his senior year, Frederick played a key role in leading Big Foot to the WIAA Division 4 state championship game, where the team finished as runners-up after a 20-0 loss to Wautoma. Frederick also excelled in , competing in the shot put and events to build his strength and explosiveness. His personal best in the shot put was 49 feet 11 inches (15.21 meters), achieved in 2008, while his top measured 161 feet 9 inches (49.30 meters) that same year. These performances highlighted his athletic versatility and drew initial recruitment interest from colleges, including a offer from the University of Wisconsin after he impressed coaches at a with his size, intensity, and footwork.

College career

University of Wisconsin

Travis Frederick enrolled at the University of Wisconsin in the spring of 2009 as an early enrollee, graduating high school a semester ahead of schedule to join the Badgers' spring practices. As a true that fall, he became the first in program history to start at center for the season opener against , filling in due to injuries on the offensive line. He appeared in five games that season, starting four—two at center and two at left guard—before an ankle injury sidelined him. To preserve his eligibility, Frederick redshirted the 2010 season, focusing on development without game action. Returning as a redshirt in 2011, he transitioned to left guard and started 11 games there, providing stability to the interior line while occasionally filling in at . In , his junior year, Frederick reclaimed the position and started all 14 games, serving as the anchor of the Badgers' physical, run-oriented offensive line that emphasized power blocking in the trenches. Over his college career, Frederick appeared in 32 games with 31 starts, demonstrating versatility across both guard and roles on one of the Big Ten's most formidable front lines. He also pursued a double major in and .

Honors and academics

During his junior season in 2012, Frederick earned first-team All-Big Ten honors from the media after anchoring the offensive line for the . He also received first-team All-American recognition from for his performance that year, following a campaign in which he started all 14 games at . In addition to his on-field accolades, Frederick distinguished himself academically throughout his college career. He was selected to the Academic All-Big Ten team in 2012, recognizing his strong performance in the classroom alongside his athletic contributions. Frederick graduated from the in 2013 with a double major in and , a rigorous academic pursuit that complemented his demanding football schedule. His former coach, , noted the uncommon challenge of such a course load for a student-athlete in a high-contact position like offensive line.

Professional career

NFL draft and early years

Frederick was selected by the with the 31st overall pick in the first round of the , after the team traded down from the 18th position in a deal with the . His strong performance as a center for the University of Wisconsin, where he anchored the offensive line, positioned him as a top interior lineman prospect entering the draft. As a , Frederick earned the starting role for and appeared in all 16 regular-season games, starting each one and playing every offensive snap. His contributions helped stabilize the Cowboys' offensive line, which supported a rushing attack that ranked among the league's better units early in the season. In pass protection, he allowed 3.5 sacks across the year, demonstrating solid technique despite occasional challenges against elite defensive fronts. Frederick's rookie performance earned him recognition as a member of the All-Rookie Team, highlighting his immediate impact as a reliable pivot for . This accolade underscored his quick adaptation to the professional level, setting a foundation for his role in ' offensive scheme.

Peak performance and contracts

During the 2014 through 2016 seasons, Travis Frederick established himself as one of the NFL's premier centers, earning selections each year for his exceptional play with the . In 2014, his second NFL season, Frederick anchored the Cowboys' offensive line, contributing to a unit that ranked among the league's best in pass protection and run blocking. Building on his solid rookie foundation in 2013 where he started all 16 games, Frederick's consistency elevated the Cowboys' offense during this peak period. Frederick received second-team All-Pro honors from the in both 2014 and 2015, recognizing his technical proficiency and intelligence in line calls. In 2016, he earned first-team acclaim, capping a dominant year where he started all 16 games and helped the Cowboys achieve the NFL's second-ranked rushing attack. His performance metrics underscored this excellence: Frederick started every regular-season game from 2014 to 2017, totaling 64 consecutive starts, while maintaining one of the league's lowest sack rates, allowing just one sack over those 64 games. graded his pass-blocking efficiency at 98.7 in 2015, the highest among centers, reflecting elite protection. In August 2016, amid his campaign, Frederick signed a six-year, $56.4 million contract extension with , making him the highest-paid in history at the time with $18.2 million fully guaranteed. This deal, which included $28 million over the first three years, rewarded his sustained impact and secured his role as the offensive line's cornerstone through 2023.

Injury and retirement

In August 2018, during , center Travis Frederick was diagnosed with Guillain-Barré syndrome, a rare autoimmune disorder that affects the . The diagnosis, announced on August 22, led to Frederick undergoing treatments including plasma exchange and , ultimately causing him to miss the entire as he focused on recovery. Frederick made a remarkable return in 2019, starting all 16 regular-season games for and anchoring the offensive line with his pre-injury level of performance. His resilience earned him a fifth selection that year, highlighting his successful rehabilitation and on-field impact following the health setback. On March 23, 2020, at the age of 29, Frederick announced his retirement from the after seven professional seasons, citing the lingering effects of his 2018 illness and a reevaluation of his life priorities as key factors in the decision. Over his career from 2013 to 2019, he appeared in and started 96 regular-season games, establishing himself as one of the league's premier centers before stepping away.

Awards and honors

NFL accolades

Travis Frederick earned widespread recognition for his excellence as a center during his NFL career with the Dallas Cowboys. He was selected to the five times, in 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, and 2019, highlighting his consistent dominance in pass protection and run blocking. Frederick received first-team honors in 2016 and second-team honors in 2014 and 2015, with selections from organizations including the , , , and , underscoring his elite technique and intelligence at the position. In his rookie season, he was named to the All-Rookie Team in 2013, becoming the first Cowboys rookie to start every game at in franchise history. As the anchor of ' offensive line, Frederick provided stability and leadership during the team's 2014 playoff run, where his precise snapping and blocking helped protect quarterback in high-stakes games. His nod came after a remarkable return from a season-long absence due to Guillain-Barré syndrome, demonstrating his resilience and impact on the line's performance.

Post-career recognitions

Following his retirement from the in March 2020, Travis Frederick has received several notable recognitions that underscore his contributions to football at both the professional and collegiate levels. In September 2024, Frederick was named a first-time nominee among 167 modern-era players for the Class of 2025, though he was not selected for induction, highlighting his status as a standout offensive lineman during his tenure with the . In 2020, Frederick received the from the for his courageous comeback from Guillain-Barré syndrome. In May 2025, Frederick was announced as part of the University of Wisconsin Athletics Hall of Fame Class of 2025, recognizing his exceptional college career where he started 31 games, including all 13 at center during his senior year, and earned first-team All-Big Ten honors. The induction ceremony took place during Hall of Fame weekend on September 5 and 6, 2025, at , where he was honored alongside other Badger greats for his role in elevating the program's offensive line during the early . Frederick also maintained a visible connection to the Cowboys organization post-retirement, serving in a special capacity during the in April. He announced the team's Day 2 selections (rounds 2 and 3) from , his hometown area, allowing him to represent the franchise that drafted him first overall in 2013 while engaging with fans and prospects. These honors reflect Frederick's enduring legacy as one of the premier s of the , known for his intelligence, durability (when healthy), and leadership in anchoring the Cowboys' offensive line through multiple playoff runs and franchise records for consecutive starts by a . His impact on , where he played all seven professional seasons, continues to be celebrated as a benchmark for interior linemen in the .

Post-retirement endeavors

Business ventures

In 2019, Travis Frederick co-founded Demiplane in Green Bay, Wisconsin, alongside lifelong friend Peter Romenesko, creating a digital platform to support tabletop role-playing games (TTRPGs) by digitizing rulebooks, character sheets, and providing tools for online gameplay. The company officially launched its core product, Nexus, in 2020, focusing on features like character building, matchmaking for players and game masters, integrated video and voice chat, and post-session rating systems to streamline TTRPG experiences across systems such as Dungeons & Dragons, Pathfinder, and Call of Cthulhu. As (COO) of Demiplane, Frederick applied his undergraduate degree in from the to oversee operations and technical development, transitioning to a full-time role in the tech sector after his football career. Under his leadership, the platform expanded partnerships with major publishers like and , enhancing accessibility for remote play during the and beyond. In June 2024, , a prominent virtual provider, acquired Demiplane to integrate its character tools into Roll20's , serving over 15 million users while maintaining separate platforms initially. Frederick has described the venture as a rewarding pivot to , expressing enthusiasm for continued innovation in digital gaming tools post-acquisition.

Philanthropy and community involvement

Following his retirement from the NFL in March 2020, Travis Frederick intensified his commitment to through the Blocking Hunger Foundation, which he founded in to address childhood hunger among underserved families in the -Fort Worth area. The organization partners with local nonprofits like Sharing Life to deliver nutritious meals, targeting children not covered by existing school or government programs, and has established initiatives such as Travis' Pantry—on-site food access points in schools—and the Nourish2Flourish program, which provides ongoing nutritional support. By emphasizing direct community impact, Frederick's efforts have helped bridge gaps in for low-income youth, with the foundation reporting that 64% of Public School students qualify for free or reduced lunches. In the early months of his retirement, amid the , Frederick pivoted the foundation's resources to meet heightened needs as school closures eliminated daily meal access for many children. The organization distributed weekly food boxes to 200 at-risk youth for 10 weeks during the 2020 summer break, focusing on those reliant on school nutrition programs. To sustain these efforts, he launched the "Moving the Chains to Block Hunger" online fundraiser in May 2020, aiming to raise $22,500 by July to expand meal provisions; by that point, the foundation had already delivered over 66,000 meals across the greater area since its inception. These initiatives underscored Frederick's post-NFL priority of tackling food insecurity during crises, with the amplifying the urgency for children in lower-income communities. Frederick's foundation work centers on , particularly school districts like Mesquite and Trinity Basin Elementary, where pantries provide discreet access to snacks and meals for students facing hunger. While rooted in his tenure, these programs extend his community ties in the state, including collaborations with local partners to serve over 1.47 million children at risk of hunger nationwide, though efforts remain localized to DFW. Post-retirement, he has continued fundraising through events and campaigns, such as a 2024 Giving Tuesday drive that directed 100% of donations to child meals in the region. Through his involvement with the Dallas Cowboys Foundations, Frederick has supported broader youth programs in Metro , including mentoring initiatives for inner-city and low-income children focused on education and . He has participated in Cowboys alumni-linked events, such as school visits where he guided fourth graders through exercises, and post-retirement fundraisers that blend his legacy with . These activities reflect his ongoing role in youth development, often drawing from his experiences growing up in a small town to motivate support for underprivileged families.

Personal life

Family

Travis Frederick married Kaylee Frederick, and the couple has two young children as of 2020. Following his retirement from the NFL in 2020, Frederick and his family relocated to Wisconsin, where they are building a home to establish as their full-time residence. As of 2025, they reside in Sharon, Wisconsin. Frederick has cited his family as a key influence on his decision to retire, emphasizing a shift in priorities toward spending more time with his wife and children after achieving professional success.

Health

In August 2018, Travis Frederick was diagnosed with Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS), a rare autoimmune disorder in which the body's attacks the peripheral nervous system, leading to , numbness, and in severe cases, temporary paralysis-like symptoms. The condition manifested initially with tingling and numbness in his toes and hands, progressing to significant loss of strength that prevented him from lifting even moderate weights, such as 225 pounds on a , which he could previously handle for multiple repetitions. These effects forced him to miss the entire and undergo intensive medical intervention. Frederick's treatment began promptly with , a procedure involving the of through large needles—up to five inches long—to remove harmful antibodies, which he underwent for several days and reported provided immediate relief from symptoms. He spent approximately six weeks in the hospital, followed by an extensive rehabilitation program focused on regaining strength and mobility in his extremities, supported by the ' athletic training staff. By early 2019, he had sufficiently recovered to return to play, participating in all 16 games that season, though he incorporated adjunctive strategies like advanced sleep technology to optimize recovery and performance. In his March 2020 retirement announcement, Frederick reflected on how the GBS ordeal reshaped his priorities, stating that confronting the illness prompted him to envision life beyond football and recognize the sport's physical toll, ultimately leading him to emphasize long-term health and over continued play. He described 2019 as particularly challenging, with daily struggles to meet his pre-illness performance standards, reinforcing his decision to retire at age 29.

References

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