Budd was considered the world's best 100 y/m sprinter in 1961. That year, he was to equal the world record for 100 y at 9.3 s, set a new world record at 9.2 s for that distance, and was a member of a team that set a world record in the 4 × 100 m relay of 39.1 s. The next year, 1962, he equaled the world record for 200 m/220 y on a straight track of 20.0 s.
Budd had finished second behind Ray Norton in the United States Olympic trials at 100 m in a closely fought contest between the first four finishers, all recording the same time of 10.4 s. At the Olympics themselves, Budd was to finish fifth in the final with perhaps his inexperience at major championships telling against him. Budd was to experience further disappointment in the 4 × 100 m relay. The United States team finished first in a worldrecord time of 39.4 s but were disqualified because the at the first exchange from Budd to Norton, Norton started too early and the exchange happened outside the changeover box. The West German team who finished second in 39.5 s received the gold medals and became the new world record holders.
World Records
In 1961, Budd was to equal twice the then world record for 100 y of 9.3 s:
on 6 May in Villanova;
on June 11 in Villanova
This record had stood since 1948 having first been set by Mel Patton and subsequently equaled by 12 other athletes. Then on June 24, 1961, Budd became the first man to run the 100 y in 9.2 s. He was competing in the AAU Championships at Downing Stadium in New York City. Further to this, on July 15, 1961, in a dual USA-USSR meet, Budd was a member of team that set a new world record for the 4 × 100 m relay of 39.1 s. The next year, 1962, he equaled the world record for 200 m/220 y on a straight track of 20.0 s. It is claimed that Budd, feeing a twinge in a muscle, was easing-up the last 70 m.
Rankings
Budd was ranked among the best in the US and the world in both the 100 and 200 m sprint events during the period 1960-62, according to the votes of the experts of Track and Field News.
Year
World rank
US rank
1960
9th
4th
1961
1st
1st
1962
4th
2nd
Year
World rank
US rank
1960
-
-
1961
5th
1st
1962
7th
2nd
USA Championships
Budd achieved notable success at the AAU championships, the USA national championships.
Year
100y
220y
1960
4th
-
1961
1st
3rd
American football career
Budd was drafted by the Philadelphia Eagles in the seventh round of the 1962 NFL Draft and played for the Eagles in 1962 as a wide receiver. He played for the Washington Redskins in 1963 before switching to the Canadian Football League, where he played for the Calgary Stampeders. Budd had both sporting and financial reasons for giving up the chance of further glory on the track for the possibility of glory and wealth on the football field; as his wife, Barbera, has stated, "...you've got to remember that Frank loved football, too,....He didn't think it was a mistake at all. There was no money available then in track. He'd been a terrific player at Asbury Park, and he thought, with all his speed, he'd have a long career in the NFL.".
Accolades and awards
In 1995, Budd was one of the seven former Villanova athletes chosen to be a member of the first induction class of the Villanova Wall of Fame.
