He was drafted in the sixteenth round of the 1968 NFL Draft by the Dallas Cowboys as an offensive tackle, but was switched to the defensive line during training camp.
Dave Edwards nicknamed him "Bubber Frank", which later evolved into "Bubba". Cole made an immediate impact, playing in all 14 games and scoring 2 defensive touchdowns his rookie season. During the middle of the season, an injury to Willie Townes moved him to the starting left defensive end position. As a player, he was said to be as smart as they come, with a great work ethic. He was a versatile player, playing different positions along the defensive line during his career.
Cole was overshadowed as a defensive lineman by not one, but two generations of great players: first Bob Lilly, Jethro Pugh and George Andrie; then Randy White, Harvey Martin and Ed "Too Tall" Jones. Cole started at left end for the Cowboys in their first two Super Bowls, Super Bowl V (a loss to the Baltimore Colts) and Super Bowl VI (a 24-3 victory over the Miami Dolphins). In Super Bowl X vs. the Pittsburgh Steelers, Cole moved to right tackle to replace the retired Lilly and allow youngsters Martin and Jones to start at end.
White took over the starting position at right tackle in Super Bowl XII, relegating Cole to a reserve role in the Cowboys' 27-10 victory over the Denver Broncos. Cole returned to the starting lineup at left tackle alongside White for Super Bowl XIII when age caught up with Pugh. During his career, he made some of the biggest defensive plays in the history of the Cowboys franchise. Probably his most famous play, was the tackle of hall of famer-to-be John Riggins, that set up one of the most dramatic wins in Cowboys history on December 16, 1979. As it turned out, it was the last of Roger Staubach's comebacks.
Although he is recognized as a run specialist, he had the athletic ability to be unofficially credited with a career total of 60 sacks, which ranks him 9th on the Cowboys all-time sacks list. The NFL didn't start recognizing quarterback sacks as an official stat until 1982, however, the Cowboys have their own records, dating back before the 1982 season.
Cole was a member of the "Zero Club" which prided itself on performing behind the scenes. Their first rule, "Thou Shalt Not Seek Publicity", kept their members (Cole, Blaine Nye and Pat Toomay) out of the limelight.
He scored 4 touchdowns during his career (3 interception returns and 1 fumble return), all coming against the rival Washington Commanders. His 3 interceptions returns for touchdowns, is tied for second in the Cowboys career record book. His last season, he returned an interception for a touchdown against the Commanders on 23 November 1980. When he retired after playing 13 seasons, asked about the 11-year hiatus between his third and fourth NFL touchdowns, he replied: "Anyone can have an off decade".
He retired at the end of the 1980 season, becoming along with D.D. Lewis, the first three-decade players in franchise history. He is one of only eight NFL players who have played in five Super Bowls: (V, VI, X, XII and XIII). Cole helped the Cowboys win 2 Super Bowls and 5 NFC Championships. He played in 26 total playoff games, a record when he retired.
