Faulkinberry played college football as a tackle at Vanderbilt University from 1947 to 1950.

Faulkinberry's tenure brought about the change of Southwestern Louisiana's fight name from the "Bulldogs" to the "Raging Cajuns".

Later on, the University of Southwestern Louisiana trademarked the phrase and, to this day, the sports teams are known as the "Ragin' Cajuns."

Faulkinberry served in the United States Navy during the Korean War.

Faulkinberry died on November 16, 2005, in Lafayette, Louisiana, at the age of 77.