French was instrumental in helping the Maroons win the 1925 NFL Championship, before it was stripped from the team due to a rules violation.

He was first sent down to the minor leagues to gain some professional baseball experience, however he was called up that fall and played 6 years with the Athletics as a substitute outfielder and pinch hitter.

He had a .303 career batting average in the majors and made a brief appearance in the 1929 World Series against the Chicago Cubs.

[citation needed] At the start of World War II he went on active duty with the United States Army as a reserve officer.

French suffered a heart attack in 1972, however his health held up and he still kept in shape by playing golf three days a week.