Professional Football Player. For four seasons (1981 to 1984), he played at the fullback position in the National Football League with the Miami Dolphins. He attended Anniston High School where he earned a starting spot for their football team and continued his athletic attributes on the collegiate level at the University of Nebraska. While with the Huskers, he lettered four-times and earned First-Team All-Big Eight honors in 1980. He was inducted into the University of Nebraska Athletic Hall of Fame in 1990. Selected by the Miami Dolphins during the 2nd round of the 1981 NFL Draft, he appeared in 42 regular season games. During the 1982 season, Franklin established himself as a key player with the Miami squad who was en route to the AFC Championship Title and an appearance in Super Bowl XVII, resulting in a defeat to the Washington Redskins on January 30th, 1983. Individually, he earned Pro-Bowl honors that year and had the distinction of appearing on the cover of Sports Illustrated in January 1983. His retirement was forced as the result of a career-ending knee injury. In his post football years, Franklin suffered from health ailments and lived out his final years on disability. He died from complications of congestive heart failure at the age of 47.
Professional Football Player. For four seasons (1981 to 1984), he played at the fullback position in the National Football League with the Miami Dolphins. He attended Anniston High School where he earned a starting spot for their football team and continued his athletic attributes on the collegiate level at the University of Nebraska. While with the Huskers, he lettered four-times and earned First-Team All-Big Eight honors in 1980. He was inducted into the University of Nebraska Athletic Hall of Fame in 1990. Selected by the Miami Dolphins during the 2nd round of the 1981 NFL Draft, he appeared in 42 regular season games. During the 1982 season, Franklin established himself as a key player with the Miami squad who was en route to the AFC Championship Title and an appearance in Super Bowl XVII, resulting in a defeat to the Washington Redskins on January 30th, 1983. Individually, he earned Pro-Bowl honors that year and had the distinction of appearing on the cover of Sports Illustrated in January 1983. His retirement was forced as the result of a career-ending knee injury. In his post football years, Franklin suffered from health ailments and lived out his final years on disability. He died from complications of congestive heart failure at the age of 47.
Bio by: C.S.
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