“I wouldn’t necessarily say I’m good,” Franklin said when asked how he was feeling. “All things considered, again blessed and good, but saying that I’m good is probably not an honest answer.”
That is pulled from Dustin Schutte’s article on SaturdayTradition.com, which highlights some of the struggles James Franklin, the head football coach for Penn State, is currently going through right now.
Like Nebraska, Penn State is winless.
I am guilty of this as well but sometimes we are so blindly focused on what is in front of us that we forget what other people are going through. We have been hyper critical of the state of the Nebraska football program since the loss to Northwestern last week.
At times I thought it felt like some Nebraska fans were hyperventilating over the poor play of Nebraska. There has to be some of that going on in Happy Valley, PA as well. We have wonderful (genuinely) twitter accounts focused on Nebraska football that parse Nebraska play-calling or play execution down to certain angles.
I assume some of that is going on in Happy Valley as well.
Then I learn that James Franklin hasn’t seen his wife or two daughters in six months.
I have three children and one more on the way (hopefully). After writing this article I am going to go pick my son up to drop him off at swimming lessons. Then we will probably pick up some Chick-fil-A on the way home because he loves those chicken sandwiches. I’ll probably grab Chipotle.
Then when we get home I’ll get to see my two daughters and my wife. On Thursdays we usually clean and then relax and watch a movie or play UNO Attack. Then when it’s time for bed for the girls we get to say our prayers as a family and ask a few saints to pray for us. Then my son gets to stay up for another hour and we usually hang out. He might ask to play a little Rocket League or he’ll read some books. He’ll go to bed and if my wife is still awake we might hang out and watch some tv or talk a bit before she goes to bed.
Then at some point it’s my turn. I will check on the kids in their rooms. Then I make sure the doors are locked and the lights are off before I lay down to sleep.
James Franklin hasn’t seen his family in six months.
He is not alone when it comes to struggling during this pandemic. Depression, suicide, missed doctor visits, stress and any number of other negative factors have greatly increased since this virus showed up.
Some may want to say “James Franklin is making millions of dollars. He has chosen to stay away from his family. He hasn’t gone through what I’ve gone through.” This may be true.
However, instead of choosing to take that view you could choose empathy instead.
Personally, I generally view the head coaches of the teams Nebraska is facing like the bad/evil characters in movies. They are terrible people. They’ve probably done terrible things. They probably cheat. They must be defeated.
Franklin gave me tremendous perspective when I learned how long it has been without seeing his family. As a father, I hope he can see his family very soon.
With that said, I also hope he loses by 50 on Saturday.
Veteran’s Day
Speaking of sacrifices and going months without seeing your family I would like to wish our Veterans a belated Veterans day.
SPORTS! SPORTS! SPORTS!
Iowa State commit Howard Brown stars as 310-pound high school QB
As a middle school kid playing Pop Warner football, Howard Brown was two pounds from exceeding the 135-pound weight limit. But he could play and even carry the ball as a runner — something that had been forbidden in the past because of his size.
Field storming results in no positives for Notre Dame football team
Notre Dame fans raised their hands over their heads as their Fighting Irish secured a double overtime victory over No. 1 Clemson on Saturday night, then quickly lowered their hands to cover their eyes over what they saw after.
Students, lots of them, all over the field.
Nebraska WR commit Kamonte Grimes receives All American jersey
Naples (Fla.) Palmetto Ridge athlete and Nebraska receiver commit Kamonte Grimes is part of the 2020 All-American Bowl roster. He was awarded his jersey as part of the experience this week. Grimes celebrated the honor with his family.
“It’s really special because it’s something I’ve worked for since I was a little kid,” Grimes told 247Sports. “Growing up I’ve watched the All-American Bowl and that was the goal for me growing up.”
Husker Hoops announces pair of signings
Nebraska basketball announced a pair of signings on Wednesday — the first day of the early signing period.
Kearney Catholic Preparing for C1 Semifinal Rematch with Adams Central | Hail Varsity – Nebraska Football, Recruiting, News
Kearney Catholic head coach Rashawn Harvey doesn’t much care for rematches on the football field.
Seeing someone twice in a season gives the winner of the first game a mental advantage, he thinks, because you got proof of concept the first time. Your stuff won the day.
Frost mum on starting quarterback identity
Not surprisingly, Nebraska head coach Scott Frost didn’t divulge the identity of his starting quarterback in his Thursday comments to the media on Thursday.
Junior Adrian Martinez and redshirt freshman Luke McCaffrey have been battling in practice this week for the right to start Saturday against Penn State. Frost said that after a week of practice, he feels comfortable with either under center.
Quick Hits from Frost: Skilled player updates and QB mystery
Husker football coach Scott Frost offered his final public thoughts on Thursday before his Husker team competes against Penn State.
Here’s a quick rundown of what was said during the Zoom call. And, no, there was “not much” he planned to offer about Nebraska’s starting quarterback decision involving Luke McCaffrey and Adrian Martinez.
James Franklin’s family situation should serve as a reminder not to judge CFB coaches too harshly in 2020
James Franklin didn’t put on a front when he spoke with reporters during his weekly press conference Tuesday. His honesty and openness about his personal life is something many in that position would not be comfortable sharing.
Frost on the cubes, possibilities for Wan’Dale, laps for errors
Scott Frost said his team has “rallied well” to compete this week at practice after what could have been a dispiriting loss, with an occasional extra lap around the field finding Huskers who error. In the search for a momentum-turning win, lacking in the small things must have consequences.
“STICK TO SPORTS!” Nah.
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