My Encounter With Andra Franklin

2 comments so far December 12, 2006 by Steve Hanway

As most Nebraskans have heard the sad news, Andra Franklin passed away of natural causes while still in his late forties. I wasn't old enough to remember Andra's playing days at Nebraska, but I do remember him as a Miami Dolphin. In fact, he appeared in what many consider the greatest football game ever played. It was a 41-38 playoff victory by the Dolphins in overtime over the San Diego Chargers. In many ways, that's the single game that made me fall in love with football. It's hard to remember a more exciting game that didn't involve teams I rooted for.

Fast forward a few years to the mid-eighties.. Andra had retired from pro football and was living in Lincoln. A friend of mine found out that he was living not far from our house and wanted to meet him. We were both about 15 at the time. My friend had an addiction to Mountain Dew and candy bars and as such was fairly overweight. When we went to Franklin's house, Andra stayed on the porch and talked with us for a while. I can't say I'd do the same if some random 15 year-olds showed up on my doorstep.

He was kind and patient and even offered to help my friend train to get in shape (I don't remember whether money would have been involved, in any case my friend never took him up on the offer). I probably asked for an autograph (even though I didn't have a pen or paper) and Andra went in the house and came out with a worn NFL football card with his picture on it. He signed his name and gave it to me. I've moved several times since then and think I still have it in a box somewhere. It's the only signed piece of sports memorabilia I've ever owned.

I can't pretend to have known the man that Andra became, but in my one meeting on his doorstep I can only say he was nicer than he had any reason to be or my friend and I had any right to expect. They say character is who you are when no one is watching. With no one of any importance watching, Andra showed a lot of character in deciding to make our day instead of telling us to get lost. That's how I'll always remember Andra Franklin.

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