Former ‘Last Chance U’ star John Franklin III faces suspension after COVID-19 protocol violation
TAMPA, Fla. (BVM) — Former “Last Chance U” star and current NFL free agent John Franklin III has been handed a three-game suspension for his violation of NFL-NFLPA COVID-19 protocols. Current Tampa Bay wide receiver Antonio Brown and safety Mike Edwards have also been suspended for three games alongside Franklin III.
According to the league’s official statement, Franklin III, Brown and Edwards were disciplined after being accused of misrepresenting their vaccination statuses under NFL-NFLPA COVID-19 protocols. The NFLPA represented all three athletes in a joint NFL-NFLPA review of these allegations which were ultimately proven to be true and punishments were upheld.
Both Brown and Edwards have been suspended without pay for their next three games, which include matchups against Atlanta, Buffalo and New Orleans. Due to his free agent status, if Franklin III is picked up by a club, he will also be ineligible to play in the next three games. All suspensions are effective immediately.
Franklin III was featured in the first season of “Last Chance U” that premiered on Netflix in 2016. The show documented the East Mississippi Community College football team and their fight for a fourth JUCO national championship title through their 2015 season. A sophomore at EMCC during the time of filming, Franklin III was the starting quarterback for the Lions and owned a 58.2 completion percentage and threw for 733 yards with seven touchdowns and two interceptions. He also shined in his run game and tallied 451 yards on 43 attempts with nine rushing scores.
His junior year, Franklin III transferred to Auburn and appeared in 12 games with a single start. He held strong with a 53.8 completion rate (14-for-26) and continued to produce on the ground as he rushed for 430 yards on 46 carries and two rushing touchdowns. With his talents clearly in his rushing game, Franklin III transitioned to the wide receiver position in March 2017.
In his final collegiate season, Franklin III made moves again, this time landing at Florida Atlantic. He saw limited playing time but still managed to average 14.3 yards per carry and two touchdowns. Despite his limited play, Franklin III was able to showcase his explosiveness and speed and recorded a 4.40 second 40-yard dash at FAU’s pro day. He went undrafted in the 2018 NFL Draft, but was signed by the Bears as an undrafted free agent after he impressed in their mini camp as a defensive back.
Though he played on-and-off with the Bears’ practice squad, Franklin III failed to gain traction and was waived by Chicago in August 2019. Despite an offer to play in the XFL, Franklin III held out and was signed to the Buccaneers practice squad in November of that same year. He was quickly promoted to the active roster the following month as a wide receiver. He played in one game for the Bucs and recorded one rush attempt for 11 yards. Franklin III subsequently suffered a leg injury in August 2020 and was placed on the injury reserve list for the entire 2020 season. On February 7, 2021 Franklin III won his first Super Bowl with Tampa Bay despite not seeing a single snap that year. This feat made him the first and only “Last Chance U” athlete to win a Super Bowl title. He was waived from the Buccaneers in August 2021.
Prior to his EMCC, Auburn and FAU days, Franklin III redshirted his freshman year at Florida State in 2013 and watched his Seminoles win the 2014 BCS National Championship that season. He was also a member of the ACC champion 4×100 relay team at FSU.
Franklin III is a native of Plantation, Florida and attended South Plantation High School from 2009-13. He helped the Paladins to a 9-2 record and a FHSAA 8A playoff berth in 2012 and was a Brian Piccolo Scholar-Athlete Award winner. Franklin III was a triple-sport athlete in track and field and basketball. He won the state 4×100 relay and notched second place in the 100-meter as a senior, while also lettering in basketball.
