There's been a silver lining in the Lynch lawsuit: It's given an opportunity for players' parents and former players to comment publicly about James Franklin and what kind of man he is.
If you're reading these as I am -- the latest from Adam Breneman a few hours ago -- it's just really reassuring and heart-warming to find out that Franklin isn't just passionate, isn't just a great visionary and communicator, he's completely sincere and his actions are completely aligned with his values. Any suspicions anybody might have had that James was just a slick salesman should be demolished by these comments. Franklin is for real. What you see is what you get.
Last year when the Maryland player died and that program became engulfed in scandal, the comments from players and parents were alarming. You could tell the whole program was run on fear and abuse. I believed Penn State under Franklin would never be like that, would never mistreat players -- and this week's comments just reinforce that belief.
To read Breneman's writing about how Franklin was there for him when he was in so much pain and at the lowest point in his life -- it makes me as proud to be a PSU alum and fan as I am when they win the B1G. We'll find out these next couple of seasons if James Franklin is a really good football coach or one for the ages. But we've already found out that he is a first rate human being, a teacher, friend and role model -- and really that's the most important thing.
Here's Breneman's twitter post if you haven't already seen it:
“I feel compelled to shed some light on my experience with
@coachjfranklin and how he treated me when I was injured for 2 years straight at PSU,” Breneman wrote on Twitter Wednesday.
“That was a tough, difficult time for me but he could not have been more understanding or caring during the entire process.”
Breneman later went on to share his interactions with Franklin throughout his various medical situations.
“We met often, sometimes more than once a week, and he would check in to see how I was feeling and, more importantly, where I was mentally,” he wrote. "Never once did he attempt to pressure me into playing or rush me back. He was adamant that I take as much time as I needed to get healthy.
“I obviously ended up retiring and leaving Penn State, but during some of the darkest points of my career I had a head coach who was supportive and approachable. I’ll always be thankful to him for that.”
