Andra Franklin

Last updated

Andra Franklin
1986 Jeno's Pizza - 09 - Mark Murphy (Mark Murphy crop).jpg
Franklin (37) in Super Bowl XVII
No. 37
Position: Running back
Personal information
Born:(1959-08-22)August 22, 1959
Anniston, Alabama, U.S.
Died:December 6, 2006(2006-12-06) (aged 47)
Lincoln, Nebraska, U.S.
Height:5 ft 10 in (1.78 m)
Weight:225 lb (102 kg)
Career information
High school: Anniston (AL)
College: Nebraska
NFL Draft: 1981  / Round:  2  / Pick: 56
Career history
Career highlights and awards
Career NFL statistics
Rushing yards:2,232
Average:3.6
Touchdowns:22
Player stats at NFL.com  ·  PFR

Andra Bernard Franklin (August 22, 1959 December 6, 2006) was an American professional football player who was a running back in the National Football League (NFL) from 1981 to 1984 for the Miami Dolphins. Franklin played college football for the Nebraska Cornhuskers; he died at age 47 from heart failure in 2006. [1] [2] [3]

From Anniston, Alabama, Franklin played at Nebraska from 1977 through 1980, [1] [2] rushing for 1,738 yards and ten touchdowns. He was selected in the second round of the 1981 NFL Draft (56th overall) by the Dolphins, and played under head coach Don Shula.

Franklin led the Dolphins in rushing during the strike-shortened 1982 season, third overall in the NFL, with 701 yards in nine games. The Dolphins won the AFC title and met the Washington Redskins in Super Bowl XVII in January 1983 at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, California. He appeared on the cover of Sports Illustrated after Miami's win over the San Diego Chargers in the AFC semifinals. [4]

His playing career was cut short by a knee injury, [3] his last game was on September 9, 1984. [5]

Franklin (middle) rushing the ball in Super Bowl XVII 1986 Jeno's Pizza - 09 - Mark Murphy (cropped).jpg
Franklin (middle) rushing the ball in Super Bowl XVII

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References

  1. 1 2 Hambleton, Ken (December 6, 2006). "Ex-Husker fullback Franklin dies at 47". Lincoln Journal-Star. (Nebraska). Retrieved December 28, 2018.
  2. 1 2 Hambleton, Ken (December 11, 2006). "Remembering Andra Franklin". Lincoln Journal-Star. (Nebraska). Retrieved December 28, 2018.
  3. 1 2 "Former Huskers' standout Andra Franklin is dead at 47". ESPN. Associated Press. December 8, 2006. Retrieved December 28, 2018.
  4. Papanek, John (January 24, 1983). "The Revenge of the Killer Bees". Sports Illustrated. p. 21.
  5. "Dolphins lose Franklin with knee injury". Tuscaloosa News. (Alabama). September 11, 1984. p. 14.