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Alton “Red” Franklin, who died Sunday morning, may be remembered by high school football fans in Louisiana for his 11 state championships, 366 wins and his unique ability to develop next-level talent from rural Claiborne Parish.
But after talking with several former players, family members and a coaching associate, it’s evident there was far more to the Hall of Fame coach than a load of victories on football fields across the state.
Services for Franklin are slated for 2 p.m. Saturday at the First Baptist Church in Haynesville.
Jeff Franklin, son
“He was pretty much no nonsense with us boys, but he had to be. It was also very interesting to watch him with his first grandchild, my daughter Macy. I think she had him wrapped around his finger the day she was born. He was such a humble man both on and off the football field. But I guess the greatest thing he taught me was work ethic. He always said others might be smarter or a better coach, but you weren’t going to outwork him. And that has been my goal in life, His work ethic has been my model for my life. And finally, that last statement after every Friday night game − ‘Find yourself a church-house somewhere on Sunday.’”
Demetric Evans, former player
“I would say during my era he was a man of integrity. To coach in one place for 35 years and never recruited other players, never promoted performance enhancing drugs and continued to play the same style of football (running the ball). After every game on Friday nights, he would say, ‘Find yourself in church on Sunday.’ But he also was a teacher and was a deacon − all speak volumes of the man he was.”
More: Here’s why Calvary pitcher Kynzee Anderson committed to Georgia softball
Tracey Jackson, assistant coach
“Red’s gift was not so much the X’s and O’s part of football. He was blessed with the…
Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/article/red-franklin-loved-kids-loved-152801539.html
Author : Shreveport Times | The Times
Publish date : 2025-03-12 15:28:00
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