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Penn State coach James Franklin is only one game away from wrapping up this season. This Saturday, a final clash against Maryland will decide their first-ever college football playoff berth. If you trust history, the Nittany Lions have a clear edge over their age-old rival, as they have only lost to the Terrapins twice during Franklin’s decade-long tenure. The first bump hit back in 2024, and another clogged the Lyons’ glory in 2020. They are coming fresh from a narrow 26-25 victory over Minnesota, but the visionary coach knows that is not something that will help them in the final week against a team with a big 10 win. So, he straightaway had an ‘own it and fix it’ kinda list for the players.

But it’s not always about the players’ individual improvement and achievement on the field; football reaches beyond. To describe the sheer integrity of the sports, the veteran coach spilled an adorable secret of his married life. Cheers to your drawing room quarries!

Behind the poker-faced head coach, there hides a typical family man who is dedicated to keeping his wife sane in the house. Fearing wife is a cliche, but a cliche that perfectly fits the $25 million football mogul behind the gridiron. During a final press conference ahead of the Maryland game, the 52-year-old was asked to give his thoughts on the idea of selflessness as a player’s inbuilt trait. To narrate it better, the coach phenom offhandedly connected it to his antics with his wife.

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”I am going to answer it as I do with my wife a lot of times. She asks me questions, and I just say yes to both, I think, I honestly believe, I think it a little bit of both like obviously if you got a guy and that’s not how it wired, you’re not going to be able to instill that at that stage of their life. In my opinion, it’s got to be a part of who they are and then you build on it right. I do think it’s teachable, but you know it’s got to be a part of your DNA and how you’re raised,” Franklin said in a fleeting flow.

James Franklin is long- married to his wife, Fumi Franklin. The low-key spotlight couple is the proud parents of two daughters, Addison and Shola. Apart from the hilarious confession, their marriage is based on mutual love and immense support. Fumi has been a rock in Franklin’s roller-coaster career. You might have often spotted her shouting out loud in a jersey on a blockbuster event night. But if she reads the article or watches the interview, may god bless James Franklin!

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While feeding the importance of generosity in an outright team game like football, coach Franklin predominantly had one name in his head: Tyler Warren, the star TE of the Nittany Lions.

Tyler Warren has been the epitome of selflessness for the Nittany Lions

Warren has played multiple roles for his team this season. He is equally impressive as a quarterback, running back, tight end, blocking. The way the young rookie appears and delivers his best on the field, you can legitimately hand him a Heisman candidacy and an invitation to New York City. Coach Franklin has already voiced his take on it. Not only did he take a stand for his homeboy, but Minnesota HC P.J. Fleck and insider Adam Breneman also batted for his rising worth in the CFB.

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But guess what? His numbers, stats, and ability to play in multiple positions are just an addition to his greatest qualities, and that is to be a great teammate to his peers. He gave up on his chance to be the top scorer of the nation for the team’s need at the Beaver Stadium. He has constantly been a humble motivational speaker in the locker room.

You can define the teammate spirit in DNA Franklin was talking about, all by Tyler Warren alone!

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