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February 16, 2025

‘Thankful For It’

Arizona to Australia to Germany to Calgary.

Football has taken Marloshawn Franklin Jr. across the globe.

He’s played in front of a crowd of 50 people and stadiums full of 50,000.

No matter where he plays, his love of the game is unwavering and he’s thankful for the journey it’s taken him on.

“Football has done amazing things for me and my family,” said Franklin. “I know when I was younger, it was an outlet for me to showcase my skills and an outlet in a way for me to develop discipline.

“It has allowed me to travel, it’s allowed me to build relationships with people, it’s allowed me to further my businesses. I’ve been lucky enough to be a part of four CFL teams, and two teams in Europe as well, so one thing I’ll look back at is the relationships and the communities that I’ve built for myself. I’m thankful for it.”

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The Detroit native’s journey began at Chandler High School in Arizona before he eventually attended Mesa Community College. He has recently been inducted into both programs’ hall of fames.

After two seasons with the Thunderbirds at Mesa, Franklin headed west to play for the California Golden Bears where he’d find himself suiting up for his first taste of Division I action in Sydney, Australia, to play against Hawaii in the College Football Sydney Cup.

Following his collegiate career, Franklin headed north for his first stint in the CFL with the BC Lions in 2019. Due to the cancelled CFL season in 2020, Franklin took his talents to the European League of Football where he became a member of the Hamburg Sea Devils and recorded 22 tackles, two interceptions and two forced fumbles in six games.

After a year in Germany, Franklin returned to Canada and spent time with the Ottawa Redblacks and Edmonton Elks (2022-23). Then, the devoted defensive back went back to Europe to play for the ELF’s Rhein Fire, helping the team win a championship in the process.

“I definitely had a great time in Dusseldorf,” he said. “I was a guy that came in mid-season, was able to help them win back-to-back championships.

“I enjoyed learning German for the second time and since I was also part of the league in 2021 in their inaugural season, (I enjoyed) seeing the maturation of the league and (watching) it grow from eight teams to 16 teams in nine different countries.”

Now, the ELF champion returns to the CFL for a third time as a member of the Stampeders and is keen to bring his love of the game to Calgary.

“I’m excited,” said the 28-year-old. “I know previously being with the Elks, there’s a natural rivalry between the two, but I’m definitely excited to be part of (Calgary) and add some value to the organization.

“I know last year wasn’t ideally what the Stampeders are known for – they’ve had a lot of success in the past and I’m looking to build and be part of it.

“To win two different championships in two different countries might be history. I don’t think any other person has won a (ELF) championship has also won a Grey Cup. That’s definitely at the forefront (of my mind) – bringing a championship to the Stampeders and contributing to a Grey Cup is one of my goals that I’m working hard towards and being able to be a puzzle piece to a championship team.”