Beneath the Mask with Brailyn Franklin

Chad Ricardo: Brailyn! Thank you for joining me brother. I want to start off with a simple question about the sport you love. The sport that you are using to open doors for your future. The sport that will be taking you to Happy Valley a year from now. How old were you when you KNEW that you wanted to play football?
Brailyn Franklin: I was 4 years old when I knew I wanted to play football.

Chad Ricardo: 4?!?!? My gosh bruh! I don’t even know if I knew my last name at 4! (Which in actuality is Franklin as well.We may be cousins. Ricardo is my middle name, but let’s just keep that between me and you.) What’s your favorite team in any sport, and who is your favorite athlete?
Brailyn Franklin: My favorite teams are the Cowboys, Saints and Carolina. My favorite athletes are Adrian Peterson, Dez Bryant, Cam Newton, and Brian Dawkins.

Chad Ricardo: I would give you a hard time about having 3 favorite football teams–it’s kinda as though you’re hedging your bets…but when you’re a Cowboys fan, I guess you gotta do what you gotta do, huh? Good looks on that B-Dawk selection. One of the more underrated, if you ask me. You have such a diverse game. You’re a very versatile player, who do you model your on-field self after nowadays?
Brailyn Franklin: I model my game more after Brian Dawkins with a mix of Von Miller…

Chad Ricardo: …You know what, that may seem like an odd mash-up to some, but if they study your tape, they’ll understand! I want to step off the playing field for just a moment. I’m a fan or your twitter handle. What nicknames have you had while growing up?
Brailyn Franklin: My nick names growing up were BeastMode, Dirty Red, Big Boy, pretty-boy, Bubba, Deuce, and Wild thang…

Chad Ricardo: That’s a heck of a list bruh. After you turn 21, I may have to ask how you got a couple of em. Who are the top 5 musical artists on your playlists right now?
Brailyn Franklin: I would say my top 5 musical artist are Kendrick Lamar, J.Cole, Future, UGK, and Boogie.

Chad Ricardo: Does no one list Jay-Z or Kanye anymore? Is it me? Am I getting old?!?!?! Fine. Greatest hip-hop artist of all time and why?
Brailyn Franklin: I’d say to me Kendrick Lamar because I like his style of being a Lyricist and speaking the truth. He’s similar to the group of other lyricist like Tupac, Biggie, Andre 3000, and Eminem.

Chad Ricardo: There we go! Now you’re paying homage to cats from “back in my day” (I’m getting sad just typing that). Hypothetically speaking, if you could go on a date with any celebrity or athlete, who would it be and why?
Brailyn Franklin: Honestly I wouldn’t date any celebrity or athlete because I feel they’d be the same kind of person as me. Lol sorry for the disappointment.

Chad Ricardo: You know what, I actually agree with that philosophy. A lot of relationships that work come from balance. You’re wise beyond your years. We know you got game, but what are Brailyn Franklin’s best traits OFF the football field?
Brailyn Franklin: My best traits off the field would be being goofy and having fun and being a “Big Kid”.I love having fun and making new friends.I’m a people person; I love the people! Interacting with all kinds and participating in community service things.

Chad Ricardo: Continue to combine that kind of positive attitude and good spirit with your athletic prowess and the sky is the limit for you my brother. Never forget how important it is to keep being a good person. Believe it or not, it’ll be your character that keeps you in rooms your talent opened the door for. Last question, who in life is your largest influence? How have they helped shape and mold you into who you are today, and if they’re reading this right now, what do you have to say to them?
Brailyn Franklin: My biggest influence is my Mom. She gave birth to me and has been there for me. My entire life, she has molded me, along with my family, into the person I am today and I am glad to say, who I am today represents her in everything I do because it has been her sacrifice and motivation that has helped me strive to be the best I can be. She’s been there for me, whether I was down or up.To my mother there’s always something that can be done even when it doesn’t need to be done and for every thing she’s done for me, I attempt to show it by taking what I’ve learned and giving it to the world.

Chad Ricardo: I knew you were a special football player–now I know you’re an equally special young man. I’m certain your mother appreciates that. I wish you health, happiness, success and nothing less. Thank you Brailyn!