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Franklin Making an Impact
6/9/2023 9:30:00 AM | Football
DURHAM – Duke redshirt senior Ja'Mion Franklin was recently honored by the ACC with the league's Top Six for Service Award.
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The accolade is presented annually to six members of the Duke Athletics community from each conference institution who demonstrate outstanding dedication to community service and outreach programs. Â
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Franklin has been active in several different service opportunities throughout the year. He is consistently volunteering his time to local elementary schools and with the Durham Food Pantry. He has worked diligently with Urban Ministries of Durham, which is the primary point of connection for those who are homeless, hungry or in need. Â
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GoDuke.com sat down with the Ridgely, Md., native for a brief question and answer session.
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GoDuke.com:Â Tell us a little about your childhood?
Ja'Mion Franklin: My family didn't have much growing up as we lived in Section 8 housing. We were working off a single income and at times used the local food bank to help put food on our table.
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GD: When did you find out about your dad's diagnosis?
JF: In high school. He was diagnosed during football season with acute myeloid leukemia, which is a form of cancer that affects the bone marrow. After a few months of testing, we found out that I was a half match, so I made the decision to undergo stem cell transplant surgery in the winter to try and help save his life.
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GD: How difficult was it to process something like that while you were so young?
JF: I was always taught to stay strong no matter your circumstances so that's just what I did. I tried to step up and take care of my sister, Jamyia, while my mom was with my dad at Johns Hopkins Hospital. My grandmother and I used to help get her to and from school, make dinner and help her with homework.
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GD: You had to put your athletic career on hold while you had the surgery, talk us through that process and how hard it must have been?
JF: I didn't look at it like I was losing out on anything, I just wanted to do whatever I could to help my dad. I could have done without the shots I had to give myself leading up to the procedure though. They hurt.
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GD: Lets shift to your football career for a second. You started out at Notre Dame before finally landing here at Duke. Walk us through that.Â
JF: I toyed with even going to college because I didn't know if I needed to start working right away to help my family but after my dad went into remission, we made the decision to continue my path to play football at Notre Dame. I enjoyed my time there but struggled occasionally being so far away from my family. I battled a few injuries my junior year that kind of sidelined me for much of the season as well. I think I just needed to hit the reset button on everything. I wanted to go somewhere a little closer to home that would still give me the opportunity to play at a high level while also pushing me academically and Duke fell right into that category.
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GD: After just one year of being here at Duke your mom was diagnosed with stage 3 breast cancer. Did you ever think 'why us?'
JF: Not really. God doesn't give you things you can't handle so we just stayed strong as a family and came up with a plan. I worked with my coaches and they allowed me to make frequent trips to Maryland to ease the burden on the family by driving my mother to appointments, going grocery shopping, among other things.
Â
GD: Speaking of your coaches. You've known Coach Elko a long time. Can you explain your relationship with him?
JF: Coach Elko recruited me to play football at Notre Dame, so I've known him since high school. Ironically, I didn't played for him until he came to Duke though as he left for Texas A&M prior to me joining the team but I feel like he's been through this journey with me. From our first home visit where I took him to my favorite barber shop to winning the Military Bowl together last year. Everything seems to have come full circle. I was meant to play for him. His intelligence of the game and passion for his players is second to none.
Â
GD: You were recently named to the ACC's Top Six for Service. What does that mean to you?
JF: I'm just glad I'm in a position to be able to offer support and help to organizations because just a few years ago, I was relying on them. We went to food pantries when I was young because we couldn't afford food. Same thing with the Durham Rescue Mission and Urban Ministries of Durham. Not those specific organizations but organizations like those in Maryland. We relied on them sometimes for food, clothes, and other things. I'd be remiss if I didn't mention Be The Match and how powerful an organization like that can be to saving lives. It's just really a full circle moment for me to be giving instead of receiving.
Â
GD: We'll wrap up on this, how have these experiences shaped you into the person you are today?
JF: Sometimes I look back on everything and think 'wow, I've been through a lot' but I'm so lucky to have the family I have. They are all so strong. They make me a better man every day. I also want to mention my fiancé, Amanda. She's been my rock through many of these uphill battles and I'm truly blessed to have her in my life.
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To stay up to date with Blue Devils football, follow the team on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook by searching "DukeFootball".
#GoDuke
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The accolade is presented annually to six members of the Duke Athletics community from each conference institution who demonstrate outstanding dedication to community service and outreach programs. Â
Â
Franklin has been active in several different service opportunities throughout the year. He is consistently volunteering his time to local elementary schools and with the Durham Food Pantry. He has worked diligently with Urban Ministries of Durham, which is the primary point of connection for those who are homeless, hungry or in need. Â
Â
GoDuke.com sat down with the Ridgely, Md., native for a brief question and answer session.
Â
GoDuke.com:Â Tell us a little about your childhood?
Ja'Mion Franklin: My family didn't have much growing up as we lived in Section 8 housing. We were working off a single income and at times used the local food bank to help put food on our table.
Â
GD: When did you find out about your dad's diagnosis?
JF: In high school. He was diagnosed during football season with acute myeloid leukemia, which is a form of cancer that affects the bone marrow. After a few months of testing, we found out that I was a half match, so I made the decision to undergo stem cell transplant surgery in the winter to try and help save his life.
Â
GD: How difficult was it to process something like that while you were so young?
JF: I was always taught to stay strong no matter your circumstances so that's just what I did. I tried to step up and take care of my sister, Jamyia, while my mom was with my dad at Johns Hopkins Hospital. My grandmother and I used to help get her to and from school, make dinner and help her with homework.
Â
GD: You had to put your athletic career on hold while you had the surgery, talk us through that process and how hard it must have been?
JF: I didn't look at it like I was losing out on anything, I just wanted to do whatever I could to help my dad. I could have done without the shots I had to give myself leading up to the procedure though. They hurt.
Â
GD: Lets shift to your football career for a second. You started out at Notre Dame before finally landing here at Duke. Walk us through that.Â
JF: I toyed with even going to college because I didn't know if I needed to start working right away to help my family but after my dad went into remission, we made the decision to continue my path to play football at Notre Dame. I enjoyed my time there but struggled occasionally being so far away from my family. I battled a few injuries my junior year that kind of sidelined me for much of the season as well. I think I just needed to hit the reset button on everything. I wanted to go somewhere a little closer to home that would still give me the opportunity to play at a high level while also pushing me academically and Duke fell right into that category.
Â
GD: After just one year of being here at Duke your mom was diagnosed with stage 3 breast cancer. Did you ever think 'why us?'
JF: Not really. God doesn't give you things you can't handle so we just stayed strong as a family and came up with a plan. I worked with my coaches and they allowed me to make frequent trips to Maryland to ease the burden on the family by driving my mother to appointments, going grocery shopping, among other things.
Â
GD: Speaking of your coaches. You've known Coach Elko a long time. Can you explain your relationship with him?
JF: Coach Elko recruited me to play football at Notre Dame, so I've known him since high school. Ironically, I didn't played for him until he came to Duke though as he left for Texas A&M prior to me joining the team but I feel like he's been through this journey with me. From our first home visit where I took him to my favorite barber shop to winning the Military Bowl together last year. Everything seems to have come full circle. I was meant to play for him. His intelligence of the game and passion for his players is second to none.
Â
GD: You were recently named to the ACC's Top Six for Service. What does that mean to you?
JF: I'm just glad I'm in a position to be able to offer support and help to organizations because just a few years ago, I was relying on them. We went to food pantries when I was young because we couldn't afford food. Same thing with the Durham Rescue Mission and Urban Ministries of Durham. Not those specific organizations but organizations like those in Maryland. We relied on them sometimes for food, clothes, and other things. I'd be remiss if I didn't mention Be The Match and how powerful an organization like that can be to saving lives. It's just really a full circle moment for me to be giving instead of receiving.
Â
GD: We'll wrap up on this, how have these experiences shaped you into the person you are today?
JF: Sometimes I look back on everything and think 'wow, I've been through a lot' but I'm so lucky to have the family I have. They are all so strong. They make me a better man every day. I also want to mention my fiancé, Amanda. She's been my rock through many of these uphill battles and I'm truly blessed to have her in my life.
Â
To stay up to date with Blue Devils football, follow the team on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook by searching "DukeFootball".
#GoDuke
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Players Mentioned
DT
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