December 1st 2024.
Thirteen years have passed since John Franklin-Myers lost his grandfather, Billy Ray Myers, to sarcoma. Despite the time that has passed, the wise words of his biggest father figure still echo in his mind. Billy Ray's message to Franklin-Myers was simple yet powerful: give your all in everything you do. These words have stuck with Franklin-Myers and have served as the driving force behind his success as a defensive player in the NFL.
As the Denver Broncos prepare to take on the Cleveland Browns on Monday night, Franklin-Myers will be honoring his grandfather's memory. He will be wearing custom cleats for the My Cause My Cleats weekend, which will raise awareness for sarcoma, a rare cancer that affects the bone and connective soft tissue. This cause is close to Franklin-Myers' heart, as it not only honors his grandfather, but also spreads awareness for a disease that took someone so important from his life.
In a recent interview with The Denver Post, Franklin-Myers shared his thoughts on representing the Sarcoma Foundation of America and his beloved grandfather. He expressed how much this opportunity means to him and how he does not take it lightly. It is clear that Billy Ray was a significant figure in Franklin-Myers' life, providing him with hope and stability when he and his sister were adopted from foster care at a young age.
Growing up in Texas, Franklin-Myers learned the core values of perseverance and determination from his grandfather. He was grateful for the opportunity Billy Ray gave him and his sister to start fresh in a stable and loving environment. Billy Ray showed him what it means to be a man and the head of a household, and those lessons have stayed with Franklin-Myers throughout his life.
Unfortunately, in 2011, Billy Ray was diagnosed with sarcoma. It was a devastating blow for Franklin-Myers, who lost the most influential figure in his life. He recalls how his grandfather did not have enough time to receive proper treatment and ultimately passed away without seeing Franklin-Myers become a standout college player and later get drafted into the NFL. This experience opened Franklin-Myers' eyes to the importance of raising awareness for sarcoma, as he believes that if there had been more awareness, his grandfather may have had a fighting chance against the disease.
Since entering the league, Franklin-Myers has been a strong advocate for the Sarcoma Foundation of America through the My Cause My Cleats campaign. He has also used his on-field performance to contribute to the cause, donating $1,000 for every sack and $25 for every tackle this season. And on Monday night, he will proudly wear his customized dandy lion yellow cleats with the Sarcoma Foundation of America's logo as a tribute to his grandfather and to spread awareness for this rare cancer.
Franklin-Myers' dedication to this cause has not gone unnoticed, as he was named a Sarcoma Foundation of America Ambassador in 2022. He believes that using his platform to raise awareness is something he cannot pass up, and he hopes that his actions will inspire others to do the same. As he takes the field on Monday night, Franklin-Myers will have his grandfather's memory and the fight against sarcoma in his heart. And for him, that is the most meaningful way to honor his beloved grandfather and make a difference in the world.
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