The Blue-White Game isnโt a place where one would expect to see James Franklin exchange words with a Penn State fan but thatโs what happened Saturday afternoon.
Postgame Reaction: Penn State Keeps Blue-White Win Streak Alive
โIโd be happy to talk to you about it,โ Franklin was heard saying in a video posted to X by @t1nkerzz. โIf you want to come talk to me after the game, Iโd be happy to talk to you about it.โ
The Penn State Blue Band was playing while this exchange was going on, so itโs hard to make out everything Franklin said.
At one point, Franklin appears to say โIโd be happy to conversation,โ and at the end of the exchange, Franklin says โhey, happy birthday.โ
So what did the fan say to Franklin?
That part wasnโt captured on the video, but according to the account that posted it, the fan called Franklin a โfraud.โ
NOT THE FIRST TIME
Image courtesy of Seth Engle of State College.Com
This wasnโt the first time Franklin has had words with a Penn State fan. The two most notable incidents happened after losses to Ohio State. In 2018, a fan told Franklin that running the ball on 4th and 5 on the last possession of the game was โa bad call.โ
Franklin sarcastically told the fan โI appreciate your inputโ and was restrained from approaching him.
More recently, after another tough loss to Ohio State this past November, a fan again had words for Franklin, and Franklin responded.
Although itโs hard to make out from the video, recorded by Seth Engle of State College.com, the fan appeared to point out that Penn State drove to the Ohio State red zone three times and came away with a total of three points.
Franklin responded.
โWhatโs your name,โ he asked. โWhatโs your name? If youโre gonna be man enough to talk, whatโs your name?โ
The fan then walked away, and Franklin walked into the tunnel where he received a less-than-warm reception.
Two days later, Franklin stood by how he handled the situation.
โThe interaction, yeah. Iโm really good with it,โ Franklin said. โSomeone screaming at me and my daughter with in a couple feet as weโre walking off the field, and Iโm good with that. That comes with the territory. I asked the young man what his name was. To me, itโs like posting something. If youโre going to post something, post it with a picture, your name and own what you post. If youโre going to say something, own it. I just asked the gentleman what his name was. He started stuttering, backed up, and he didnโt say his name. So critiques and opinions vary and thatโs part of the territory. I get it. I just asked the young man what his name was.โ
THE โFRAUDโ LABEL
Photo by Matt Lynch, Nittany Sports Now: James Franklin
Regardless of whether the report of the fan calling Franklin a โfraudโ is accurate or whether itโs fair for Franklin to be called a โfraud,โ some people do believe that.
Franklin has done everything there is to do in coaching except play for and win a national title.
If he does that this season, the label will be extinct.
Penn State opens the 2025 regular season against Nevada Aug. 30 at Beaver Stadium.
