Seven years after retiring from the NFL, former Denver Broncos offensive lineman Orlando Franklin has graduated from the University of Miami.
“I started a journey almost 19 years ago,” Franklin wrote on his Twitter/X page. “Today, it finally comes to an end. I graduated from the University of Miami College of Arts and Sciences this morning. A degree that no one will ever be able to take from me. I faced tough times and thought I would never make it, heck, four years ago I had no intentions of ever graduating. But after a long talk with my wife Kiaana, and her encouraging words, we decided to make a plan and stick with it. She is the tide that raises all boats; I’m forever grateful for that. It’s wild, I started this process many years before I met her, but I’m completing it solely because of her. Thank you, Kiaana. This paper may say my name, but it’s our degree and accomplishment.
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“Thank you to you and our two beautiful and amazing boys. I love you guys, and everything is possible with you three in my corner. To all my friends and family, thank you as well. Your love and support are always greatly appreciated. And lastly to all the haters, the people that said I would never be anything, the teachers that called me dumb and said that I wasn’t going to amount to anything in life, IT WILL ALWAYS AND FOREVER BE A U THING, I’M A MIAMI HURRICAIN UNTIL THE DAY I DIE, I EARNED THIS PEICE OF PAPER AND THERE’S NOTHING YOU’LL EVER BE ABLE TO DO ABOUT IT. #THEU.”
Franklin, 37, was picked by the Broncos in the second round of the 2011 NFL draft. He spent the first four years of his career in Denver before later playing for San Diego, New Orleans, and Washington. The former lineman lost 90 pounds after retirement and his body transformation went viral on social media. Franklin is now a proud graduate of The U.
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This article originally appeared on Broncos Wire: NFL: Ex-Broncos OL Orlando Franklin graduates 7 years after retirement