10-04-2019, 10:43 AM
(This post was last modified: 10-07-2019, 09:15 AM by goodvsevil1275.)
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I am using this article series as a way to give back to some (unfortunately not all) of the rookies of the s18 class, who have been so very good to me. Part of that is simply exposure for those whose stories are being told, and part of that is splitting funds with those whose names and words are used herein. That said, I would like to give half of the earnings of this specific article to DeadlyPlayer, who graciously gave me the time for an interview as part of this piece.Previous Piece: Becoming a Luchadore
The final stop of my tour around the DSFL finds me in San Antonio, seated on a worn but surprisingly comfortable couch, an old beagle snoozing beside me, a mug of tea in my hand, the Hallmark channel playing on the television in the background. Across from me, fighting off an energetic golden retriever so he can take a seat in an equally weathered armchair, is one Mike Franchet (@DeadlyPlayer), reigning defensive lineman of the year. Most would have expected this interview to take place in a bar somewhere in the area, and when I first asked him for this interview that was where I had suggested meeting, but Franchet had instead invited me to his home, “I know many people only know my football personality, the wild, alcoholic hype man, but if that's what people were hoping for in my private life, they’ll be slightly disappointed. Football is an entertainment business; you’ve got to give the people what they want”. When I asked him to elaborate on what he’s actually like off the field, Franchet chuckles, “At home, I’m boring, to put it plain. I like to walk Dugg and Abbie when they’re up to it; otherwise, you can find me doing stuff like this; you know, making some nice tea, watching the Hallmark channel. I've also recently begun volunteering in my local community back home, simple stuff like helping at food kitchens or building houses for people. Being such a crazy, high energy person on the field and in the locker room takes its toll, so I like to try and live a peaceful home life and save the energy for the game”.
As Franchet finally wrestles Dugg out of his way and takes his seat, I throw my first question of the day at him: where did this football journey begin? He sinks back into his chair before recanting this part of his story, “My football journey began in a small town, roughly 1324 people, in rural Indiana: Freedom, if you know of it. There wasn't much to do as a kid; you could get to work on the farms, get into drugs, or play school sports. Naturally, my parents pushed me to the third option. My middle school and high school coaches were extremely foundational in keeping me motivated. I was a bigger kid for my age, so they pushed me towards the defensive line, and I always did like making life hard for opponents, so I chose defensive end, and the rest is history, as they would say”. When I turn him towards his college career, he smiles, “College was a coming out party, recorded school records for sacks and QB pressures. But it honestly didn't quite prepare me for this league. Even in the DSFL, the quality of opponents is much higher. College did help immensely in the sense that it got me into a routine: healthy eating, training regime, you know the drill. The thing that separates people who improve from those who stagnate is routine.
When I ask Franchet about his decision to declare for the draft, he crinkles his nose in thought before offering a response, “I really began thinking about declaring the end of my junior season; I had a solid stat line, there was definitely some hype around me. But, I couldn't let my team down. I decided to stay for my senior year, for the team. It clearly helped; I never expected I could go so early in the DSFL Draft. One of the best days in my life”. Upon turning him towards the goings-on of draft day, Franchet closes his eyes as if to envision the story he tells, “Expectations come draft day were, well, about average, I would say. I was watching with my family a home in our living room, just hoping that my name would be called. What none of us expected was to hear my name in the first three rounds of the draft. I was in shock for a good while. My expectations were to go in the middle rounds, and to be taken third round, I was extremely grateful. Never in my wildest dreams could I imagine a better day”. I then ask him about how he feels in San Antonio; he can’t seem to contain his joy as he responds, “I just wanted to come in and make an impact any way possible. No matter what, once I’m on a team, I buy into the culture. But landing in San Antonio was a blessing, everyone was extremely welcoming and helpful right off the bat. I couldn't ask for a better locker room. The Marshals will always be a part of me, forever”.
This brings me to a subject that I quickly find Franchet struggles to discuss: on-field performance. He sighs, almost as if he doesn’t recognize the defensive lineman of the year award that he has perched so carefully next to his television, “Honestly? Hell no, I don’t feel like I accomplished everything I set out to. I failed, and that's on me. I could've done more, I could've tried harder, but I didn’t, and the results showed. I promised myself after our first-round exit in the playoffs, I never wanted to see my teammates faces like that again. I think that loss helped me mature more than any single event in my life, so much heartbreak for our general managers, my teammates, and myself. That night I talked a lot to our captain, and being the seasoned veteran, he got me back on track. I am determined more now than ever before. I will accomplish anything I set my eyes on in the future”. When I point his attention to his recently earned hardware, he laughs softly, “I know, my thoughts on what has happened are improving since that. But, it’s not enough yet”.
At this point, I turn the conversation towards the future; he stops me briefly, “I made the mistake of promising too much a lot last season. I won't promise anything anymore; I’m just letting my results speak for themselves”. I nod in acknowledgement, and ask about his hopes for the draft; “I think the upcoming NSFL draft will look a lot like I expected the DSFL draft to look like for me,” he says, biting his lip. “That said, I have heard through the grapevine that one or two teams are interested in getting me. I obviously won’t be naming names; what I will say is that I welcome any NSFL team who wants to get a great locker room presence, a good teammate, and someone who will hopefully be in the league for a while”. I then turn him towards his goals, carefully pointing out that goals are not the same as promises; he chuckles before giving his answer, “No matter what accolades I earn throughout my career, I would love to have multiple defensive player of the year awards to my name someday”.
This, of course, brings me to my hardest-hitting question: why does a guy like Mike Franchet continue to play this game? What inspires him to keep pushing? He leans back into his chair, deep in thought, and takes a minute or so before replying, “This game is magical. It presents options for youth, and people who otherwise have no other options. You want to be a star? Well, do it. Nothing is holding you back in this league except yourself. That's the one lesson I've taken to heart over my rookie season. I look forward to following that and improving 24/7. That drive, that motivation is what keeps me going”. This prompts me to lean back, scribbling his last few words into my notes, smiling wide, knowing that I, once again, am talking to a future legend of this league.
Thank you, fans, for following me on my journey across the DSFL. Next stop: the next level.
