BREAKING: $5.25 million verdict for fired football doctor a loss for James Franklin

One of Penn State’s most prized running backs in history radiated warmth as he talked glowingly of his “family”-like relationship with Nittany Lions head coach James Franklin.

Giants-turned-Eagles running back Saquon Barkley took the witness stand for the defense in a fired Penn State football doctor’s civil trial. The running back didn’t have a bad word to say about Franklin, despite the coach being painted at trial as attempting to interfere with medical decisions on injured players.

“I know how great a guy Coach Franklin is. I know how much impact he’s had in my life,” Barkley testified via video conference in Dauphin County Court on Wednesday.

The sensational Penn State running back from 2015-18 seasons appeared for the defense in the lawsuit brought by Dr. Scott Lynch, who was ousted as orthopedic consultant to the football team and medical director for Penn State Athletics in March, 2019.

Lynch claims he was terminated because he refused to “allow a coach to interfere with his medical treatment and return to play decisions,” referring to Franklin, who took over in 2014.

But when Barkley suffered a high-ankle sprain during his high-impact freshman year, the running back said he felt no pressure from Franklin. Rather, Saquon testified he put all the pressure on himself to return to the field.

“He never said play through the pain,” the No. 2 overall player in the 2018 NFL draft said. “I was so focused on myself, trying to rehab to get back on the football field. When you’re a competitor and you play the game you love, you want to get back out there.”

After his injury in the San Diego State game, Barkley was told his high-ankle sprain could take anywhere from two to six weeks to heal. He was ruled out for the upcoming Army game, but his status for the next game, versus Indiana, was on the bubble.

“I wanted to play. I was trying to get back,” Barkley testified, adding that it was “crazy to think” his freshman year was now 10 years in the past.

Penn State football’s medical staff, then headed by Lynch, ended up ruling Barkley out for a second game.

Barkley recalled the emotional moment this way from the witness stand: “They were going to sit me down another week. I cried. I felt I could have played. I guess we made a decision to be smart and sit another week.”

Under questioning by Lynch’s lawyer, Barkley said he was not in a position to witness any of the conversations among Franklin, Lynch and the rest of the training and medical staff about the running back’s ankle injury and the decision to rule him out for a second straight game. In prior testimony, Lynch, another team doctor and the then-head trainer described Franklin as “angry” and bucking for Barkley’s return.

“Did I agree with the decision? No,” Barkley testified. “I put my trust in them. I had a lot of great people who put my interests first. Sometimes you have to protect the player from himself.”

After his two-game injury hiatus, Barkley logged a stellar game against then the No. 1-ranked Ohio State Buckeyes, racking up 194 yards on 26 carries.

It was then the freshman realized reaching the NFL wasn’t just a childhood dream.

“That’s when my dream became more of a reality,” Barkley testified.

Apart from the ankle injury, Barkley said his “best” story about Franklin was how the coach reacted when the star running back told him he was pondering a move to the NFL after just his third season at Penn State.

Barkley described himself to the jury as being torn by this pivotal moment in his football life. On one side, there was the life-changing money that being a top pick in the NFL could provide his family. On the other was the pull of unfinished business at Penn State – namely winning the Heisman Trophy and a National Championship.

But when Barkley went to Franklin and confessed that he was thinking about returning for a fourth season, the head coach wouldn’t hear of it.

“I had a real conversation with myself about coming back,” Barkley testified. “Coach Franklin definitely encouraged me to go chase my dream and play in the NFL. He pushed on to me to leave college.”

All these years later, Barkley seemed to marvel at what he saw as the selflessness of Franklin’s advice.

“Your star player is willing to come back, and your coach who is all about winning tells you to ‘do what’s best for your and take care of you family’. That’s one of the best stories. It shows who Coach Franklin is.”

Under questioning by Lynch’s lawyer, Steven Marino, Barkley said Franklin texted him about testifying for the defense in the case.

“Lawyers would like to know if you would speak on my behalf?” Barkley said the coach asked him.

“I said, ‘yeah, I’m down’,” the running back added.

Asked if he was “indebted” to Franklin, Barkley shot back: “I don’t feel indebted to nobody except my mom and dad.”

Marino raised Barkley’s initial commitment to play at Rutgers, only to switch to Penn State after Franklin’s full-court press to recruit the running back.

“Committing to Rutgers was a promise. Coach Franklin asked you to break that promise,” Marino pressed.

“No, actually, he recruited me,” Barkley answered, indicating he hadn’t yet signed a letter of intent.

“Coach Franklin persuaded you to change your mind,” Marino stated. Barkley agreed.

Lynch maintains he reported Franklin’s interference to Penn State Athletics and Penn State Health, including his immediate supervisor there, Dr. Kevin Black, who’s also being sued by Lynch. He is seeking both compensatory and punitive damages in the case. Franklin and Penn State Athletics were dropped from the lawsuit over a filing technicality.

The trail is expected to continue through Wednesday, as the defense wraps up its case.

If you believe you were wrongfully terminated, retaliated against for reporting misconduct, discriminated against, or fired in violation of Pennsylvania or federal employment laws, Marino Associates is prepared to help. Our attorneys investigate wrongful termination, retaliation, whistleblower, discrimination, and employment law claims throughout Pennsylvania. Contact us today for a free case evaluation by calling (215) 462-3200 or completing our online contact form to discuss your legal options with an experienced employment lawyer.