CFL Winnipeg Blue Bombers

Blue Bombers Extend Contract of Canadian Receiver Arjei Franklin

Published on June 2, 2008 under Canadian Football League (CFL)
Winnipeg Blue Bombers News Release


WINNIPEG, MB - The Winnipeg Blue Bombers football club announced Monday that the organization has extended the contract of non-import receiver Arjei Franklin. The University of Windsor product inked a two-year extension (including an option), keeping Franklin locked up through February, 2010.

Franklin (5-9, 190, DOB: April 25, 1982 in Scarborough, Ontario) has been one of the top Canadian finds for the Blue Bombers since the club selected him in the third round, 19th overall, of the 2006 Canadian college draft. By signing the pact, the Blue Bombers avoid having Franklin become a free agent at the end of this season.

"Arjei has emerged into a real threat for our football team and we are very pleased to have him continue to be part of our franchise," said Blue Bombers general manager Brendan Taman. "Arjei has worked hard to become one of the top Canadian receivers in this league and to have him surrounded by three 1,000-yard receivers will only make him better."

The third-year pro has been a dependable target in a deep Blue Bombers receiving corps through his first two CFL seasons. Despite missing time due to injury, Franklin still hauled in 36 passes for 452 yards through only 10 games last year. He was solid in Winnipeg's 2007 playoff run finishing the post-season with nine catches for 88 yards, including a pair of receptions for 38 yards in last November's Grey Cup.

Franklin appeared in 16 regular season games in 2006 and was the team's nominee for the CFL's rookie of the year award.

"I am definitely happy to be back for the foreseeable future," said Franklin. "Winnipeg has been great. The coaches and the players have been a big help in my development and I am looking forward to helping the team work toward winning a championship."

Prior to his pro career, Franklin was two-time all-Canadian (2004, 2005) and the all-time leading receiver in Lancers history. He earned bachelor of human kinetics and bachelor of education degrees in university and is a teacher in the off-season.

MEDIA NOTE: Franklin and head coach Doug Berry will be made available to the media at approximately noon on Tuesday, following day two of training camp. Franklin's full bio is below.

Blue Bombers training camp continues daily at Canad Inns Stadium with the first practice of each day this week scheduled for 8 a.m. Media availability with players and coaches will be at approximately noon on Tuesday, June 3 and Wednesday, June 4 inclusive. All training camp practices are open to the public.

Season tickets are still available through the Blue Bombers football club offices or by calling 204-784-7448 or going to http://www.bluebombers.com

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Name: ARJEI FRANKLIN

Number: 86

Position: Slotback

Status: Non-import

Height: 5-10 Weight: 185

Born: April 25, 1982 in Scarborough, Ont.

School: Windsor ‘05

Years CFL/WBB: 3/3

Games CFL/WBB: 26/26

Playoffs: 3/3

Grey Cups: 1/1

ACQUIRED: Franklin was the Blue Bombers' top pick in the 2006 CFL College Draft. He was chosen in the third round (19th overall) by the Bombers.

2007 (WPG) - Franklin continued his emergence as one of the top non-import receivers in the CFL. Despite missing time due to injury, Franklin still managed to haul in 36 passes for 452 yards and a 12.6-yard average per catch in 10 regular season games. His 452 yards receiving ranked fourth on the team behind only Terrence Edwards, Derick Armstrong and Milt Stegall. Franklin had another four catches for 20 yards in the Bombers' 24-22 win over the Montreal Alouettes in the CFL East Semi-final and three catches for 30 yards in Winnipeg's 19-9 win over the Toronto Argonauts in the East Final. In the 2007 Grey Cup in Toronto, Franklin had two catches for 38 yards in a losing cause against the Saskatchewan Roughriders.

2006 (WPG) - Franklin appeared in 16 regular season games as a rookie in the CFL. He also appeared in the team's East Semi-final match-up with the Toronto Argonauts at Rogers Centre. Franklin finished the regular season with 16 receptions for 161 yards. He had his most productive outing of the season in the team's regular season finale at B.C. Place when he had three catches for 33 yards against the Lions. Franklin was also a regular on special teams, returning three punts for 25 yards and one kickoff for three yards. Franklin had one catch in the East Semi-final versus the Argos. All of those numbers combined helped Franklin to be named the team's representative as the CFL Outstanding Rookie of the Year.

COLLEGE - Franklin was a CIS First-Team All-Canadian in 2005 and was also honoured as an OUA First-Team All-Star. He is the all time leading receiver in Lancers' history. He graduated as the school's all-time leading receiver for most TDs scored and all-purpose yards. In 2004, he was an All-Canadian slotback and OUA Second-Team All-Star. He was an OUA first-team all-star in 2002.

PERSONAL - Franklin earned a Bachelor of Human Kinetics and a Bachelor of Education from the University of Windsor and teaches in the off-season. He and his wife, Afia, were married this past December.

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