Broncos DE John Franklin-Myers to use My Cause My Cleats to honor grandfather, spread awareness for sarcoma

Thirteen years after John Franklin-Myers’ grandfather Billy Ray Myers passed away due to sarcoma, the wise words from the biggest father figure in his life still ring through the Broncos defensive lineman’s ears.

The message from Billy Ray to Franklin-Myers: Give it your all in everything you do.

Although Billy Ray’s motivational words are as old as time, they served as the driving force to Franklin-Myers becoming a quality defensive player in the NFL.

When the Broncos take on the Browns at home on Monday night, Franklin-Myers will honor the memory of his grandfather. His cleats for My Cause My Cleats weekend will spread awareness for sarcoma, a rare cancer of the bone and connective soft tissue.

“Me getting the opportunity to represent the Sarcoma Foundation of America and my grandpa is something that you know I don’t take lightly,” Franklin-Myers told The Denver Post.

Billy Ray provided Franklin-Myers with hope. When Franklin-Myers was 7, Billy Ray adopted him and his sister, Alexis Myers-Vega, from foster care in California. Billy Ray took them to Texas, providing the siblings stability and an opportunity for a fresh start.

Growing up in the Lone Star state, Franklin-Myers learned the core values of never giving up.

“What stood out the most was the fact that he was willing to do that and help raise us and teach us,” Franklin-Myers told The Post. “That was somebody who showed me what it’s like to be a man and the head of the household.”

In 2011, the most influential figure in Franklin-Myers’ life was taken away from him. Billy Ray went to the doctor one day and was informed that he had sarcoma. Franklin-Myers said when his grandfather received the news, the disease had already taken hold and there wasn’t enough time for him to receive the proper treatment that would have given him a fighting chance.

Billy Ray died in February of that year without seeing Franklin-Myers grow into a college standout at Stephen F. Austin and later selected by the Los Angeles Rams in the fourth round of the 2018 NFL draft.

“(My grandfather) didn’t get that fair chance,” Franklin-Myers said. “They said nothing was wrong with him. Then all of a sudden, he has sarcoma, and it’s too late. You see that and realize the awareness wasn’t there.”

The thought of Billy Ray not having the time to treat his disease inspired Franklin-Myers to use his platform to help others dealing with sarcoma.