Former Edmonton Elks’ defensive back Marloshawn Franklin Jr. has signed with the Rhein Fire of the European League of Football.
The 27-year-old played eight games for the Elks in 2023, making several starts at safety. He recorded 28 defensive tackles and one interception in his time with the team but was released following training camp this year.
Franklin was previously a member of the Ottawa Redblacks in 2022 and B.C. Lions in 2019, though he never dressed for a regular season game.
The native of Detroit, Mich. returns to Europe after previously playing for the Hamburg Sea Devils in 2021. He made 22 tackles, two interceptions, and two forced fumbles in six games with the team that year, which was the ELF’s inaugural season.
The Rhein Fire are currently 4-1 and looking to repeat as ELF champions following an undefeated season in 2023. Other former CFL players on the roster include safety Tony Anderson (Ottawa), receiver Kelvin McKnight Jr. (Winnipeg), linebackers Lino Schroeter (Calgary) and Emmanuel Falola (Toronto), and defensive linemen Aaron Donkor (Calgary) and Max Parkinson (Saskatchewan).
