Toronto Argonauts: James Wilder Jr. and James Franklin developing family-like bond
As the Toronto Argonauts prepare for the 2018 season, James Wilder Jr. and James Franklin got a head start on their preparation well before training camp.
It didn’t take long for James Wilder Jr. and James Franklin to get formally acquainted with each other before the Toronto Argonauts opened up for training camp.
A few weeks before players reported to York University, Wilder Jr. saw a post by Franklin on social media with his location tagged. Both exchanged messages when realizing they lived in the same neighbourhood.
This led to Franklin asking Wilder Jr. if he wanted to do some workouts in a nearby field and in that moment an instant bond was formed.
“We were both looking to get some work in and if he never put his location in I would’ve never known,” said Wilder Jr. of the spontaneous training sessions.
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Franklin was acquired by the Argos from the Edmonton Eskimos and the expectation was that he would be the succession plan for when Ricky Ray retires. The 26-year-old signed a two-year deal and is grateful he’s been given a chance to learn and improve under Ray.
"“James is a heck of a player and I never formally met him until we started training together on our own.” Wilder said about his training partner."
The new relationship has taken off on a personal level and probably developed a lot quicker than both might have expected, with them living so close to each other.
"“We have only known each other for three weeks now and have formed that family bond fast,” Wilder Jr. explained about the growing friendship.“During the ring ceremony James and his wife looked after my son, that’s how close it is and that’s how family oriented we are because nobody is going let their kids go to a stranger and he’s calling him nephew and everything.”"
Next: 5 questions for the Argos ahead of the 2018 season
While Franklin is not going to be the starter unless something happens to Ray, the Argos should be excited about what the future holds given the potential both players bring, even if it might be something to wait for down the road. At least when that time comes, there won’t be a need for formal introductions.