News release from Texas A&M Athletics:
WACO – Two-time Texas A&M All-America placekicker Tony Franklin will be inducted into the Southwest Conference Hall of Fame on August 13 at the Texas Sports Hall of Fame.
A bare-foot kicking pioneer, the 5-foot-8 Franklin earned first-team All-America honors in 1976 and 1978 while rewriting the NCAA record book for long-distance placekicking. Franklin, from Big Spring, Texas, established 18 NCAA records during his Texas A&M career from 1975-78. He remains the only player in NCAA history to connect on two 60-yard-plus field goals in the same game when hit 64- and 65-yard three-pointers against Baylor on Oct. 16, 1976 at Kyle Field. He also holds NCAA records for most 60-yard plus field goal attempts in a season and a career and most career FGA from 50-plus yards.
He led the nation in field goals in 1976 when he connected on 17-of-26 attempts (1.55 FGs per game). He still holds Texas A&M school records for longest field goal (65), most 50- and 60-yard FGs attempted and made in a season and career. When he finished his collegiate career, Franklin held school records for career points (291) and most field goals in a single game (5 vs. Rice, 1975), season (17 in 1976) and career (56), as well as PATs in a single game (8 vs. TCU, 1976), season (38) and career (123).
Franklin was honored as a “Sun Bowl Legend” in 2006 on the strength of earning the Sun Bowl MVP honors for his three field goals, including a 62-yard boot, in the Aggies’ 37-14 victory over Florida after the 1976 season. The Football Writers Association of America (FWAA) named Franklin to the third team of its 75th Anniversary FWAA All-America Team in 2015.
Franklin was drafted in the third round of the 1979 NFL Draft by the Philadelphia Eagles. His first pro game on September 2, 1979, Franklin kicked the first barefoot field goal in the history of the NFL. This started the barefoot kickers era of the 1980s and Franklin’s foot became a celebrity of sorts. At the time, Franklin had the fourth longest field goal in NFL history by a rookie with a 59-yarder and was named All-Rookie. He played for the Eagles from 1979 to 1983 before being traded to the New England Patriots. In 1986, he led the NFL in field goals made (32) and scoring (140 points). The same year Franklin was selected to represent the AFC in the Pro Bowl. He played in Super Bowls XV (1981) and XX (1986). Franklin finished his 10 year NFL career with the Miami Dolphins and remains the NFL’s all-time barefoot scoring leader with 872 points.
Franklin was inducted into the Texas A&M Athletics Hall of Fame in 1989 and the Texas Sports Hall of Fame in 2015.