He was a center and played on special teams for the Philadelphia Eagles from 1976 to 1978 and for the Detroit Lions in 1979.
Franks was recruited by Woody Hayes to attend Ohio State, including three home visits by Hayes, but Franks chose to play football at the University of Michigan for Bo Schembechler.
[4] As a junior, Franks started 5 of 11 games at center for the undefeated 1973 Michigan Wolverines football team.
[5] As a senior, Franks started all 11 games at center for the 1974 Michigan team that began its season with ten consecutive wins before losing to Ohio State by a 12–10 score in the final game of the season.
"[7] While playing football at Michigan, Franks drew press attention for his hobby of figure skating.
"[8] He tried out with the Philadelphia Eagles and Oakland Raiders in 1975, but both teams cut him during training camp.
He admitted that he had participated in a drug ring that had sold cocaine to Philadelphia Eagles football players.
[15] In November 1988, Franks was "spared a prison sentence" and instead was ordered to spend 52 weekends in a community treatment facility, allowing him to continue with his job in Monterey, California, where he had moved.
[16] In 1999, Franks was one of the first group to be inducted into the Bethel Park High School Hall of Fame.