Topics

More

James Franklin and Recruits Photobomb Penn State Wedding Picture

The photo you see above was provided to us by guest Sean Shapiro of recently-married Ian and Beth Rickenbach’s wedding. It’s been getting some play on social media, and, yes, it does depict James Franklin and several recruits photobombing a wedding picture.

Here’s the story behind it:

Ian and Beth got married at the Arboretum this past weekend and held their reception at Beaver Stadium, as many Penn State weddings do. After the couple stepped outside to get their Beaver Stadium wedding photos, they noticed Franklin and the recruits and commits on the field below. They notified the rest of the reception, full of Penn Staters, and it was outside in no time.

“It was already an amazing day,” Beth said. “Seeing James Franklin and the players made it that much better.”

There were at least 50 people in the wedding reception group, said Sean Shapiro, who took the photo. As Penn Staters are wont to do, the reception began a “We Are” chant with the recruits that went back and forth for some time.

“We just saw them taking pictures, they saw coach Franklin and that just set it off,” said offensive line commit Steven Gonzalez in this PennLive article. “They were like ‘we are’…and then we shouted back Penn State and it just kept going. It was pretty funny.”

Everyone, of course, was taking pictures at this point. So the group on the field decided to run over to the south endzone and give them a photo they’d never forget.

“They literally ran all the way to the endzone to come over to us, and they went, ‘one, two, three, photobomb!'” Shapiro said. “Everyone was taking pictures so it was really cool. The recruits gave everyone a feel-good, school spirit kind of feeling.”

The guy in the middle of the photo with the white shirt is indeed Franklin. And that day, Penn State notched a commitment from New Jersey linebacker Manny Bowen, who was one of Franklin’s visitors.

“Afterward, everyone was joking that Ian and Beth should be on the recruiting team,” Shapiro said.

This makes two cool stories to emerge from Penn State weddings this summer.

Your ad blocker is on.

Please choose an option below.

Sign up for our e-mail newsletter:
OR
Support quality journalism:
Purchase a Subscription!

About the Author

Tim Gilbert

Former managing editor and staff writer.

Gavin McKenna Facing Felony Charge After Incident On January 31

McKenna faces up to 20 years in prison if found guilty.

General Manager Derek Hoodjer Leading Penn State Football Into A New Era Of College Football

Hoodjer played a key role in shaping Penn State’s roster through the transfer portal and NIL.

Penn State Football Offensive Coordinator Taylor Mouser Reflects On First Two Months With ‘Dream Job’

Mouser is also focused on building a competitive culture in Penn State’s revamped tight end room.

113kFollowers
67.7kFollowers
4,570Subscribers
Sign up for our Newsletter
Other posts by Tim

Penn State’s New Academic Mark Is Just Awful

My brain is not able to understand how a team of people supposedly proficient in this industry gathered, looked at this new mark, and said, “Yes, this will do!”

Penn State Hoops To Host DePaul In Inaugural Gavitt Tipoff

James Franklin To Throw First Pitch At Yankee Stadium On April 28