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Keegan-Michael Key Once Replaced James Franklin On His Christmas Card

It’s no secret that Penn State icon Keegan-Michael Key does one heck of a James Franklin impression. But is it enough to fool some of Franklin’s closest family and friends?

In an appearance on the “ManningCast” during Monday Night Football, Key told hosts Peyton Manning and Chad Powers Eli Manning that three years ago he took a photo with Franklin’s family, and the head coach decided to use that photo for the family Christmas card to see if anyone would notice.

“When we were visiting, I took a picture in his yard with his glasses and his wife and his two daughters, and they used the picture of me and his family as their Christmas card to see if anyone would notice,” Key explained with a laugh.

While Key didn’t say whether anyone noticed, we wouldn’t quite blame anyone if they didn’t bat an eye. We guess we know what Franklin is getting asked about at his next media availability.

The conversation sparked when Eli jokingly asked if Key would audition to play Franklin in the Chad Powers TV show one day, saying that he looks just like him and can talk like the head coach.

Not only did Key dress up as Franklin and lead the team out of the tunnel during the 2018 Blue-White Game, but he also surprised the team during a team meeting in 2015 when he was Homecoming’s grand marshal.

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About the Author

Gabe Angieri

After a four-year career with Onward State, Gabe is now a college graduate and off to the real world. He shockingly served as the blog’s managing editor during the 2022-23 school year and covered football for much of his Onward State tenure, including trips to the Outback Bowl and Rose Bowl. For any professional inquiries, please email Gabe at [email protected]. You can still see his bad sports takes on Twitter at @gabeangieri.

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