Denver, CO
Denver Broncos’ Troy Franklin Switches Back to Oregon Ducks Jersey Number
Former Oregon Ducks wide receiver Troy Franklin is bringing some college nostalgia to his second season in the NFL with the Denver Broncos.
Franklin announced on social media Thursday that he’s changing jersey numbers, going from No. 16 to the No. 11 he wore when he was with the Ducks. The Broncos selected him in fourth round of the 2024 NFL Draft, pairing him with fellow rookie and Oregon teammate, quarterback Bo Nix.
As a rookie, Nix led the Broncos to their first playoff appearance since winning the Super Bowl in 2015.
Franklin fought through some early-season struggles but ended up carving out a role depth role in the receiving room. He even caught a touchdown pass in Denver’s AFC Wild Card loss to the Buffalo Bills, which allowed him to finish 2024 with 30 catches for 317 yards and three touchdowns (including postseason).
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During his last season at Oregon, Franklin was the No. 1 receiver for Nix, who ended up being Heisman finalist, in an elite Ducks passing offense. After finishing with a combined 1,100 receiving yards during his first two seasons, Franklin burst onto the scene in 2023, totaling 81 catches for a team-high 1,383 receiving yards and 14 touchdowns. He had eight 100-yard receiving games across 13 contests.
However, that chemsity with Nix didn’t translate easily during their rookie season together. Nix said in November he felt that he and Franklin were “overthinking it.”
“I think with me and him right now, it’s just a level of overthinking it a little bit I think,” Nix said in November. “The pressure and the ambition of, ‘We’ve already done it. We have to do it again. It should be easy for us.’ That’s not the case. … I’m also not going to make excuses. We have to hit them when they’re open. We practice well. We do a good job of making sure we get the reps in practice, and I think it’s only a matter of time before the explosives and the big ones are being hit again.”
Oregon head coach Dan Lanning had some strong words in support of Franklin after the receiver faced some criticisms following his selection in the NFL Draft.
“I heard so many things about the guy doesn’t love football,’’ Lanning said to the Denver Gazette. “I mean, the guy practices his tail off like football was what he was made for. That’s what he does. He’s an extremely intelligent player who is very smart and works hard to be really good. … The Broncos got a steal there. That’s a great pick for them. He’s going to run his routes hard every single rep regardless of whether the ball is thrown to him or away from him. He’s going to block. He’s got all the traits you want on the football field. He’s a great teammate.”
Franklin will now head into his second season looking to build on what he did in 2024. The Broncos will be expected to make a run back to the playoffs.
Denver, CO
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The University of Denver will close the Ricks Center for Gifted Children next year as enrollment has fallen in recent years, the college announced this week.
The Ricks Center, which serves gifted children as young as 3 years old, will operate for the 2026-27 academic year before closing, according to a letter DU sent parents on Wednesday.
“The University of Denver has made the difficult decision to close the Ricks Center for Gifted Children at the conclusion of the 2026–2027 academic year,” spokesman Jon Stone said in a statement. “This decision reflects long-term operational and financial considerations and is not a reflection of the school’s quality, leadership, or community.”
The center, which is located on DU’s campus, was started in 1984 as the University Center for Gifted Young Children. The program offers classes to students in preschool through eighth grade, according to the website.
The program, along with other public K-12 schools in the state, has experienced declining enrollment in recent years. The center enrolled 142 students for the 2025-26 academic year, which is down from 200 pupils four years ago.
The center will hold a meeting about the pending closure on March 6 for parents.
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David Fountaine Black
OBITUARY
Dave and Martha and their three boys moved to Denver in 1974 when Dave started work at the Rocky Mountain Arsenal. He and a business partner later purchased Mid-America Plating Company. Dave operated Mid-America for 36 years and finally retired in 2018.
He was a great golfer and natural athlete. Dave was an avid runner, and for many years, he woke up before the sun to get his miles in before work. He and Martha loved playing bridge with friends, gardening – growing fruit and flowers – and spending time outside relaxing and walking on the High Line Canal Trail and in Bible Park. Dave and Martha enjoyed getting back to Arizona during the winter at their Tucson home. They loved spending time with their family.
Dave passed away on February 20, 2026. He is loved by family and friends and will be missed. Dave was a hard-working, kind, optimistic, and thoughtful person who leaves the world a better place. He is survived by his wife, Martha, and his three sons, Dave (Robin), Tom (Debbie), Eric (Kendra), as well as six grandchildren and three great grandchildren, Casey (Nicole), Jake (Ashleigh and great granddaughter Faye), Hailey (Robby and great granddaughter Jensen), Keenan (Nicole and great granddaughter Olivia), Griffin, and Addie (Erik).
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