Francis Bernard (American football): Difference between revisions

| name = Francis Bernard

| image = File:Francis Bernard 2020(52735716393) (cropped).jpg

| image_size =

| alt =

| caption = Bernard with the [[DC Defenders]] =in 2023

| current_team = FreeDC AgentDefenders

| number = 43

| position = [[Linebacker]]

| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|mf=yes|1995|04|08}}

| birth_place = [[South Jordan, Utah]], U.S.

| death_date =

| death_place =

| height_ft = 6

| height_in = 1

| weight_lb = 230

| high_school = [[Herriman High School|Herriman]] ([[Herriman, Utah]])

| college = [[Utah Utes football|Utah]]

| undraftedyear = 2020

| pastteams =

| highlights status = Suspended

| statseason statvalue1 = 202110

| statvalue4pfr = 0BernFr01

'''Francis Bernard''' (born April 8, 1995) is an [[American football]] [[linebacker]] whofor isthe currently[[DC aDefenders]] freeof agentthe [[United Football League (2024)|United Football League (UFL)]]. He played college football at [[Brigham Young University]] and the [[University of Utah]].

As a senior, he tallied 96 carries for 822 yards, 15 touchdowns, 24 tackles and 4 interceptions. He received Region 7 and Class 4A honorable-mention All-tatestate honors at running back.<ref name="DCP" /> He committed to [[Brigham Young University]] on December 11, 2012.<ref>{{cite web |title=Francis Bernard, Herriman, All Purpose Back |url=https://247sports.com/Player/Francis-Bernard-19999/high-school-32105/ |website=247Sports |access-date=April 17, 2020}}</ref> He also practiced [[basketball]] and [[Rugby union|rugby]].

Bernard served in a [[Mormon missionary|mission]] for [[Thethe Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints]] in [[Atlanta]] for 2 years.

As a true freshman at BYU in 2015, he was a backup running back and appeared in 10 games. He registered 52 carries for 334 yards (second on the team), a 6.4-yard average, 7 rushing touchdowns (second on the team), 17 receptions for 56 yards and 2 receiving touchdowns.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Allen |first1=Trevor |title=Utes LB Francis Bernard Finds Redemption In Second Chance To Play Football |url=https://kslsports.com/415811/utes-lb-francis-bernard-finds-redemption-in-second-chance-to-play-football/ |website=KSL Sports |access-date=April 17, 2021 |date=August 31, 2019}}</ref>

It was later revealed that he was also facing suspension for violating BYU's honor code.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Coon |first1=John |title=Former BYU LB Francis Bernard cleared to play for Utah |url=https://apnews.com/article/2e5aa10bf44c47bebacc54a7b188c037 |website=Associated Press |access-date=April 17, 2021 |date=August 13, 2018}}</ref> Bernard eventually elected to enroll at [[Rio Salado College]], before transferring in August 2018 to the [[University of Utah]].<ref>{{cite web |last1=Kragthorpe |first1=Kurt |title=Utah linebacker Francis Bernard shaped by the health scares of his fiancee and their baby boy |url=https://www.sltrib.com/sports/utah-utes/2019/08/25/utah-linebacker-francis/ |website=Salt Lake Tribune |access-date=April 17, 2021 |date=August 26, 2019}}</ref> As a junior, he was a part of a linebacking corp that included future [[NFL]] players [[Chase Hansen]] and [[Cody Barton]]. He started 2 out of 12 games in place of an injured Hansen. He collected 38 tackles (5 for loss), one interception and two pass breakups. He had 10 tackles against the [[University of Colorado Boulder|University of Colorado]].

As a senior in 2019, he started 14 games at [[middle linebacker]] and was a part of a stout defense that hadsaw 6 players selected in the [[2020 NFL Draft]]. He recorded 85 tackles (second on the team), 7.5 tackles for loss (tied for fifth on the team) and 2 interceptions. He was named first-team All-Pac-12 and participated in the [[2020 Senior Bowl]].<ref>{{cite web |last1=Kragthorpe |first1=Kurt |title=Utah's Terrell Burgess and Francis Bernard have positioned themselves for NFL careers |url=https://www.sltrib.com/sports/utah-utes/2019/12/16/these-utes-safeties-had/ |website=Salt Lake Tribune |access-date=April 17, 2020 |date=December 17, 2019}}</ref> He had 12 tackles against [[Northern Illinois University]].

| height in = 0⅜0+3/8

| arm span = 31⅞31+7/8

| hand span = 9⅞9+7/8

Bernard was signed as an [[undrafted free agent]] by the [[Dallas Cowboys]] after the [[2020 NFL Draft]] on April 27.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Newman |first1=Josh |title=Cowboys quickly sign Utah linebacker Francis Bernard as free agent after NFL Draft ends |url=https://www.sltrib.com/sports/2020/04/25/cowboys-quickly-sign-utah/ |website=Salt Lake Tribune |access-date=April 26, 2020 |date=April 25, 2020}}</ref> He was waived on September 5, 2020, and signed to the practice squad the next day.<ref>{{cite web|title=Two LBs Among Notable Cowboys Roster Cuts|url=https://www.dallascowboys.com/news/two-lbs-among-notable-cowboys-roster-cuts|author=Helman, David|website=DallasCowboys.com|date=September 5, 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Brandon Carr Among 15 Practice Squad Additions|url=https://www.dallascowboys.com/news/brandon-carr-among-15-practice-squad-additions|author=Phillips, Rob|website=DallasCowboys.com|date=September 6, 2020}}</ref> He was elevated to the active roster on October 3 for the team's week 4 game against the [[Cleveland Browns]], and reverted to the practice squad after the game.<ref>{{cite news |title=Cowboys elevate rookie LB Francis Bernard from practice squad to active roster |url=https://www.dallasnews.com/sports/cowboys/2020/10/03/cowboys-elevate-rookie-lb-francis-bernard-from-practice-squad-to-active-roster/ |website=DallasNews.com |date=October 3, 2020 |access-date=October 21, 2020}}</ref> He was promoted to the active roster on October 10.<ref>{{cite web|title=Cowboys roster move: Anthony Brown returns, Francis Bernard promoted, Tyron Smith and Joe Looney to IR|url=https://www.bloggingtheboys.com/2020/10/10/21510824/cowboys-roster-move-anthony-brown-returns-francis-bernard-promoted-tyron-smith-and-joe-looney-to-ir|work=Blogging the Boys|publisher=SB Nation|date=October 10, 2020}}</ref> He was a backup linebacker, appearing in 13 games, while registering one defensive tackle and making4 [[special 6teams]] tackles.

In 2021, he injured his hamstring on the first practice of training camp and reagravated it during the last week of the preseason. On September 2, 2021, Bernard was placed on injured reserve to start the season.<ref>{{cite web|title=CeeDee's Return Among Several Roster Moves|url=https://www.dallascowboys.com/news/ceedee-s-return-among-several-roster-moves|author=Phillips, Rob|website=DallasCowboys.com|date=September 2, 2021}}</ref> He was activated on November 6.<ref>{{cite web|title=Cowboys roster moves: Blake Jarwin to injured reserve, Francis Bernard activated|url=https://www.bloggingtheboys.com/2021/11/6/22767225/cowboys-roster-moves-blake-jarwin-to-injured-reserve-francis-bernard-activated|work=Blogging the Boys|publisher=SB Nation|date=November 6, 2021}}</ref> He appeared in 8 games as a backup linebacker, making one defensive tackle and 3 [[special teams]] tackles. He wasn't re-signed after the season.

In October 2017, Bernard was cited in alcohol-and traffic-related offenses.<ref>{{cite web |title=BYU: Players cited for alcohol offenses released weeks ago |url=https://apnews.com/b3f2838b4bcd42dbb5506f4e39947005 |website=Associated Press |access-date=April 17, 2020 |date=October 23, 2017}}</ref> Bernard is married with one son,<ref name="DUC" /> and is an active member of the [[Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints]], having served a [[Mission (LDS_ChurchLDS Church)|mission]] in Atlanta.<ref name="DCP">{{cite web |title=NFL Draft & Combine Profile - Francis Bernard |url=https://www.nfl.com/prospects/francis-bernard?id=32194245-5220-6539-849d-8decae5b07fb |website=NFL.com |access-date=April 17, 2020}}</ref>

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