The list of former players jumping to the defense of James Franklin following a lawsuit involving a former Penn State team doctor continues to grow. This time, it’s a former Nittany Lion superstar getting in on the action.

Former Penn State and current New York Giants running back Saquon Barkley has chimed in on the situation, in which Franklin is named in a lawsuit filed by Dr. Scott A. Lynch. The former team doctor alleges that Franklin pressured him to put players back on the field, despite still being injured.

Barkley shot down that notion, pointing to a personal injury situation in which Franklin demonstrated his care for his players’ health and well-being.

“I personally wanted to get back on the field as fast as I could,” Barkley told NJ.com. “And play as fast as I could. James Franklin was awesome for me. I tried to force it and he just wouldn’t allow me to force it. I sat out the next two weeks and was able to come out and be healthy the rest of the season.

“Coach Franklin’s been nothing but a role model and mentor to me. I feel like he’s part of my family.”

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Lynch was a member of Penn State’s medical staff from 2013 until March 2019. He’s seeking $50,000 in damages from the university.

Earlier this week, former Franklin players Jason Cabinda and Austyn Carta Samuels also jumped to Franklin’s defense, saying the allegations were false.