Indianapolis Colts Linebacker Zaire Franklin is coming off the most decorated season of his seven-year career. He won his first Pro Bowl. He earned his first All-Pro (second team) nod. However, despite leading the NFL in tackles, it’s what those 173 tackles allowed Franklin to do off the field that gave rise to another significant source of pride.
Franklin took X Tuesday to announce that, through its partnership with Coca-Cola Consolidated, they were able to donate $16,000 to the Midwest Foodbank of Indiana. Before the season, Franklin pledged $44 (his jersey number) for every tackle accumulated during the season.
Happy to announce that our first
The “Fight against hunger” campaign was a success!
Thank you to our partners @CokeCCBCC with their help, we were able to donate $16,000 to the Midwest Foodbank of Indiana to combat food insecurity. Thanks to all the fans who supported! #ForTheShoe pic.twitter.com/N0VulIm2MV
– Zaire Franklin (@ZiggySmalls_) January 14, 2025
Franklin posted on X:
“Happy to announce that our first “Fight Hunger” campaign was a success! Thank you to our partners [Coca-Cola] with their help, we were able to donate $16,000 to the Midwest Foodbank of Indiana to combat food insecurity. Thanks to all the fans who supported us!”
In his third year as MIKE’s starting linebacker for the Colts, Franklin once again ranked in the top three in Colts franchise history for tackles in a single season. He broke the record in 2022 with 167 tackles, broke his own record again in 2023 with 179 tackles, then recorded the second record in 2024 with his 173 takedowns.
In addition to his league-leading tackle numbers, Franklin notched 11 tackles for loss, 6 assists and new career highs in sacks (3.5), forced fumbles (5) and interceptions (2). .
The donation to the Midwest Foodbank of Indiana is the latest philanthropic effort by Franklin, who was named the Colts’ Walter Payton Man of the Year in 2023 in recognition of the impact of his organization, Shelice’s Angels.
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