Zaire Franklin announced Wednesday that for every tackle he records during the 2024 NFL season, he will donate $44 to the Midwest Food Bank of Indiana.
Franklin is also partnering with Coca-Cola Consolidated in his effort to combat local hunger, as Coca-Cola Consolidated will match Franklin's donations dollar-for-dollar.
"I'm excited to be teaming up with Coca-Cola Consolidated and the Midwest Food Bank of Indiana this season to take part in the fight against hunger," Franklin said in a press release. "Being involved in the community is always a priority for me, and this is a great way to make an impact both on and off the field."
The seventh-year linebacker set a single-season franchise record with 179 tackles in the 2023 season – breaking his own record of 166 in the 2022 season – and has a total of 409 tackles in six NFL seasons. Franklin is also a five-time team captain (2020-24) and was the Colts Walter Payton Man of the Year nominee in 2023 for his efforts to support local and personal community initiatives.
Franklin also created his own foundation, Shelice's Angels, in his hometown of Philadephia in 2019 in honor of his late mother and grandmother. The foundation, named after his mother, aims to help equip young women pursue professional careers, offering resources and opportunities to build self-esteem and show youth the opportunities outside of their current environments.
While playing college football at Syracuse, Franklin also led a variety of community initiatives as president of his fraternity, Omega Psi Phi, including organizing an event to donate backpacks and school supplies to children in need. He also organized and led a campus-wide discussion to spark conversations about how men can help prevent sexual violence and how athletes can contribute positively to society.
Fans wanting to take part in tackling hunger can donate directly to the Midwest Food Bank of Indiana using the memo code "ZAIRE" at: https://www.midwestfoodbank.org/locations/indianapolis-in/donate-indiana. The taxable donation will be valid for 2025 in conclusion of the 2024 NFL season.
