Former Colts All-Pro Zaire Franklin talks trade, love for Indy at charity event

Indianapolis — Eight years of memories, tackles, and community work came full circle Friday afternoon when Zaire Franklin returned to the city he still calls home. Speaking at the Lilly Boys & Girls Club during his annual Tackles for Hunger charity event, the former Indianapolis Colts linebacker addressed the recent trade that sent him to the Green Bay Packers and reiterated that his bond with Indianapolis remains unbreakable.

“It’s all love,” Franklin told the small gathering of club staff, young athletes, and local media. The sentiment served as both a greeting and a summary of his feelings after learning the Colts had agreed to move him following eight seasons that included an All-Pro nod and a reputation as one of the franchise’s most active community ambassadors.

While Franklin did not delve into the specifics of the trade discussions, he emphasized gratitude for the organization that drafted him and for the fans who supported him from day one. “After eight years with the Colts, Franklin is grateful for his time with the Colts,” a club spokesperson reiterated, underscoring that the linebacker’s appreciation extends well beyond the playing field.

Tackles for Hunger, now in its fifth year, distributes meals and raises funds for Indiana food banks. Franklin chose to keep the event in Indianapolis despite the change of teams, signaling that his philanthropic priorities have not shifted with his jersey color. Children at the Lilly Club participated in football drills before sitting down for a meal provided by local restaurant partners, an arrangement Franklin helped coordinate even while packing for his move to Wisconsin.

The scene offered a snapshot of why teammates and coaches consistently praised the veteran’s leadership. Even in transition, Franklin centered the day on service rather than sentimentality, pausing only briefly to reflect on the locker-room exits and tunnel introductions that defined his Colts tenure.

As he signed autographs and posed for photos, Franklin reiterated a message that has become his mantra: Indianapolis will always be part of his story, trade or not. The words resonated with supporters wearing both Colts blue and Packers green, proof that loyalty to a city can transcend franchise allegiance.