Indianapolis, IN

Colts linebacker to help tackle hunger this season

Published

1 year ago

September 5, 2024

Colts linebacker to help tackle hunger this season

INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) — Indianapolis Colts linebacker Zaire Franklin spends a lot of time making an impact in the Central Indiana community.

For instance, Franklin has previously teamed up with Hoagies and Hops to raise money for his foundation, Shelice’s Angels. And just last month, he helped coach a girls flag football game on the field at Lucas Oil Stadium following the Colts’ preseason contest against the Broncos.

On Wednesday, it was announced that Franklin would help fight hunger by making a donation to the Midwest Food Bank of Indiana for every tackle he makes this season.

Franklin, who wears jersey number 44, is pledging to donate $44 per tackle “with Coca-Cola Consolidated contributing a dollar-for-dollar match donation,” according to a news release.

“He’s always out in the community, doing things for the community, helping out,” Colts head coach Shane Steichen said. “He’s a leader on our football team. He’s got that ‘C’ on his chest for a reason. So, that’s a big-time deal for him, for sure.”

Franklin is coming off a career-year in which he finished with 179 tackles, a franchise record.

His work away from the field last year helped him become the Colts’ Walter Payton Man of the Year nominee.

“With the Walter Payton Man of the Year experience, my chance to meet and learn from so many other great men in the NFL,” Franklin said. “I was just thinking of how can I do something to go bigger. And what bigger way to do it than to contribute something that helps me work towards my goals as well? Just looking forward to being able to impact the Indianapolis community in a positive way.”

The Midwest Food Bank of Indiana is a “faith-based organization” that hopes “to share the love of Christ by alleviating hunger and malnutrition locally and throughout the world and providing disaster relief; all without discrimination,” according to the organization’s web site.

“We believe that by coming together with a partner like Zaire Franklin, we can support our community and fulfill our commitment to inspire and serve,” Sam Meiner, Vice President, General Manager of Midwest Market Unit, said in the news release.

Fans can also donate directly to the Midwest Food Bank of Indiana using the memo code “ZAIRE.” Click here to donate.

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Indianapolis, IN

Highlights: Tri-West at Cardinal Ritter; February 27, 2026

Published

3 hours ago

February 28, 2026

Press Room

Highlights: Tri-West at Cardinal Ritter; February 27, 2026

INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) — “The Zone” featured highlights from eight high school boys basketball games from across central Indiana on Friday.

Watch highlights of Tri-West at Cardinal Ritter above.

Final Score: Tri-West 65 Cardinal Ritter 62

“The Zone” airs each Friday at 11:08 p.m. Click here to watch ‘The Zone’ for basketball highlights on February 27, 2026.

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Indianapolis, IN

New bridge over 96th Street adds to Nickel Plate Trail connections

Published

15 hours ago

February 27, 2026

Press Room

New bridge over 96th Street adds to Nickel Plate Trail connections

FISHERS, Ind. (WISH) — The Nickel Plate Trail pedestrian bridge over 96th Street is officially open.

It was being touted Friday as a major milestone for central Indiana’s growing trail system. The street is the Fishers-Indianapolis border.

Leaders called the project a critical connection point for the Nickel Plate Trail. The new bridge helps move the nearly 17-mile trail closer to its goal of connecting multiple counties through one continuous path.

The bridge also came with a 1.3-mile trail extension. A $4.5 million grant from the Indiana Department of Natural Resources made the bridge possible.

Dale Brier, deputy director of Indiana Department of Natural Resources, talked about the state’s Next Level Trails grant program. “Currently, we have 89 trail projects that that were funded with that money. Fifty-nine of those are complete. We’ve got 12 under construction. As of this opening, we have 167 miles of trail that have now been opened with that grant money.”

People who frequently take the trail for their daily exercises say they’re excited the bridge is finally open.

Alan Errichiello of the Fishers Running Club said, “Extending this down south into Indianapolis is a big game changer for us. It’ll add a lot of miles that we can easily get into.”

Resident Tracy Mundell said, “Trying to get to the other side was nearly impossible, so I think most people didn’t even attempt it. It’s going to be great, we can get over to the other side, and I’m anxious to see what’s over there.”

The final portion of the project, called the Clear Path project, remains under construction.

Fishers Mayor Scott Fadness, a Republican, said, “We need to double-down on that investment, and we know time and time again here in the city of Fishers that trail systems, the ability to get up and get out and get active, is such an important part in our culture of health, that an investment like this is critical.”

Once complete, local leaders say the goal is to provide a more safe and connected routes between Noblesville, Fishers, Indianapolis and other surrounding cities.

Resident Steve Mundell said, “It’s lovely. It’ll be real convenient to get across too.”

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Indianapolis, IN

Good and bad from Colts’ 2026 NFLPA report card grades

Published

1 day ago

February 27, 2026

Press Room

Good and bad from Colts’ 2026 NFLPA report card grades

What grades did the Indianapolis Colts earn on the 2026 NFLPA report cards?

The NFLPA is no longer able to make their annual report cards public. However, ESPN’s Kayln Kahler was able to obtain a copy of the reports following the 2025 NFL season, and the Indianapolis Colts were again around the middle of the pack.

In these report cards, players rate numerous aspects of the organizations they play for, from ownership to the training facilities and everything in between. According to Kahler, 1,759 players contributed to these grades.

So, where did the Colts end up this year relative to the rest of the NFL this year?

Overall, the Colts ranked 17th. Below is a breakdown of each individual grade they received.

Treatment of Families: B
Home Game Field: D
Food/Dining Area: B
Nutritionist/Dietician: A-
Locker Room: C+
Training Room: B
Training Staff: B+
Weight Room: B
Strength Coaches: A
Position Coaches: B
Offensive Coordinator: B
Defensive Coordinator: B+
Special Teams Coordinator: B+
Team Travel: B-
Head Coach: A-
General Manager: A
Team Ownership: A

Of note, although the Colts haven’t been to the postseason in five years, Shane Steichen and Chris Ballard both received high marks.

Carlie Irsay Gordon, Kalen Jackson, and Casey Foyt earned an A in their first year as the primary owners.

The field at Lucas Oil Stadium received a very low mark, earning a D, while the locker room was given a C+. Those were the two lowest grades the Colts received.

Compared to the 2025 rankings, the Colts moved up two spots this year, after coming in at 19th last year.

The biggest jumps the Colts experienced came in the Food/Dining grade, which went from a C to a B. The Team travel grade also jumped from a D+ to a B-.

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