Indianapolis, IN
Former Colts star Dwight Freeney named to Pro Football Hall of Fame Class of 2024
INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. (WFIE) – The NFL tonight announced former Indianapolis Colts defensive end Dwight Freeney as an inductee into the Pro Football Hall of Fame Class of 2024. The Class of 2024 will be formally enshrined in Canton, Ohio this August.
“Dwight built himself into one of the game’s most feared pass rushers with his trademark spin move,” said Colts Owner & CEO Jim Irsay. “He provided Colts fans with many thrilling moments as one of pro football’s all-time greats, and he truly deserves this honor.”
Freeney becomes the third Colts defensive lineman to be selected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame, joining Art Donovan (1968) and Gino Marchetti (1972). Freeney was originally selected by Indianapolis in the first round (11th overall) of the 2002 NFL Draft out of Syracuse. He was a member of the Colts’ Super Bowl XLI victory and was inducted into the team’s Ring of Honor in 2019. Freeney retired from the NFL as a member of Indianapolis in 2018.
Over 16 NFL seasons, Freeney played in 218 career games (157 starts) with the Colts (2002-2012), San Diego Chargers (2013-14), Arizona Cardinals (2015), Atlanta Falcons (2016), Seattle Seahawks (2017) and Detroit Lions (2017). He totaled 341 tackles (292 solo), 63.0 tackles for loss, 125.5 sacks, 16 passes defensed, 47 forced fumbles and four fumble recoveries. Freeney was a three-time Associated Press First Team All-Pro and a seven-time Pro Bowl selection.
Freeney ranks 18th in NFL history in sacks and fifth in forced fumbles (since 1994). He also appeared in 22 postseason contests (19 starts) and compiled 38 tackles (30 solo), 6.0 tackles for loss, 11.0 sacks, one pass defensed, two forced fumbles and one fumble recovery. Freeney is tied for sixth in league history in career postseason sacks.
In 11 seasons in Indianapolis, Freeney saw action in 163 regular season games (143 starts) and compiled 307 tackles (267 solo), 48.0 tackles for loss, 107.5 sacks, 14 passes defensed, 44 forced fumbles and three fumble recoveries. He ranks second in team history in career sacks. Freeney registered at least 1.0 sack in 77 games and had 25 multi-sack games, which each rank second-most in team history. He compiled seven seasons with 10.0 or more sacks, including a career-high 16.0 sacks in 2004 (second-most in single-season team history). As a rookie in 2002, Freeney set the Colts rookie sack record with 13.0.
Joining Freeney in the Pro Football Hall of Fame Class of 2024 are linebacker Randy Gradishar, punt returner/kick returner/wide receiver Devin Hester, wide receiver Andre Johnson (played for Colts in 2015), defensive tackle Steve McMichael, defensive end Julius Peppers and linebacker Patrick Willis.
Copyright 2024 WFIE. All rights reserved.
Indianapolis, IN
Pat McAfee on current Colts: ‘They hate me’
Pat McAfee played for the Indianapolis Colts, broadcasts his popular ESPN show from Indianapolis and has field-level seats for Colts games.
He’s beloved, right? Not lately.
“This current Colts team … I do believe I’m part of enemy camp. They hate me,” he said on NFL Network’s pregame show.
McAfee has openly talked about the Colts’ up-and-down season − including quarterback Anthony Richardson tapping out of a game for one play, and other locker room issues − and some Colts players have responded.
“I don’t think anybody on this Colts team is a fan of old Pat McAfee, and that’s OK, as long as they keep winning,” he said.
NFL Network’s Rich Eisen urged McAfee to pursue a truce with the Colts players, but he wasn’t having it. Of course, McAfee could be channeling his WWE persona here.
“If this war with the Colts players continues, there’s no way I’m spending any more time or money in that thing when I got a baby girl at my house that I can go hang out with,” McAfee said. “It’s quite a situation. It’s very much brewing. It’s very real.
“I’m not that type of guy. That’s not my M.O. I love Indianapolis. I love this city. If they gotta rally around hating me, so be it.”
Indianapolis, IN
Colts vs Lions TV coverage map in NFL Week 12
The Indianapolis Colts host the Detroit Lions in NFL Week 12 action.
The game will be shown on Fox in four NFL markets: Indianapolis Detroit, Cleveland and Cincinnati. The vast majority of Michigan, Indiana and Ohio will get the broadcast, as well as slivers of Illinois and Kentucky.
When do the Colts play the Lions in NFL Week 12?
1 p.m. ET Sunday, Nov. 24, 2024, at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis.
How to watch Colts vs Lions in NFL Week 12
Fox, with Kenny Albert (play-by-play), Jonathan Vilma (analysis) and Megan Olivi (sideline reporting).
How to stream, watch Lions-Colts game for NFL Week 12
The Colts-Lions matchup will stream on Fox Sports app at 1 p.m. ET Sunday, Nov. 24, 2024. The app is available in the Apple App Store or on Google Play. Fans can also download NFL+ in the Apple App Store or on Google Play.
How to listen to NFL Week 12 Lions-Colts game on radio, streaming
Radio: 93.5, 97.1, 107.5 FM in Indianapolis, with Matt Taylor (play-by-play), Rick Venturi (analysis) and Larra Overton (sideline reporting)
Streaming: SiriusXM Channels 228, 813
What a deal!: Watch Colts-Lions on Fubo (free trial)
Indianapolis, IN
Colts Have an X-Factor for Lions’ Defense
The Indianapolis Colts (5-6) have arguably their toughest test of the 2024 season this Sunday as they host the Detroit Lions (9-1) at 1:00 p.m. E.T. at Lucas Oil Stadium.
The Lions are revered as one of the best teams in the NFL, but it’s important to find out more about them ahead of time beyond what’s commonly known nationally. Are there areas the Colts can take advantage of to provide fans some hope, or are the Lions the giants they are perceived to be?
This week, Horseshoe Huddle exchanged questions with John Maakaron of Detroit Lions On SI to uncover more. Check out HH‘s answers for Lions On SI here!
HH: Jared Goff is playing out of his mind this year. What do you think is the biggest thing that Ben Johnson and Goff are leaning into to reach that level of efficiency?
JM: The Lions have placed an emphasis on taking care of the ball, and outside of the game against Houston, Goff has been very good at that. That’s not to say that he only makes safe throws, as the veteran quarterback has pushed the ball downfield as well. He also has several talented route runners around him, as they are able to beat coverages and get open on what seems like every play. All of this adds up to Goff being able to put the ball wherever he wants it, whenever he wants it.
HH: Given the short distance and indoor playing facility, this probably won’t feel like a typical road game for the Lions, but how differently do they play on the road versus at home?
JM: The Lions’ fans have traveled very well over the last several seasons, and with Indianapolis being a relatively short distance away, it’s likely that many fans make the trip. The team feeds off the energy that its fan base provides, and the fans take pride in making road stadiums feel like Ford Field. As a result, the Lions have played with a little extra edge in their road games.
HH: Is there a weak link on that Lions offensive line?
JM: When everyone is healthy, the Lions’ offensive line is one of the best units in the league. There have been some struggles at points this season, but overall, the unit has been solid and has lived up to expectations. Taylor Decker had some struggles for a stretch but looked better after returning from injury last week. As a whole, there are few issues with the group, but pass protection can always be improved upon.
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HH: How is the Lions defense at defending the pass over the middle of the field?
JM: This is an area that the Colts can test on Sunday, as veteran linebacker Alex Anzalone will be out for the first of what is expected to be between six-to-eight weeks. Jack Campbell fits the physical profile of an ideal middle linebacker with his size, but has room to grow in coverage. Still, the safety tandem of Brian Branch and Kerby Joseph has been elite this season and will make throwing the ball difficult, particularly over the middle of the field where both often lurk.
HH: Who wins and why?
JM: The Lions are hoping to get their ninth consecutive win. The Colts present a unique challenge with Anthony Richardson’s rushing abilities, as well as the threat he presents with his arm. However, he has been mistake-prone, and Branch and Joseph feed off mistakes. On offense, Detroit has been able to run the ball effectively for most of the season regardless of opponent, and this opens up the passing game. Indianapolis challenges early, but the Lions make enough plays to win comfortably: Lions 35, Colts 17
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