It looks like former Syracuse Orange linebacker Zaire Franklin and the Buffalo Bills players won’t be exchanging holiday greetings anytime soon. After the Bills’ 30-20 victory over Franklin and the Indianapolis Colts, defensive tackle Jordan Phillips wasted no time calling out Franklin on Instagram, posting a message that read, “BELT TO ASS,” while tagging the linebacker.
Phillips, who had recently returned to Buffalo after being released from the Dallas Cowboys’ injured reserve, had some words for Franklin during the game. Late in the first half, Phillips tracked down Franklin and took the opportunity to talk some trash after Josh Allen connected with Mack Hollins for a 44-yard gain. The two could be seen getting into each other’s faces following the play. It’s safe to say these two won’t be on each other’s Christmas card lists this year.
Phillips wasn’t the only Bills player getting in on the trash talk. In his Instagram post, Bills offensive lineman Alec Anderson also weighed in, taking a jab at Franklin’s podcast. Anderson’s comment added fuel to the fire, mocking Franklin off the field as well as on it. It seems like the rivalry between the Bills and Franklin, and perhaps the Colts as a whole, is heating up both on social media and in person.
“And your podcast is ass,” Anderson added on Instagram.
Franklin, who hosts *The Trenches with Zaire Franklin Podcast*, certainly won’t be getting a five-star review from Alec Anderson anytime soon, based on the comment he left in Phillips’ post.
As for Franklin’s football career, he’s had a strong journey. He played for Syracuse from 2014 to 2017, racking up 311 total tackles, 32 tackles for loss, 8.5 sacks, and two interceptions during his college years. The Indianapolis Colts selected him in the seventh round of the 2018 NFL Draft (No. 235 overall). After a few years as a reserve linebacker, Franklin broke into the starting lineup in 2021 and has since established himself as one of the Colts’ key defensive players. Last season, he earned a spot on the NFL Top 100 list and came into this game as the league’s leading tackler. It’s clear that Franklin’s work on the field has earned him respect, even if his interactions with Bills players are a bit more heated.
Franklin, who hosts *The Trenches with Zaire Franklin Podcast*, certainly won’t be getting a five-star review from Alec Anderson anytime soon, based on the comment he left in Phillips’ post.
As for Franklin’s football career, he’s had a strong journey. He played for Syracuse from 2014 to 2017, racking up 311 total tackles, 32 tackles for loss, 8.5 sacks, and two interceptions during his college years. The Indianapolis Colts selected him in the seventh round of the 2018 NFL Draft (No. 235 overall). After a few years as a reserve linebacker, Franklin broke into the starting lineup in 2021 and has since established himself as one of the Colts’ key defensive players. Last season, he earned a spot on the NFL Top 100 list and came into this game as the league’s leading tackler. It’s clear that Franklin’s work on the field has earned him respect, even if his interactions with Bills players are a bit more heated.
