Zaire Franklin admits Packers tradition left him confused

The Green Bay Packers gave Zaire Franklin his first experience with a distinctive franchise tradition Friday night. More than 60,000 fans filled Lambeau Field for Family Night, briefly leaving the veteran linebacker unsure whether he was preparing for practice or a game.

The Packers acquired Franklin from the Indianapolis Colts in March in exchange for defensive lineman Colby Wooden. The trade brought a leader to Green Bay after he spent his first eight NFL seasons in Indianapolis.

The 30-year-old linebacker earned second-team All-Pro honors and his first Pro Bowl selection in 2024 after leading the NFL with 173 tackles. He has since assumed a prominent role in the system created by new defensive coordinator Jonathan Gannon while adapting to his new surroundings. NFL.com’s Jason B. Hirschhorn shared Franklin’s reaction Wednesday in a post on X, formerly Twitter, describing the linebacker’s first encounter with the tradition.

“It was weird, because I’m like, ‘Is it a game? Is it practice?’ Like, we’re practicing, but once I ran out that tunnel, it felt like the energy just flipped the switch in my head. I just felt the energy from 60,000 plus.”

Family Night offered Franklin his clearest introduction to that atmosphere. The Packers held their 25th annual event on August 7, transforming a training camp practice into a game-like experience with music, video-board entertainment, and a post-practice fireworks show.

Franklin’s reaction illustrates what makes Family Night unusual, even for a player entering his ninth NFL season. He had spent his entire professional career with Indianapolis before joining the Packers this offseason.

The atmosphere also provided a practical test. The former Syracuse standout is expected to serve as the primary communicator in the Packers’ defense, and working inside a packed Lambeau Field allowed him to experience game-like crowd noise before the preseason.

For Franklin, the initial uncertainty quickly became appreciation. His first Family Night demonstrated that even a training camp practice in Green Bay can carry the energy and intensity of a regular-season game.