Tradition Continues in Holidays for the Indianapolis Colts

As the holiday season overlaps with the final stretch of the NFL regular season, the Indianapolis Colts are keeping their decades-old holiday traditions alive—blending team unity, community giving, and respect for franchise history to spread joy both on and off the field. From their annual toy drive for local children to player visits at children’s hospitals, from alumni-led holiday meals for families in need to a team-wide “Holiday Family Night” that brings players and their loved ones together, the Colts’ traditions are more than just seasonal rituals. They’re a reflection of the franchise’s core values: putting the community first, honoring the bonds between past and present, and creating moments that strengthen the “Colts family” for players, staff, and fans alike. This year, with the team in the thick of a playoff push, these traditions have taken on extra meaning—serving as a reminder of why the Colts are more than a football team to the Indianapolis community. Tradition Continues in Holidays for the Indianapolis Colts explores how each tradition has evolved, the impact it has on those involved, and why keeping these rituals alive matters during a busy and high-stakes time of year.

The Colts’ most beloved holiday tradition—the annual “Colts Care Toy Drive”—has once again brought players, fans, and the community together to support children in need. For over 20 years, the team has collected new, unwrapped toys at home games in December, with players and cheerleaders volunteering to sort and distribute the gifts to local organizations like the Salvation Army and Riley Children’s Health. This year, the toy drive exceeded expectations: fans donated over 12,000 toys during the Colts’ Week 15 game against the Tennessee Titans, and players like Jonathan Taylor and Anthony Richardson joined volunteers at Riley Hospital to hand-deliver gifts to kids spending the holidays in treatment. Taylor, who has participated in the drive every year since joining the team, said the tradition reminds him of the importance of giving back. “These kids are going through tough times, and if we can put a smile on their faces with a toy, that’s the best win we can get this holiday season,” he said. The Colts also partnered with local businesses to match toy donations, doubling the impact of fans’ generosity. What makes this tradition special is its consistency: generation after generation of Colts players have participated, turning a simple toy drive into a community staple. Tradition Continues in Holidays for the Indianapolis Colts frames this drive as the heart of the team’s holiday efforts, showing how football can be a force for good during the season of giving.

Another cherished tradition that continues this year is the Colts Alumni Holiday Meal, where former players return to Indianapolis to serve a free holiday dinner to families facing financial hardship. Founded by Colts legends like Peyton Manning and Reggie Wayne in 2008, the meal is held at Lucas Oil Stadium’s club level, with alumni cooking, serving, and chatting with families—many of whom are Colts fans. This year, over 30 alumni (including Robert Mathis, Bob Sanders, and Edgerrin James) volunteered, serving 500 families a traditional holiday feast of turkey, ham, stuffing, and pies. Sanders, who flew in from his home in Florida to participate, said the tradition is a way for alumni to stay connected to the community that supported them during their careers. “We got so much from Indianapolis when we played here—this is our way of saying thank you,” he said. Families also received gift bags with Colts memorabilia, and kids had the chance to take photos with alumni and the team’s mascot, Blue. The meal isn’t just about food; it’s about creating lasting memories—like the 8-year-old fan who teared up when James signed his jersey, or the single mother who said the meal “made our holiday feel special when we couldn’t afford much.” Tradition Continues in Holidays for the Indianapolis Colts explores how this alumni-led tradition bridges past and present, keeping the Colts’ legacy of community support alive.

For the Indianapolis Colts, the team-wide “Holiday Family Night” is a tradition that strengthens bonds within the locker room, bringing players, coaches, and their families together for a night of fun amid the stress of a playoff push. Held at the Colts’ training facility, the event includes a potluck dinner (with players bringing dishes from their cultural backgrounds—from Taylor’s Louisiana-style gumbo to Richardson’s Florida citrus salad), a gift exchange, and activities for kids like face painting, a bounce house, and a visit from Santa Claus. This year, head coach Shane Steichen kicked off the night with a speech, emphasizing that the Colts’ success on the field starts with the support of their families. “We ask a lot of these guys—long practices, road trips, time away from home,” Steichen said. “This night is about saying thank you to the people who stand behind them.” For the Indianapolis Colts, the tradition is especially meaningful for rookies, many of whom are spending their first holiday season away from home. Rookie linebacker Zaire Franklin said the night made him feel “like part of a real family, not just a team.” His mother, who traveled from Pennsylvania to attend, added, “Seeing how the team cares about its players’ families makes me so proud he’s a Colt.” The event also includes a moment of reflection, where players share what the holidays mean to them—often highlighting gratitude for their teammates and the opportunity to play football. Tradition Continues in Holidays for the Indianapolis Colts emphasizes how this tradition builds camaraderie that translates to better performance on the field, as players feel more connected to each other and their purpose.

Another tradition that continues to grow is the Colts Cheerleaders’ Holiday Caroling Tour, which brings cheerleaders to senior centers, military bases, and community centers across Indianapolis to perform holiday songs and spread cheer. For over 15 years, the cheerleaders have volunteered their time during December, visiting places like the Indianapolis Veterans Affairs Medical Center and local senior living communities where residents may not have family nearby. This year, the tour included 10 stops, with cheerleaders singing classics like “Jingle Bells” and “Silent Night,” posing for photos, and handing out small gifts like Colts-themed calendars and holiday cards. At the VA Medical Center, cheerleader Sarah Johnson said the reactions from veterans made the long hours worth it. “One veteran told us he hadn’t smiled this much since his family visited last year,” she said. “That’s why we do this—holidays can be lonely for some, and we want to make them feel seen.” For the Indianapolis Colts, the cheerleaders’ tour is an extension of the team’s commitment to serving all parts of the community, not just families with children. It also showcases the cheerleaders’ role as ambassadors for the franchise, connecting the Colts to fans who may not attend games but still feel part of the team. Tradition Continues in Holidays for the Indianapolis Colts examines how this tradition expands the Colts’ holiday impact, reaching groups that often get overlooked during the busy season.

Finally, the Colts are continuing their tradition of honoring military families during holiday games, a nod to Indianapolis’ strong military community and the team’s long-standing support for veterans. During their Week 16 home game against the Houston Texans, the Colts invited 50 military families to be “Honored Guests,” providing them with free tickets, pre-game field access, and a meet-and-greet with players. At halftime, the team recognized a local Army sergeant, Melissa Garcia, who had just returned from a year-long deployment, presenting her with a custom Colts jersey and a gift card for her family’s holiday shopping. The tradition, which started in 2010, also includes a moment of silence for service members deployed overseas and a video tribute to military families played on the stadium’s big screen. Colts owner Jim Irsay said honoring the military is a way for the team to give back to those who sacrifice so much. “Our freedom allows us to play and watch football every week, and we never want to take that for granted,” Irsay said. For the Indianapolis Colts, this tradition is a reminder that the holidays are about gratitude—and that the team’s success is tied to the community it serves, including those who defend the country. As the Colts head into a critical Week 18 game, these holiday traditions have given them a sense of purpose beyond winning football games. Tradition Continues in Holidays for the Indianapolis Colts concludes that while playoff wins are fleeting, the memories and impact of these traditions last a lifetime—strengthening the Colts’ bond with Indianapolis and ensuring the franchise’s legacy of giving back endures for years to come.