Colts Legend Super Bowl Dwight Freeney Auctions His Final Game-Worn Jersey to Support Former Teammate Battling Parkinson’s Disease

Colts Legend Super Bowl Dwight Freeney Auctions His Final Game-Worn Jersey to Support Former Teammate Battling Parkinson’s Disease

Indianapolis, Indiana – November 4, 2025

In a moment that has touched the entire Colts community, franchise legend Dwight Freeney — the relentless pass rusher who struck fear into quarterbacks for over a decade — has decided to auction off the game-worn jersey from his final NFL game to support a former teammate now facing the toughest battle of his life: Parkinson’s disease.

From 2002 to 2012, Freeney embodied the spirit of the horseshoe — strength, precision, and pride. A seven-time Pro Bowler and three-time All-Pro, he recorded 125.5 career sacks, dominating offensive lines and anchoring one of the most feared defenses in the league. Alongside Robert Mathis, he formed one of the most destructive pass-rushing duos in NFL history — the heart of the Colts’ Super Bowl XLI championship run.

That former teammate in need is Gary Brackett, the former Colts captain and emotional leader of the 2006 Super Bowl squad, who has been privately battling early-stage Parkinson’s disease. Known for his intelligence, leadership, and unbreakable spirit, Brackett continues to inspire the Indianapolis community, even as he faces his toughest opponent yet.

Speaking with deep emotion, Freeney said:
“We fought side by side — shoulder to shoulder on the field, sharing every victory and every defeat. Today, he’s facing a battle no playbook can prepare you for. I can’t take the field for him, but I can let this jersey keep fighting — for him, for brotherhood, and for the belief that we never leave one another behind.”

The jersey up for auction is the very one Freeney wore during his final home game at Lucas Oil Stadium — a treasured piece of Colts history cherished by fans across generations. But for Freeney, parting with it isn’t about nostalgia — it’s about purpose.

All proceeds from the auction will go to the Colts Alumni Health & Wellness Fund, which assists former players facing long-term health challenges, including neurological conditions like Parkinson’s. The initiative, led by the Indianapolis Colts Foundation, also funds research and provides financial support for retired athletes in need.

“This jersey carried our pride, our pain, and our victories,” Freeney reflected. “If it can now carry hope for a brother who gave everything to this city, then it’s still doing its job.”

For Colts Nation, the gesture transcends charity — it’s a powerful reminder of what Indianapolis football has always stood for: loyalty, integrity, and the unbreakable bond between teammates who became family.

In Indianapolis, that bond doesn’t fade when the lights go out — it only grows stronger.