Jeff Teague Apologizes to Zaire Franklin After Heated Debate

The former NBA All-Star acknowledged he disrespected the Colts linebacker's name and legacy during a Club 520 appearance.

Published on Feb. 11, 2026

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Things escalated quickly between former NBA All-Star Jeff Teague and Indianapolis Colts linebacker Zaire Franklin during a taping of the Club 520 podcast, with Teague initially referring to Franklin as "Zaire Smith" and Franklin pushing back strongly, arguing that Teague was disrespecting his name and accomplishments. By the next day, Teague issued a public apology, acknowledging that names and legacies are important to people and their families.

Why it matters

The heated exchange highlighted the importance of respecting an athlete's identity and legacy, even in the context of friendly sports debates. Both Teague and Franklin take great pride in their professional accomplishments, and the clash struck a nerve as they defended their hard-earned names and reputations.

The details

The friction began when Teague referred to Franklin as 'Zaire Smith,' confusing him with a former NBA player. Franklin immediately pushed back, saying 'Come on bro don't disrespect my name Jeff' and arguing that he was a captain and All-Pro while Teague was only a 'one-time All-Star.' The exchange intensified as Teague pointed to draft position, while Franklin argued that he maximized his professional career.

  • The incident occurred during Monday's episode of the Club 520 podcast.
  • Teague issued his public apology the following day, on Tuesday.

The players

Jeff Teague

A former NBA All-Star who played 12 seasons across five teams, earning an All-Star nod in 2015.

Zaire Franklin

An Indianapolis Colts linebacker who has spent eight seasons with the team, earning second-team All-Pro and Pro Bowl honors in 2024.

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What they’re saying

“Shoutout to Z I apologize about what happened yesterday we dapped up these guys got on my a-s, I understand names and accolades are important to people and their families.”

— Jeff Teague (Twitter)

“Come on bro don't disrespect my name Jeff. I was a captain on every team, I'm an all pro your trash a-s was a 1x all star bro watch your f-cking mouth and don't disrespect me bro we're at work right now.”

— Zaire Franklin (clutchpoints.com)

The takeaway

This incident serves as a reminder that even in the context of friendly sports debates, it's important to show respect for an athlete's identity and legacy. Both Teague and Franklin take great pride in their accomplishments, and the clash highlighted the need for accountability and understanding when discussing each other's names and reputations.