LOOK: Former Oregon star bought expensive personalized gift for entire defensive line
Indianapolis Colts defensive lineman DeForest Buckner dropped more than a little scratch this Christmas. The former Oregon Ducks star bought each of his fellow defensive linemen personalized scooters with their jersey numbers on them.
The scooters from PHAT cost $3,395 each. And he didn’t stop there. Buckner also gifted his teammates with designer Louis Vuitton beanies. The headwear costs roughly $550 each. Overall, Buckner spent at least $52,000 to shower his teammates with holiday cheer.
The Colts’ new Santa Claus will still have plenty of dough leftover after signing a four-year, $84 million contract last year. The former first-round draft pick out of Eugene is the second-highest-paid defensive tackle in the NFL this year. Only Rams defensive tackle Aaron Donald makes more.
Perhaps DeForest Buckner was feeling extra generous this year considering the run the Colts have had over the last few weeks. Indianapolis took down the Arizona Cardinals to notch their sixth out of the last seven games.
The Colts have games versus the struggling Raiders and dismal Jaguars coming up to close out the season. The favorable schedule and overall playoff picture have Buckner and the squad heading towards the playoffs. Indianapolis currently has a 96% chance to make the playoffs, according to ESPN FPI.
Indy is one win behind the Tennessee Titans but after suffering losses to their divisional opponent twice, it’s unlikely that the Colts overtake the Titans to win the AFC South.
DeForest Buckner has 6.5 sacks this season through Week 17, along with 33 solo tackles. He’s coming off a 9.5-sack season for the Colts last year.
With two weeks to go, six teams have clinched playoff appearances. The Chiefs, Buccaneers, Rams, Cardinals, Packers and Cowboys are in the 14-team field so far.