The bell seemed especially small in the hand of 6-foot-6 tight end Bubba Franks, but it rang in tremendous donations for charity.
Tuesday from noon to 1 p.m., Franks rang a bell at the Bay Park Square Mall in Green Bay, to encourage donations to the Salvation Army. While he greeted Packers fans, posing for pictures and signing autographs, they filled his donations kettle with $1,771.52 in contributions.
At one point during the hour, Franks spoke via cellphone to Minnesota Vikings tight end Byron Chamberlain. Chamberlain was at the Mall of America in Minneapolis, challenging Franks in a good-spirited 'kettle contest.'
In his hour of bell-ringing, Chamberlain brought in $363.
Even after the contest expired, Franks generously remained at his post. His extra hour of bell-ringing generated an additional $174.20.
Meanwhile, the Salvation Army received $100 in individual pledges by telephone.
In the end, Franks had helped ring in $2,045.72 in contributions to the Salvation Army -- a tribute to his efforts, and to the support of Packers fans.
