- October 14, 2026
- By Maryland Athletics Staff
Maryland football legends and former NFL players Shawne Merriman and A.J. Francis will host their annual coat and canned food drives, respectively, at the Homecoming football game against Rutgers on Saturday.
Merriman's 24th annual Lights On Foundation Coat Drive invites fans and community members to donate new or gently used coats, hats, scarves and other cold weather gear to support local families in need. This year's coat drive also coincides with Merriman's induction into the University of Maryland Athletics Hall of Fame, with the induction ceremony and banquet on Friday and an on-field recognition at the game.
"When I first started this 24 years ago I was only looking to help a few hundred people to not feel like I felt in the winter," Merriman said. "Twenty-four years later we're still going, but none of this would be possible without all the support I've received over the years to do so."
The 10th annual A.J. Francis Canned Food Drive encourages all attendees to bring nonperishable items to the game. Donations will go to Sarah's House in Fort Meade, Md., a shelter for families experiencing homelessness.
"I grew up in Severn, Md., and my parents both went to Meade High School, so Sarah's House represents a community full of people that could have been me," Francis said. "We've been able to raise thousands of dollars and thousands of pounds of food for people that really need it, and to be able to do that for a decade lets me know that my purpose of making my community better than how I found it is coming true."
Volunteers will be on hand to collect canned food and new or gently used coats and other cold weather items at donation bins located at SECU Stadium gates C, F and I.
Wegmans Food Markets is joining the food drive this year by providing logistic and employee support to help collect, sort and pack the donated items. Additionally, Wegmans will be making a direct contribution of canned food.
Merriman played for the Terps from 2002-04, culminating with an all-conference team nod. He was taken with the 12th pick in the 2005 NFL draft and burst onto the pro scene as the NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year. He played eight seasons and went on to earn three Pro Bowl selections and two All-Pro selections, including First-Team All-Pro in 2006 after leading the league in sacks.
Francis, who played at Maryland from 2009-12, was an anchor of the Maryland defensive line, playing in 49 games and compiling 149 tackles and 9.5 sacks. He played in the NFL for Miami, Seattle, Washington, the New York Giants, New England and Tampa Bay. He is now a WWE entertainer and currently a TNA superstar.