The Super Colts!!! Congrats Indy on a GREAT season!

After Peyton Manning was drafted in the 1st round of the 1998 draft, I truly became a Indianapolis Colts fan. I grew up in Northeast Indiana as a Cowboys fan (1986-1996), but lost interest in them after the retirements of Aikman, Irvin, Novacek, Norton, E. Smith, etc. I followed all the teams in the NFL during my days at good ol' Wabash, but focused more on U.T. and college football. Once Manning lead the Vols to some great seasons in Knoxville, I started to notice what a remarkable player and QB he was and what he might become in the professional ranks.

In 1999, Amy took a job in Indy and got an apartment while I finished up at Wabash. In 2000, after my graduation, we rented an apartment and then we decided to become avid Colts fans. As the years went by, I noticed Amy was more and more interested in the Colts and football - a wonderful compromise that comes from a loving wife. In 2002, we purchased our first home on the NE side of Indy and got married. I finished my Master's at University of Indianapolis and we both really began to feel connected to the city. As the years went by, the Colts (and Peyton) progressively got better and their possible chances at a Super Bowl increased too. In 2003, they fell short with a blow-out loss in the first round of the playoff to the New York Jets 41-0. Addison was born in January 2004 and within five days of being alive he was at his first post-season Colts party... a loss to the Patriots (24-14). But 2005 brought new hope and promise with another shot at the Pats. But another loss ensued... this time 20-3. Then NEW hope.... Lily was born that summer!!! But shortly after Lily's birth we moved from the city to Southern Indiana. Faithfully, we followed EVERY game from Jeffersonville in 2005 and we made some trips back to Indy just to enjoy the karma of the re-vamped Colts. They had a GREAT season, starting 13-0, but finished with a disappointing home loss to the soon-to-be XL Super Bowl Champs - Pittsburgh Steelers.


Then came this year!!! The Colts started out 9-0 and were favorites until the latter part of the season to win the AFC. We knew that once we moved from Indy the Colts were sure to win... and they have!! With an impressive playoff run through Kansas City, Baltimore, New England (the comeback redemption game) and Chicago, the Indianapolis Colts (OUR COLTS) are Super Bowl Champs!!!!

This year we travelled to Ringwood, IL (Bears Country) to enjoy the game with our dear friends - Auntie H, Ma and Pa Leet, and Rick and Maggie Wasilewski. It was a battle, but in the end the Colts prevailed. On our trip back home, we made a stop in Indy to enjoy downtown, Champps Restaurant and to welcome the SBXLI champs home in the RCA dome. Congrats Peyton, Coach Dungy and the Indy Colts!!! You deserve it!!! RE-PEAT!!! RE-PEAT!!! RE-PEAT!!!

(pictured L to R on float: Coach Tony Dungy w/ SB XLI trophy, GM Bill Polian and Owner Jim Irsay)