No. 18

Wednesday, March 7, 2012 was the end of an era in Indianapolis. The Indianapolis Colts released quarterback Peyton Manning after 14 years with the team. Of course, it’s been over a year since owner Jim Irsay made the announcement. If you’re not from Indianapolis you might not understand how huge this was for the team and the city.

Manning was a regular patron of businesses in downtown Indianapolis (particularly St. Elmo's Steak House where Peyton signed his first contract with the Colts). He made a home in Indianapolis, his house was just outside the city, and his fans were used to seeing him around town. He was involved in the community; his close relationships with St. Vincent’s Children’s hospital lead to the creation Peyton Manning Children’s Hospital of Indianapolis.

            Indianapolis wasn’t always a football town Peyton made it one. In a town where “basketball was king” and city planning was based on the Brickyard 500, Peyton lead the Colts to victory and to a city full of loyal fans. Peyton and the Colts brought Indianapolis a win at the Super Bowl in 2007. Peyton won four Most Valuable Player awards while with the Colts.

Manning was Indianapolis’ beloved, star athlete. I can remember when Lucas Oil Stadium was built and the RCA Dome (the old home of the Colts) was torn down. Lucas Oil Stadium was dubbed “The House that Peyton Built.”

Now Peyton plays for the Denver Broncos. This Sunday, October 20, the Broncos will travel to Indianapolis and play the Colts for the first time since Peyton joined the team. Peyton hasn’t played at Lucas Oil Stadium since the 2010 season, because he was out with a neck injury for the entire 2011 season. His first time back on the field and he will be playing against the Colts. Think about it, he is going back to the house he built and playing against the team, the program, he built. I get chills just thinking about the game.

            Since the game was announced in the official NFL schedule fans have been itching with anticipation. Now we are in the week of the game and the hype is building. Indianapolis is lit up with anticipation. Ticket sales have skyrocketed for a regular season game. Jim Irsay says there will be a tribute to Peyton on game day, that he will get the applause he deserves.
            It's a hard balance for Colts fans. We love Peyton, but we love our team too (I mostly just love Peyton and haven't followed the Colts since the 2007 playoffs.) And Andrew Luck has been good to us. The Broncos are undefeated, but the Colts haven't lost two games in a row this season. Coming off a loss against the Chargers last week, this Sunday could change that for the Colts. Whether they're cheering on the Colts or Peyton and the Broncos, all eyes in Indy will be on Lucas Oil Stadium. I'm not a sports fan and this is probably the only sporting event I will care about all year. But I plan to have all of Sunday night free to watch the game.

**Check out #18 on this witty BuzzFeed article