I’ll let you in on a secret. I am a huge football fan. When the season is over, my television rarely goes on except for silly reality shows like Finding Bigfoot and Ghost Adventures, and the occasional breaking news in the football world.
This week was memorable, to say the least. I knew it was in the works, knew it was coming, judging by Jim I*say’s rants on T*itter and in the news, the recent exposure of an extra neck surgery and the like….but I was still hoping.
The Indianapolis Colts let Peyton Manning go. Fired him. Kicked him to the curb.
Let me tell you another secret, but this one is just between us. Although I am a New Jersey girl, born and bred, except for two extended stays in New Haven and New Orleans, and embrace all things New Jersey/New York including the Giants….(but not the Jets)
I was a Colts fan at heart.
I knew all their names, the O line, the D line the WRs, the RBs, the TEs. Special teams! Knew them all. “Give the ball to Addai! Let him run it!”
I even stuck with them through Curtis Painter and stayed up late to cheer when Dan Orlovsky brought them to victory (and Peyton to his hands and knees) in the December game versus the Texans. That last second pass to Reggie Wayne was just beautiful!
But they decided to let Peyton go. Gone, baby, gone.
The Colts, for me, will never be the same.
Now, I know, Peyton had four neck surgeries, flew overseas to get fat injected into his neck, and one bad hit just might take him out (and not in a good way).
But without him calling audibles at the line? Sorry Colts. That’s like Michael Vick, Cam Newton and Tim Tebow not running the ball every once in a while. It was something to which I looked forward, a facet of a Colts game that made them interesting.
Le sigh. Pardon me while I shed a tear.
I’m back.
I shudder to think that I will have to start watching Miami or Arizona games. I’m sorry, but the Miami uniforms are just hideous. Hideous!
And one Manning in the NJ/NY area is enough. Really, Rex Ryan? You would put Peyton on the Jets with your O-line made of tissue paper and spit? Poor Mark Sanchez ate more grass than a cow this season.
Anyway, that’s my take on Peyton’s leaving. I’m not happy. But, that’s football.
As a die hard sports fan, I love almost all sports. And I am a Charger fan, so I feel your pain regarding Peyton. It’s very hard to watch beloved players in a uniform not of the home team. Brees, Tomalison and Sproals come to mind right away. But for Peyton, I hope pride doesn’t make him compromise his future health to prove a point. Whether that point is “I can still play” or “I’m going to show you Colts, you made a mistake”.
Laurie, I do agree. After FOUR neck surgeries, I doubt very much that I would be in a hurry to get back on the field. There’s always a possibility of an even more serious injury. However, this is a guy who truly loves the game and it must be hard to give it up. Look at Brett Favre! Thank you so much for stopping by!