As I filed out of Lucas Oil Stadium Sunday, I could see the dejection in the faces of the faithful, even the ones with their faces painted blue and white.
Thousands of people wearing the jersey of their favorite player and cursing the Kansas City Chiefs, the officiating, and anything else they could blame for the Colts fifth straight loss – citing everything except the Colts defensive effort.
Everywhere I look in Indianapolis I see and hear people talking about how disappointing the season has been to date and how agonizing all of it is.
Nonsense I say, so lets get a collective grip and put it in perspective.
Now I will admit, sitting high in the press box in a comfortable, climate controlled setting with everything you could ask for is indeed an environment that lends to the inability to fathom the frustrations of those who pay their hard earned money for tickets, parking and $10 beers. I am somewhat even more spoiled from the sideline accessibility I get with freelance television production work. Yes, I do experience things differently.
That aside, here is a news bulletin: This will pass and you will indeed get through this. Your life will undoubtedly continue to unfold, and regardless of how many games the Colts lose, there are more important things in life.
I tried to tell that to the polite lady behind the counter at my neighborhood dry cleaners as she rang up my order this past Friday wearing her Peyton Manning replica jersey. (For the record it cost more than my wardrobe is worth.)
She always bends my ear about sports in general and we often talk about the business of it all and how out of whack that aspect certainly has become.
She said her Sundays have been depressing of late and watching the Colts lose was difficult for those in her household. When I ask her why she didn’t simply turn off the game in favor of a good book or getting outside to enjoy the nice weather, she looked at me as if I was both insensitive and insane.
How anyone could do that was beyond her comprehension. Her face said this is NFL football pal, and these are our Colts They must entertain us with victories and playoff appearances. We deserve it, correct?
As I thanked her for the service and hastily exited with shirts that will no doubt be over starched next time for even thinking there is something other than Colts football that actually matters, I thought long and hard about the throngs of people in our community who are feeling similar regarding their beloved heroes. Later that day I encountered a man in the same nursing facility that my dear father is a resident in wearing a Colts hat. I asked him if they were going to win that following Sunday and he responded (loudly no less) “they better.” This from a fine gentleman who is normally so soft spoken that you have to lean over to hear him when you converse. The “onslaught of misery” continued as I then visited the doggy daycare to pick up my precious golden retrievers and encountered a beagle wearing a Colts bandanna. When I asked the owner about the fashionable neckwear her dog was sporting she replied sarcastically: “If they do not start winning I am going to take it off of him.” Poor pooch I thought as I collected my guys and paid the tab. As we motored home I asked myself how all this angst has developed and why the importance of winning these games is so vital to these fine folks. I mean compared to a single mother working two jobs to make ends meet, this losing streak really is not that bad. It would probably be a difficult sale to convince a teacher without adequate resources to educate their respective students that if we do not start winning soon (and often I might add) that all is lost. I mean can you imagine discussing the fact the Colts are 0-5 instead of 5-0 with someone homeless and explaining how the lack of a running game is something that we can not tolerate? Indeed it makes sleeping on the street pale in comparison now doesn’t it? If you think I am being a bit extreme with all this, think again. Go into any eatery or barbershop and just openly ask those in attendance what is wrong with the Colts and you will get a dissertation that if printed, would be longer than the tax code and the good book combined.
I know there are tons of people who love the team, and support it vigorously.
There are also those who actually live vicariously through the players as well.
While that is indeed their right to do such, I still am holding out for reality to set in, allowing for focus on the things in life that matter so much more than football. You know, the insignificant stuff like family, friends and the basic things we all must do each day to meet those pesky obligations such as mortgages and car payments. We simply cannot allow that to get in the way of a successful Colts season that many still are holding out hope for.
But just for kicks, think about it this way. If they never win a game again, your children still will love you and need you. You still have to pay the utilities and buy the groceries, and fill your tank to get to work each day. Just make sure you get gas at one of those stations that offers a free Colts mug with purchase.
Danny Bridges, who is sleeping just fine at night despite the Colts record, can be reached at (317) 578-1780 or Bridgeshd@aol.com.
