Letting go of something we love in life is hard to do. We naturally want to hold on to it, as we fear there can never be another experience like one that has provided great joy to us.
The same holds true in professional sports, and while fans who pay for tickets have certain conditional rights to express themselves, there comes a time when they have to acknowledge the train carrying their hero out of town has pulled away and will never return.
I guess I was naive when I thought a year removed from the departure of Peyton Manning, Indianapolis Colts fans would come to terms with the matter, and embrace the phenomenal prospect they now have in one Andrew Luck. After all, he is a gifted, physical specimen and is as intelligent as they come to boot.
Barring serious injury, he will accomplish everything his predecessor did and then some perhaps, and all will again be well. Sounds logical to me, but if you strolled around the outside perimeter of Lucas Oil Stadium this past weekend before the home opener against the Oakland Raiders, you saw that the Manning Fan Club was well represented and holding court.
From those expensive authentic blue No. 18 jerseys (as well as his new Denver model) to posters and home made signs, it was as if there was a political rally in session despite the fact that the election was over. I understand the love they expressed, but still I wondered why it is so hard for them to accept their “guy” was physically unable to continue on at a high level and why they do not recognize the sage wisdom displayed by the Colts in terms of how the transition was orchestrated.
Many were probably convinced even further that with Manning throwing seven touchdown passes on opening night against an anemic (a kind word for it) Baltimore secondary that he has discovered the fountain of youth and as a result, turned back the clock 10 years. Sorry folks, that is just wrong.
Considering Luck’s rookie performance, I assumed the Colts faithful would be firmly focused on the future and with the offseason addition of several free agents, expecting improvement despite the tougher schedule they are facing as a result of last year’s accomplishments with Luck at the helm.
Call it fickle or simply blindness, it still baffles me that as a whole, the fan base cannot come to terms with a new beginning, one that has so much promise and potential written all over it. Sure they can be won over with an accumulation of wins and subsequent championships, but the fact that they now have the most talented young quarterback in the NFL seems to be of little consolation to so many of those who just might trade their first born for another 400 yard passing game from Manning.
It is if they did not see the brilliance of Luck’s performance against the Raiders, especially that nifty touchdown run he provided in the fourth quarter. For those who say he does not possess Manning’s charm and charisma off the field, I would simply say give him time to show you what I have seen up close.
His polite, articulate manner will win you over too, and as his football accomplishments continue to impress, Luck will exorcise the ghost of Peyton Manning that swirls in the rafters and all certainly will be well once again in the tailgating sections that surround the stadium.
While Manning is in the express lane to Canton for a richly deserved Hall of Fame induction, his successor has all the tools (insert huge understatement here) to eventually meet him there.
That being said, it is now time to toss away that comfortable pair of shoes, Colts fans and break in a new pair that you can wear stylishly for the next 15 years. Savor the memories and keep those Manning jerseys as collectibles and get fitted for a new one that sports the number 12. It might feel strange at first, but it will grow on you and most likely become the most comfortable staple in your pregame outfit. The Luck era is now in full swing. Come on in and join the party now, or hop on the bandwagon later if you prefer. Either way, embrace the incredibly bright future Colts fans.
Danny Bridges, who thinks Andrew Luck is the best quarterback prospect since John Elway, can be reached at (317) 578-1780 or at Bridgeshd@aol.com.
