For many years, that subject line was my worst sports-fan nightmare. How could a team that ripped a city's heart out and then hold their heritage hostage possibly win the biggest sporting event in the country? For 22 seasons it didn't happen. And I started to believe in the Curse of the Moving Vans.
For their first 15 seasons in Indy the Colts continued their pathetic "Irsay" ways of the late Baltimore years. I knew once the Colts hired Bill Polian that things would change. When Peyton Manning lived up to and then exceeded expectations, things did change. When Tony Dungy was hired I just hoped that the Curse was true, because there was too much collective talent in that organization NOT to win at least one Super Bowl.
Last night, my "nightmare" happened. Yet, surprisingly, this isn't the "nightmare" I thought it would be. Maybe it's because the Ravens have already won the Super Bowl (in only their 5th season!). Maybe because with the win the Colts finally have a legacy and identity in Indianapolis. Maybe it's the way Tony Dungy carries himself with such class. Or maybe its because I have so many friends and family in Indiana that get to enjoy the ultimate sports fan high - winning the Super Bowl.
For whatever reason, this isn't as bad as I thought it would be. (In fact, the Steelers winning last year was worse.) Enjoy your title Colts fans. And I look forward to the 2007 season, when the Ravens should be strong contenders to take your crown.
P.S. I still want Johnny U and his teammates recognized as Baltimore Colts in the Hall of Fame. Look for my open letter to Jim Irsay later, outlining a fair and feasible solution.
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3 comments:
Good job, DK. Good post. I almost didn't want to check your blog. I thought there would be a lot of anger and venom. The business end of sports is messy. You've looked past that to see the real soul of champions. Good job.
Now..I'm looking forward to a good rivalry with the Ravens too...well actually I'm looking forward to the Colts offense smacking Ray Lewis around! REPEAT!
I'm looking forward to the challenge next year too. Indy is obviously the team to beat & right now the Ravens don't match up well vs. their defense.
P.S. You don't want to smack Ray Lewis around. He was your best offensive player against the Ravens, thanks to all the INT's he broke up. : )
Wow, you're being really gracious here! Bob, being a Bears fan, is much more irked than you right now. But even he isn't really bitching a lot.
Anyway, if more sports fans could put things in perspective like this, there would be fewer riots in the streets after championship games.
And yeah, it's pretty hard to hate anyone on either team, except for Manning. (:::shakes fist at sky:::) However, we can't deny that he and the rest of the Colts played a good game, and they do deserve their rings.
Bottom line: I'm glad that the Indy fans around me can be happy, even if the Bears fans can't. On to next year!
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