For most people… today is just another day of football. But for me- this is a most difficult day of football. My beloved Colts are playing my new love… The Broncos.
I grew up in Indianapolis. I remember the Colts leaving in the middle of the night from Baltimore to come to our town. They didn't come here guns a blazin' and growing up I could pretty much take them or leave them… I went to one game, but never owned anything with "Colts" on it.
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| Peyton Manning at the Colt's Training Camp |
UNTIL… they drafted this QB out of Tennessee named Peyton Manning. I had already gotten married and moved away, but I loved what this guy was doing for the Colts! But he wasn't just a great quarterback, he was a good guy! He gave money to build a children's hospital in Indy, was the first professional athlete to rent a plane and send much needed supplies to the people of New Orleans after Katrina… and countless other acts of kindness...that's when I became a true COLTS FAN. And being married to a Patriots fan… (Please don't judge me… love is BLIND!!) it was always a rivalry in our house whenever it was Manning vs. Brady.
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| My sweet boy's announcement photo |
So, in 2007, when the Colts were playing the Patriots for the AFC Championship with the winner going to the Super Bowl in Miami… I was a NERVOUS WRECK! This was OUR chance and it was OUR time! Now earlier in the day- I hadn't felt very good. Just a weird feeling… one of those feelings that make you wonder… so while the National Anthem was being sung at the beginning of the game- I was in my bathroom… peeing... on a stick.
POSITIVE was the result… on all THREE sticks. Aaron was back up at the Navy War College in Rhode Island and I had to call him to tell him. "Shock and Awe" wasn't just an aerial assault on Iraq anymore… So once we (and when I say "we" I really mean "I" because nothing rattles my hubby) settled down- we made a little bet. Whoever's team won that night… would get to name the baby. Crazy? Yes! But it's how we roll!
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| Destined to be a QB... |
The game was intense… the Colts were way behind most of the game… but, because God was a Colt's fan and He also knew that I could never truly love a baby named "Brady"… the Colt's came back and WON!!! They also then went on the win the SUPER BOWL… it was a beautiful start to my unborn "Peyton's" football story.
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| Holding the Colt's Superbowl Trophy!!! |
But then, a few years later… Peyton Manning was injured. And after several neck surgeries… had to sit out an entire year. I stood by my Colts because I had faith in Peyton's healing. But, after that year, Mr. Irsay (the owner of the Colts) didn't feel the same way, and they let my baby's namesake go….
I cried… and cried… Just ask my friend Lauren who I was visiting out in Cali at the time. Peyton, not a Colt? I couldn't fathom it. I secretly hoped that maybe Peyton would retire… only because I couldn't imagine him wearing any other uniform. But he didn't. He knew. He knew he still had some years of professional football in him- and he chose to go to the Denver Broncos. I hated Irsay (well, let's face it, I still do) and I hated Andrew Luck. But, I don't hate Luck anymore… I hope that he's the next up and coming QB. But I had a decision to make. Colts or Broncos? It wasn't just about me anymore… there was this amazing little boy in my life who I named Peyton, that I had to guide (and as far away as the Patriots as possible) So, since his name was "Peyton" and not "Colt"… we started buying Broncos gear! Now, I still love the Colts- and I will root for them everyday of my life…
except today.
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| GAME FACE… ON |
GO BRONCOS!!!!
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