[StBernard] An Open Letter to the Saints from an Indianapolis Colts Fan

[Westley Annis]

It happened...

The Colts have made it to the Super Bowl. Quietly, humbly, efficiently they
came out in the second half and delivered the knockout blows needed to beat
the pesky New York Jets.

Every Colts fan has been salivating for this for two seasons since the last
trip to Miami .

Every Colts fan is ready, ecstatic that his team has made it this far. As
the clock ticked down in the AFC Championship game, the realization hit me
that another Super Bowl win would fully validate the career of my favorite
athlete (do I need to say his name?).

And then...

The Saints come marching in-guns blazing, classy group, everything you could
want out of a football team.

Everyone knows the story, Katrina hits, devastating the city of New Orleans
...

Who do the people turn to but their lovable loser football team..

They back them, despite the fact that they've never been to a Super Bowl,
that they've had more losing seasons than I'm sure fans care to recall...

The city pulls itself up from its bootstraps, and this team gives it
something to stand behind, to root for, to be so proud of.

Which then leads to the question many Colts fan ask themselves...

Why did we get stuck playing the most likeable football team in the history
of lovable losers?

I won't cut corners here. I'm die hard. I hope it's a great game. I hope
Peyton throws for 400 yards and five touchdowns and solidifies himself as
one of the all-time greats.

In the end, this game is different from any of the others. I don't hate the
Saints. In fact, I'd say they might be my second favorite team. I don't want
to see Drew Brees being carted off the field at any point in the game, or
any other Saints player for that matter. I don't want any questions about
who the better team was when that final whistle blows.

I want a hard-fought battle between two of the classier organizations in the
NFL.

I hope both teams walk off the field with their heads held high. I hope fans
of both of these franchises cherish this game, this season and the careers
of so many great players who will take the field on Super Bowl Sunday.

Which brings me to admitting maybe the hardest thing to say as a Colts
fan...

If we gotta lose to someone, might as well be you guys...

There, I said it. Now I look like a sentimental softy. I'm sure my die-hard
status will be in question to many a Colt's fan...

I don't care. Your story is amazing and your team might be bigger than any
one game or even the man(ning) I have idolized since he stepped onto a
football field.

Best of luck to all of you, the team, the fans, and the New Orleans
community. I've rooted hard for the Saints every game of the season, how
could you not?

This will be the exception.

I'm sure it will be a game for the ages.

See you in Miami ,
James Secoloff