I’ve grown to really like Peyton Manning and the Indianapolis Colts. Being Australian, I took some time to adjust to the American way of sporting life. Not because I don’t like sport, I love sport, rather I wanted to hold on to the sports I hold dear and true. But over the past few seasons I have grown into the sport, made sure I read and understood the sport, and now follow the sport. And my attachment is with the Indianapolis Colts.

Why? I’m a fan of any player who plays with the right spirit, the right heart, and displays their class on and off the field. I watched Peyton Manning chase down Dan Marino’s touchdown passing record last year. He had the opportunity to get that go ahead pass at home as the season came to a close. With a slender lead he was asked to take a knee and ensure the victory, yet wait on achieving that record many said would never be broken. Imagine being within a grasp of all-time glory in *anything*, let alone a sport followed by millions. That had to be hard to take. With minimum fuss he took the knee, achieved the win, and came out the following week on the road to claim his record.

And then it hurt when the Colts lost to New England, again, in the Championship game. Never before had I had *any* emotion tied up in an American Football game, until then. And now, going into the 2005/06 season the Colts are the only undefeated team after 6 games. This makes me happy.

Tonight was something special. I got home a tad late from work, flipped on the sound as it was muted, and watched as Mark Bulger of St. Louis throw a long pass for a touchdown and a lead over the Colts of 17-0 in the first quarter! I could hardly believe my eyes, after the first 5 games the Colts had only given up 29 points. In 5 games. Here was 17 in one quarter alone! I had been believing that the Colts had found the ingredient they lacked for Superbowl Success, a good defence. Perhaps my coming home to watch them spurred them on, as they proceeded to score 14 unanswered points and come back to be 14-20 down at half time.

And right after the half their defense exploded. Turnovers, both from forced fumbles and intercepts. They converted those into touchdowns. Suddenly it was 31-20 in the Colts favour. But another record had been looming all night, the one that made this night special. Peyton manning and Marvin Harrison were tied for first in the all time Quarterback-Receiver touchdown passes on 85. They needed one TD pass for the sole record. Harrison had been kept quiet all night. But suddenly a slight hand gesture from Manning and Harrison knew exactly what to do. He slanted out in the end zone and caught a pass floated high over the defenders head. To the naked eye it looked like Harrison had stepped out of bounds before completing the catch, but the official disagreed and as it would soon prove, video evidence also disagreed! Harrison made getting his feet down look just too easy! The record was broken. Another record that was not supposed to be broken. Free agents and class Quarterbacks / Wide Receivers being rare to stay together for long periods of time.

Another touchdown shortly thereafter, and suddenly the score was 45-20 and Indianapolis had outscored St. Louis 45-3 since being down by 17. This was the defense I had enjoyed watching!

Which brings me to my next reason why I like the Colts. These guys, plus many more such as Edgarrin James the Running Back, have stuck with Indianapolis over many years. They haven’t tasted the glory yet. But they remain true in a fast paced league where money and power easily draws players to other teams. Well done on the record, mates, and here’s hoping from one Australian Rugby and Cricket fan convert, that Superbowl Glory finds its way to Indianapolis this season!