An Indianapolis Colts Fan's Perspective on Losing Peyton Manning

It’s become almost certain that Peyton Manning will not take the field again for my beloved Indianapolis Colts.

Back in the preseason when rumors spread that there was a real possibility of Manning missing the entire season for the Colts, I, like most fans, couldn’t fathom the thought of No. 18 not running out the tunnel in Lucas Oil Stadium at some point during the season.

As the season progressed, the news got worse. Would he ever play again? “Are you kidding me?” “Of course he will!” I shouted. After all, this is Peyton Manning we’re talking about!

Laser Rocket Arm. Never missed a game before this year. Former Colts coach Tony Dungy assured America that Peyton would have to be dead not to take the field this year, and now we’re hearing he may never play again?

I couldn’t wrap my mind around it.

The brutal season finally ended. The only highlight for me was Reggie Wayne catching the game-winning touchdown at home against the Houston Texans, in what was most likely his last game as a Colt. (See Video.)

The Colts finished 2-14, and clinched the first pick in the draft: Andrew Luck. Quarterback. Stanford.

Colts owner Jim Irsay spread tales of Manning and Luck co-existing, while I wondered, “How could that possibly work?” “You’ve got to trade that pick!” “Load up on draft picks and one or two established veterans, and make one final run with Peyton.”

Then Irsay cleaned house, firing Bill and Chris Polian, then Jim Caldwell. Irsay’s tales of Manning and Luck co-existing changed to exclamations of ‘Rebuilding’ and ‘New Era.’ The doubt of Manning playing another down for the Colts grew stronger. I still couldn’t believe what was unfolding.

Then it got worse. Manning sat down with Bob Kravitz of the Indianapolis Star, shared some negative feelings he had about what was going on at W 56th St., and overall sounded like a guy who was saying goodbye.

Jim Irsay, upset with Manning’s comments, fired back, calling Manning a “politician,” and saying he should keep things “in house.”

Sadness and disbelief entrenched Colts Land.

Not only did it seem like a foregone conclusion that our savior, the man who brought a Super Bowl championship to Indianapolis, a man who built Lucas Oil Stadium, and made football king in the state of Indiana, would be leaving for good in a matter of months, but it was turning ugly, and fast, according to Hair of the Dog Sports Blog.

Then, like parents on the verge of a divorce, trying to comfort their children, Irsay and Manning came out with a statement basically saying they’re still friends and would handle the situation as gracefully as possible (via Indianapolis Star).

They both know what’s coming. Now we know for sure too. We won’t see Peyton Manning in a Colts uniform again. He will be cut on or before March 8th.

That’s painful to think, let alone say.

Colts fans have been spoiled for a long time. We knew we always had a chance with No. 18 under center. Not just a chance to win that particular Sunday, but a chance to win on Super Bowl Sunday—every year.

And just like that, it’s gone.

Sure, it’s the smart thing to do. Rebuild with Andrew Luck at quarterback. And in a few years, maybe they’ll be back at the level Manning had them at. And maybe we, as Colts fans, will again feel we always have a chance, this time with No. 12 under center.

But it won’t be the same. Especially if Manning trots in to Lucas Oil Stadium with a Dolphins, Redskins or GASP! A Jets jersey. It will never be the same.

This article is from the Hair of the Dog Sports Blog. Follow me on Twitter @coldy4goldy.