Manning is Returning to Indy

Well he's not returning to Indy the way I would love for him to... to be a Colt again. Nearly two years ago I felt like I had my heart broken when news broke that Indy and Manning were parting ways. It was like a horrible breakup that you never saw coming. Manning was coming back from his injury and we all were anticipating a great season with him. But just like that, dreams were shattered. It was an emotional release felt by all Colts fans. As awesome as I think Andrew Luck is, I still feel sad when I watch Manning throwing passes for the Broncos. I can't help but root for him every week. I miss him.

I still haven't gotten over the breakup, I've just tucked it away in hopes of it not coming back. But it's about to surface again... But this past Sunday during the Cowboys and Redskins night game, they began playing Diddy ft. Skylar Grey song "I'm Coming Home" and showed Manning saying goodbye to Indy. This brought back a flood of emotions: sadness, anger, hurt, respect, loyalty, jealousy... and the list goes on. This is the man I watched every Sunday growing up in Indy. I wasn't one of those kids that started watching NFL religiously from the age of six. I didn't start really watching and paying attention until about 2000. So he's the only quarterback I knew in Indy.

I was angry with Jim Irsay when I heard the news that Manning was no longer a Colt. Actually I was pissed! Everything Manning had done for Indy, the community, the team. Some non-Colt fans criticize me for not looking at the bigger picture and understanding why Irsay did what he did. I get it, I do. But that doesn't mean I think it was right. I'm big on loyalty. If I were the owner, I would have drafted Luck and had him sit behind Manning and learn from one of history's greatest quarterbacks to ever play the game. I would have let Manning retire in Indy, the city that loves him dearly. And you will never understand how I feel until this happens to your team. So to those of you who think I'm wrong for supporting Manning now that he's a Bronco, you just don't get it. 

Sunday night will be filled with lots of emotions. While first and foremost I root for the Colts, I can't help but love Manning. On my fantasy team I have Manning and Luck as my quarterbacks. Who do you think I'm playing this week? Sorry, but I pick Manning. I mean I still have him in a Colts uniform as the backdrop on my phone. I just can't let go and move on, not yet. Although the release was almost two years ago, it's still an open wound to me, one that won't heal for a long time and will leave a nasty scar... I'm anxious for Sunday night to see how things unfold. I just know that that no matter what happens, Manning will bring class, respect and love, as he has never shown us anything different.