Nice thread, good stories from all.
Born and raised 120 miles south of Indy.
I didn't have a strong favorite NFL team before the Colts came to town, but I had followed the Raiders some because I liked to watch the Snake and Fred Biletnikoff. Dad was a Steelers fan so we always enjoyed some good natured trash talk.
After the Colts arrived here I figured I would follow them and the rest is history.
As others have stated, there were times in the early years that this team would be viewed as encouraging. It did get bad enough that the home games didn't all sell out.
I remember home games being blacked out, and watching other games with the sound off on the TV while I listened to Lamey's broadcast on the radio.
Thankfully the 95 team was awesome and rekindled some interest. I started attending a few games myself.
Of course everybody knows the rest of the story we draft Peyton and get to enjoy many years of great football, and a few with Luck afterward.