Posted
·
Edited by Maureen Personal Shot at moderators
Fireman818
I feel you man. I came to that crossroad 5 years ago, and pulled the trigger (I.e. stopped being a fan 4 years ago). Like you I was dedicated and supported the team with a passion ... for years ... all the while watching Polian's star grow ... while his ego manifested into a monster. This continued until Polian was driving (almost single-handedly) the franchise towards mediocrity.
Like many fans, I protested one Polian decision after another (from keeping Dungy to hiring Caldwell and almost everything in between). Maybe I had become jaded but It seemed evident to me (at the time) that the franchise was Polian's from top to bottom ... that his power had grown beyond any GMs purview ...and that Irsay was content to leave it that way. To bad owners can't be fired.
As a non-fan my first year was tough. I found it difficult (almost impossible really) to not follow the team ... but was commited to my decision. The second year was different ... I was managing to NOT care ... and it was surprisingly liberating as a football fan. I was able to follow other teams ... looking for one I can adopt ... and enjoying the process. Oh sure, I tuned in to Coltstopia now and then but I had disconnected the emotional chains. I was able to look at what was going on with clarity around the league and concluded my decision to stop being a Coilts fan was the correct one. I was watching grewat football players, coaching, and GMing and was loving it.
When the Colts had their second SB run and were winning game after game, I found myself rooting for them again. I was not a fan then ... heck I had even left Indy and was working in Montana ... so it was weird ... but there you have it ... I was still emotionaly connected. I found myself chuckling at how much Manning and the team mattered to me still. Then it happened again, ANOTHER Polian decision to rest manning against the NY Jets and I lost my mind. And the Colts lost the SB a short while later. I was heart-broken and ticked because one man and his ego could not let the team be what thay could be.
Then came last year. For me it was the ultimate proof of how much this man had gutted the franchise. I found myself watching in disbelief. Not even in my worst case scenario could I have imagined that the team was that hapless.
So here we are. My final analysis is this:
You may stop rooting ... you may stop watching ... you may even move away ... but if you were ever a true fan ... It is impossible to STOP caring ... it is impossible to stop BEING ONE.
Let's hope this cleaning house continues ... ... and that the franchise rises (hopefully around Manning) once again
Please, Tell Me Why I Should Remain A Colts Fan!
in Colts Football
Posted · Edited by Maureen
Personal Shot at moderators
Fireman818
I feel you man. I came to that crossroad 5 years ago, and pulled the trigger (I.e. stopped being a fan 4 years ago). Like you I was dedicated and supported the team with a passion ... for years ... all the while watching Polian's star grow ... while his ego manifested into a monster. This continued until Polian was driving (almost single-handedly) the franchise towards mediocrity.
Like many fans, I protested one Polian decision after another (from keeping Dungy to hiring Caldwell and almost everything in between). Maybe I had become jaded but It seemed evident to me (at the time) that the franchise was Polian's from top to bottom ... that his power had grown beyond any GMs purview ...and that Irsay was content to leave it that way. To bad owners can't be fired.
As a non-fan my first year was tough. I found it difficult (almost impossible really) to not follow the team ... but was commited to my decision. The second year was different ... I was managing to NOT care ... and it was surprisingly liberating as a football fan. I was able to follow other teams ... looking for one I can adopt ... and enjoying the process. Oh sure, I tuned in to Coltstopia now and then but I had disconnected the emotional chains. I was able to look at what was going on with clarity around the league and concluded my decision to stop being a Coilts fan was the correct one. I was watching grewat football players, coaching, and GMing and was loving it.
When the Colts had their second SB run and were winning game after game, I found myself rooting for them again. I was not a fan then ... heck I had even left Indy and was working in Montana ... so it was weird ... but there you have it ... I was still emotionaly connected. I found myself chuckling at how much Manning and the team mattered to me still. Then it happened again, ANOTHER Polian decision to rest manning against the NY Jets and I lost my mind. And the Colts lost the SB a short while later. I was heart-broken and ticked because one man and his ego could not let the team be what thay could be.
Then came last year. For me it was the ultimate proof of how much this man had gutted the franchise. I found myself watching in disbelief. Not even in my worst case scenario could I have imagined that the team was that hapless.
So here we are. My final analysis is this:
You may stop rooting ... you may stop watching ... you may even move away ... but if you were ever a true fan ... It is impossible to STOP caring ... it is impossible to stop BEING ONE.
Let's hope this cleaning house continues ... ... and that the franchise rises (hopefully around Manning) once again
GroundZero