How can you watch Colts games with so many injuries to top players?

[Yoshinator]

I had to start a thread on this that some people may feel is stupid, but it's something that Colts fans go through every year more than most teams it seems. How can you, as a Colts fan, watch week after week, without letting it bother you that so many top players seem to be out every week for us? I couldn't even care to watch last year knowing AR was out most of the year and that Minshew was our QB, yet he wouldn't either be on the team or the starter when AR returned. We had the same issues with Luck a lot, AR is injury prone early in his career, and Taylor is missing time too. 

 

I just can't have fun knowing Taylor is out this week. It hurts as a Colts fan, it hurts as a fantasy player who owns him, it just lowers any level of interest I have when he is the one that is holding this offense together. How is AR supposed to develop when his RB is out like this? All the players that are out seem to be important players like Moore, Paye, Taylor, Ekubam and Brents for the year, and of course whenever we try to run it with AR, he gets hurt.

 

I just don't see how Colts fans can continuously stay interested when we seem to get the worst injuries to the most important players. Please help me with this. Maybe you guys have a viewpoint that can help me. I'm just so over the injuries that seem to happen to our top players every year, and we don't have a chance to compete or develop anyone. Ruins my fan experience.

 

Thanks.

[RollerColt]

I’m sorry you feel this way. I’ve struggled with it in the past. I’ve made a post a few weeks back but it bears repeating:

 

I used to get irrationally angry watching Colts games. It was bad. It was violent. Looking back, it was embarrassing.

 

What finally changed for me was seeing the look of fear in my little children’s eyes staring up at me with tears. It… washed away my cares for the Colts. That probably sounds bad, but I no longer care as much about what happens with the team. It was one my entire persona. It was as if my own personal happiness stemmed from the team’s success. 
 

All I can tell you is that at some point you’ll learn to separate the Colts from your personal identify. 
 

There are other things truly more worthy of your worries and stress than a football team. I promise you. 
 

Be well and cherish life. I recently lost a great friend in NC due to the horrible flooding. Life is too short to waste it away fretting over the Colts. 

[Yoshinator]

1 minute ago, RollerColt said:

I’m sorry you feel this way. I’ve struggled with it in the past. I’ve made a post a few weeks back but it bears repeating:

 

I used to get irrationally angry watching Colts games. It was bad. It was violent. Looking back, it was embarrassing.

 

What finally changed for me was seeing the look of fear in my little children’s eyes staring up at me with tears. It… washed away my cares for the Colts. That probably sounds bad, but I no longer care as much about what happens with the team. It was one my entire persona. It was as if my own personal happiness stemmed from the team’s success. 
 

All I can tell you is that at some point you’ll learn to separate the Colts from your personal identify. 
 

There are other things truly more worthy of your worries and stress than a football team. I promise you. 
 

Be well and cherish life. I recently lost a great friend in NC due to the horrible flooding. Life is too short to waste it away fretting over the Colts. 

I know this doesn't compare to your children, but I have genuinely put in an effort as well not to yell or get violent since I've got my Labrador Retriever 2 1/2 years ago. She is my life, and I always want her to be comfortable around me. I've finally got on some good medication that has lowered my outbursts, and I'm probably living a better life than I have since 2011 which was the last year I had a huge social life and was traveling and playing pokemon with all my best friends. 

 

I just enjoy sports a ton and is still a mini-escape from life. I want to feel like I can enjoy a journey that my team can win a championship. If we lose, that's one thing and I'm fine with it as long as there is maximum effort given. When we lose and it's due to circumstances out of our control (injuries) seemingly every year, that's when I become apathetic towards the team over time.

 

The Atlanta Braves had a horrible season with injuries this year, but because we won a WS three years ago and make the playoffs every year, it's more forgivable. When we just lose every year, or the times we win it's a QB like Rivers who has 1 year with us and he retires, I just give up. I have no control to fix the team myself, and I resort to playing Madden instead.

 

Also, I'm sorry that you lost your friend in NC due to the flooding. That has to be horrible to go through. I have a bunch of friends in the South who lost power for 3 1/2 days and a cousin in Florida whose house got destroyed and she has to move in with her sister now. That hurricane sucked for so many people.

[Restinpeacesweetchloe]

I will just say this. I thought for sure with all the injuries they were going to get beat by Steelers. I was shocked how well they played. It might look bad for Sunday but let’s have a little faith. I think we might be turning s corner with having a better coach then what we have had in the past. Hopefully we are less streaky and more consistent with Shane.

[Restinpeacesweetchloe]

47 minutes ago, RollerColt said:

I’m sorry you feel this way. I’ve struggled with it in the past. I’ve made a post a few weeks back but it bears repeating:

 

I used to get irrationally angry watching Colts games. It was bad. It was violent. Looking back, it was embarrassing.

 

What finally changed for me was seeing the look of fear in my little children’s eyes staring up at me with tears. It… washed away my cares for the Colts. That probably sounds bad, but I no longer care as much about what happens with the team. It was one my entire persona. It was as if my own personal happiness stemmed from the team’s success. 
 

All I can tell you is that at some point you’ll learn to separate the Colts from your personal identify. 
 

There are other things truly more worthy of your worries and stress than a football team. I promise you. 
 

Be well and cherish life. I recently lost a great friend in NC due to the horrible flooding. Life is too short to waste it away fretting over the Colts. 

I feel you here. I can much easier let a loss roll off back now. Not nearly as emotional. Yes I still feel a tiny bit sad during the week after a loss but it’s much less emotional for me now.

[ProblChld32]

Easy I don’t watch for one player, I watch for the TEAM. It’s always next man up anytime a player goes down and I’ll be rooting for that next man up to do well. I’ll be rooting for the team to do well. It’s an emotional roller coaster being a fan. You went from having Peyton Manning and during that era knowing they would dominate the NFL. To having having Curtis Painter, Dan Orlovsky , Kerry Collins, to Andrew Luck, Scott Tolzien , Jacoby Brissett, Brian Hoyer, Phillip Rivers , Matt Hassellback , Josh Freeman, Matt Ryan, Carson Wentz , Sam Ehlinger, Nick Foles as a starting QB under center at one point or another between 1998-2022. In 2023 we watched mostly Minshew play and now we have AR at the helm. It was very much so up and down and it was good at times and then went down hill but I stuck with them through thick and thin through the good times and the bad times. It’s apart of being a fan, it’s not always going to be glitz and glamorous. I would say try to remove the emotion from it and honestly look at it for what it is, which is entertainment. Try not to get too emotionally invested in a something that doesn’t pay you or put food on your table. 

[IinD]

I root for the shoe honestly. I'd root for this entire forum if you folks suited up. Lol

 

Being a fan of a team isn't strictly about winning. That all started with the internet and Brady in New England. 

 

I love the whole concept of watching 'my' team on a Sunday wearing a Colts sweatshirt and having a good meal. It's entertainment.

 

I feel like the Colts are my kid honestly. I'd never turn my back on them and I'll root for them regardless of record or who's on the team.

[GoColts8818]

I am a Colts fan I cheer for them during good times and bad.

[Yoshinator]

14 minutes ago, ProblChld32 said:

Easy I don’t watch for one player, I watch for the TEAM. It’s always next man up anytime a player goes down and I’ll be rooting for that next man up to do well. I’ll be rooting for the team to do well. It’s an emotional roller coaster being a fan. You went from having Peyton Manning and during that era knowing they would dominate the NFL. To having having Curtis Painter, Dan Orlovsky , Kerry Collins, to Andrew Luck, Scott Tolzien , Jacoby Brissett, Brian Hoyer, Phillip Rivers , Matt Hassellback , Josh Freeman, Matt Ryan, Carson Wentz , Sam Ehlinger, Nick Foles as a starting QB under center at one point or another between 1998-2022. In 2023 we watched mostly Minshew play and now we have AR at the helm. It was very much so up and down and it was good at times and then went down hill but I stuck with them through thick and thin through the good times and the bad times. It’s apart of being a fan, it’s not always going to be glitz and glamorous. I would say try to remove the emotion from it and honestly look at it for what it is, which is entertainment. Try not to get too emotionally invested in a something that doesn’t pay you or put food on your table. 

 

2 minutes ago, IinD said:

I root for the shoe honestly. I'd root for this entire forum if you folks suited up. Lol

 

Being a fan of a team isn't strictly about winning. That all started with the internet and Brady in New England. 

 

I love the whole concept of watching 'my' team on a Sunday wearing a Colts sweatshirt and having a good meal. It's entertainment.

 

I feel like the Colts are my kid honestly. I'd never turn my back on them and I'll root for them regardless of record or who's on the team.

This is probably the right answer to root specifically for the team. My issue right now is I play fantasy football and bestball, and I'm impatient to make the playoffs every year and have a franchise QB again. So I'll probably have to try and get into this mindset. It'll just be really hard for me.

[ProblChld32]

1 hour ago, Yoshinator said:

 

This is probably the right answer to root specifically for the team. My issue right now is I play fantasy football and bestball, and I'm impatient to make the playoffs every year and have a franchise QB again. So I'll probably have to try and get into this mindset. It'll just be really hard for me.

Id say avoid drafting or taking players from your team that you’re a fan of. I’m an avid fantasy guy and also a sports bettor. I literally will avoid taking any Colts players In fantasy and also during the week in fantasy football I avoid taking the props of the players I’m playing against. I never want to wish bad on anyone so for that very reason I avoid those guys. For me personally it has helped tremendously, I can still enjoy the game without bias. 

[Indianapolis-Colts-Fan]

Find a hobby. Listen to the game instead of watching it while you do that hobby, or home maintenance. I’ve been really busy during this football season and am watching less games. I haven’t been able to watch a full game yet this year. Just can’t afford to waste 3+ hours on Sundays anymore. So if I can I’ll listen to the game otherwise I’ve got things to do. So my advice would be that if you find a hobby or enjoy working on things around the house, listening to the game while doing those things can be more enjoyable. 

[Believe blue1306]

1 hour ago, Indianapolis-Colts-Fan said:

Find a hobby. Listen to the game instead of watching it while you do that hobby, or home maintenance. I’ve been really busy during this football season and am watching less games. I haven’t been able to watch a full game yet this year. Just can’t afford to waste 3+ hours on Sundays anymore. So if I can I’ll listen to the game otherwise I’ve got things to do. So my advice would be that if you find a hobby or enjoy working on things around the house, listening to the game while doing those things can be more enjoyable. 

I don’t listen to games anymore because I don’t work on Sundays anymore. But man sometimes listening to the game is better than watching it. Kinda miss Matt Taylor getting all pumped.. 

I-N-D-Y lol 

[Patrick Miller]

Sometimes when an elite player goes down a diamond in the rough is found! I don’t get wrapped up in the colts like I used to. If they are playing terrible I usually find something else to do or watch.I don’t let it affect my whole day.

[holeymoley99]

I always look at it as backups having the chance to shine and cement their place in long term plans. We saw Womack shine (A few of us really liked the signing some were like eh), Sermon and Goodson have a chance to show Steelers game last year was not a 1 game fluke. Land and Gotsis will get chances tomorrow. Some of these guys are playing to stay in the league and giving all they have out there. Love it they get opportunities and hope some cash in big time.

[Indianapolis-Colts-Fan]

4 hours ago, Believe blue1306 said:

I don’t listen to games anymore because I don’t work on Sundays anymore. But man sometimes listening to the game is better than watching it. Kinda miss Matt Taylor getting all pumped.. 

I-N-D-Y lol 

yeah he is really good. He can make everything sound like the best play he’s ever seen lol 

[ColtsGermany]

Just be a die hard fan!

No seriously, this league is often crazy. You never know what happens and you always have hope for the miracle.

I can only compare it to soccer.....my team played in last seasons cup final as a 2nd league team against the National champion Leverkusen. We didn't have a chance from the start. But I watched anyway, because I'm a fan and always hope for the miracle. 

 

Just watch the game, be happy if we win and try to take positives from anything you can get in case we lose.

[jvan1973]

Like this

 

[ShuteAt168]

Bad Colts football still beats cleaning the garage. 

[IinD]

27 minutes ago, ShuteAt168 said:

Bad Colts football still beats cleaning the garage. 

[horseshoepower]

It gave Chris Lammons, a highlight moment that possibly wouldn't have happened, I remember how decimated we were in the game with Pittsburgh last season, and Sermon & Goodson, played exceptional, you just root for the next person up, some players are injury prone, some like Buckner, have several years without a missed game, and then it happens. The last five minutes against the Bears, where every minute another Colts defender was on the ground, I agree, I don't need to see that again, that is demoralizing.

[RollerColt]

13 hours ago, ProblChld32 said:

Easy I don’t watch for one player, I watch for the TEAM. It’s always next man up anytime a player goes down and I’ll be rooting for that next man up to do well. I’ll be rooting for the team to do well. It’s an emotional roller coaster being a fan. You went from having Peyton Manning and during that era knowing they would dominate the NFL. To having having Curtis Painter, Dan Orlovsky , Kerry Collins, to Andrew Luck, Scott Tolzien , Jacoby Brissett, Brian Hoyer, Phillip Rivers , Matt Hassellback , Josh Freeman, Matt Ryan, Carson Wentz , Sam Ehlinger, Nick Foles as a starting QB under center at one point or another between 1998-2022. In 2023 we watched mostly Minshew play and now we have AR at the helm. It was very much so up and down and it was good at times and then went down hill but I stuck with them through thick and thin through the good times and the bad times. It’s apart of being a fan, it’s not always going to be glitz and glamorous. I would say try to remove the emotion from it and honestly look at it for what it is, which is entertainment. Try not to get too emotionally invested in a something that doesn’t pay you or put food on your table. 

Excellent post and perfectly stated. Players and staff will come and go, but the Shoe will remain. For the Colts until the end.

[Mighty Blue]

I am in my garage right now watching Penn St and UCLA. I have so much clutter but pretty much all of it is my stuff.🤗

I am working on my Halloween costume which is a robot out of cardboard boxes from Amazon and Sam’s Club.

Once I go inside, my wife will hand me a honey do list 🫥

 What else can I do in my garage?

You guys are lucky to see Colts games

but when I am off on Sundays and catch a Colts games somehow,

at half time, I go in my backyard and play Colts horseshoes.

Injuries happen but I also like looking at all the fans cheering for our team.

Someday, my wife and I will be part of that crowd. 
Go, Colts!

[Chrisaaron1023]

Easy no expectations..  I used to have heart palpitations before manning colts would play because we were expected to win. 

 

Now we can even play a QB under 30. So I just watch because I like the colts. And maybe one day something good will happen. Untill then let's go another 35+ QB!!

 

[1959Colts]

I have found, that sometimes, these so called "top players" end up being upstaged by their backups, when the reserve players are given a chance, with first team reps.

[Dunk]

18 hours ago, Yoshinator said:

I had to start a thread on this that some people may feel is stupid, but it's something that Colts fans go through every year more than most teams it seems. How can you, as a Colts fan, watch week after week, without letting it bother you that so many top players seem to be out every week for us? I couldn't even care to watch last year knowing AR was out most of the year and that Minshew was our QB, yet he wouldn't either be on the team or the starter when AR returned. We had the same issues with Luck a lot, AR is injury prone early in his career, and Taylor is missing time too. 

 

I just can't have fun knowing Taylor is out this week. It hurts as a Colts fan, it hurts as a fantasy player who owns him, it just lowers any level of interest I have when he is the one that is holding this offense together. How is AR supposed to develop when his RB is out like this? All the players that are out seem to be important players like Moore, Paye, Taylor, Ekubam and Brents for the year, and of course whenever we try to run it with AR, he gets hurt.

 

I just don't see how Colts fans can continuously stay interested when we seem to get the worst injuries to the most important players. Please help me with this. Maybe you guys have a viewpoint that can help me. I'm just so over the injuries that seem to happen to our top players every year, and we don't have a chance to compete or develop anyone. Ruins my fan experience.

 

Thanks.

Lot of good replies in this thread! Good job folks.

I remember going to a game in 97?

Harbaugh and Justin were both Injured. Kelly Holcomb was the starter. His back up was Kerwin Bell, who was coaching Jr. High football in Canada the week before.

Holcomb broke his hand during the game but finished, cause that kid was tough.

We probably would have won that game, but the Colt's D knocked Jeff Blake out and Boomer came off the bench and killed us.

I guess my point is, whoever is on the field wearing a Colt's uniform, is who I am rooting for.

As it turned out, it was probably a good thing we lost. If we had won, we might have ended up drafting Leaf.