I have to admit, if I had gone to the Colts game on Sunday I would have left pretty angry and not because the team lost.
Like many people in this economy I have had a hard time coming by solid employment opportunities these days. What money I do earn has to go to bills. Thank God the NFL has yet to start charging to watch regular season games on TV- oh, wait, they have. But I would not have been suprised if my wife would have bought me tickets knowing how much I would enjoy the game.
The cheapest seats in the house are $44. She would have gotten two so she could come with me. Parking would have been at least $15 if not $20. That puts us over $100 and that is only if we do not get any refreshments; a couple drinks and a snack could easily cost $20 putting the overall bill around $125. That is a $125 for a game that resembled the first preseason game of the year more than it did the home finale of the regular season.
Indianapolis, much like the rest of the nation has been hit hard by these economic times. In October, the unemployment rate for the state sat at 9.8%, just a shade below the national average of 10%. For some being able to escape for a few hours each Sunday either at home or at the stadium gives them the much need relief from the day to day grind. Even though times are tough, Lucas Oil Stadium has been filled to capacity for every single game.
Without the fans the team would be no where (or maybe looking to escape in the middle of the night in shame like another infamous team did a few years back). All the fans want is a team they can be proud of; one they can look forward to supporting. Not a team that is going to throw in the towel after a little more than a half of sub-par play and then say they want to operate on all cylinders.
Shame on you Colts. Shame on you for making us believe. Shame on you for not giving your all.
Since this decision was not from the players, but the coach and GM let me rephrase that- shame on you Caldwell and Polian. You owe us.