Why did Frank Reich reach out to the Vikings after their historic comeback against the Colts?
Indy’s former head coach, Frank Reich, reached out to the Minnesota Vikings after their historic comeback win over the Indianapolis Colts.
On Saturday, the Minnesota Vikings made history against the Indianapolis Colts by completing the largest comeback in NFL history. Indy was up 33-0 at halftime but ultimately lost 39-36. This has resulted in the Colts receiving a lot of criticism and mockery while the Vikings have been getting praise and congratulations. Following the game, Minnesota was contacted by a somewhat unlikely person: Frank Reich, the former head coach for the Colts.
Why would Reich be reaching out to the Vikings after they just embarrassed the team that Reich started the season with? Well, it wasn’t a move made out of spite because the Colts fired him recently. Reich actually reached out to Minnesota’s quarterback, Kirk Cousins, to congratulate him and pass him the comeback torch. The previous record for the largest comeback in NFL history was 32 points, held by the 1992 Buffalo Bills who were led by Reich at quarterback during his playing days.
Kirk Cousins to Peter King: Frank Reich, QB behind the NFL's previous biggest comeback, texted Cousins with a powerful message after the Vikings' historic win over the Colts -- the new biggest comeback in NFL history: pic.twitter.com/faPLhSDLSE
— Stephen Holder (@HolderStephen) December 19, 2022
Frank Reich passes the torch to Kirk Cousins
Detailed by Peter King, Cousins described the message he saw from Reich when he returned to the locker room as “a powerful text,” and said that his already high respect for Frank Reich “went through the roof” after seeing the message. Cousins admitted that he took Reich’s words to heart and Reich is glad that he did, as he explained in his own conversation with Peter King.
Reich explained to King how his experience leading the 32-point comeback has allowed Reich to “encourage lots of people…some with football lessons, some with lessons of spirituality.” Reich is hoping that Kirk Cousins can have the same experience, even though he admitted that it was strange to watch the record go, saying, “I thought I was going to be clinging to the record, and it’s sort of an honor to have the record. But I am happy it’s Kirk.”
As far as watching the record happen against his former team, a team that he is still admittedly emotionally invested in, Reich explained that was also “a weird dynamic.” He explained that he’s always pulling for all the players and coaches he’s worked with. However, those players and coaches may soon become opponents for Reich.
Just a few weeks ago, after returning to Indianapolis for an event, Reich admitted that he is hoping to get back on the sidelines. It’s likely that he’ll eventually cross paths with the Colts again.
