The state of Indiana sports is as healthy as it has ever been. The Indiana Pacers are a viable contender, the Indianapolis Colts look ready to challenge for a playoff spot now that star young quarterback Anthony Richardson is recovered from his injury, and Caitlin Clark is helping change the game with the WNBA's Indiana Fever.
With all due respect to Richardson and Jonathan Taylor, it's not hyperbole to suggest that Clark, who is starting to run away with the WNBA Rookie of the Year Award, is the biggest sports star in the state of Indiana right now. With a significant chunk of the WNBA's recent increase in viewership coming as a result of new fans checking her play out, Clark has become her own industry.
With the Fever running into a few off days after their win against the Seattle Storm, Clark decided to continue her voyage around the Indiana sports scene by sitting up in a luxury box during the Colts' preseason game against the Arizona Cardinals.
Clark and boyfriend Connor McCaffrey took in the sights and sounds from Indianapolis' 21-13 victory. Born and raised in Iowa, Clark was one of many who worshipped Peyton Manning and his elite Colts teams when she was growing up.
2️⃣2️⃣ in the building! pic.twitter.com/GKegAAt3VP
— Indianapolis Colts (@Colts) August 18, 2024
Caitlin Clark attends Indianapolis Colts' preseason win vs. Cardinals
Clark has spoken in the past about how Peyton Manning was her favorite athlete growing up. Perhaps following in Manning's footsteps, Clark is putting up record-breaking numbers despite playing on a team that is below .500 and learning how to piece some wins together.
It looks like the Clark effect must have rubbed off on the rest of the Colts. After an up-and-down debut in a loss to the Denver Broncos, Shane Steichen and Indianapolis looked much more robust against a Cardinals team that is lacking in depth.
Kedon Slovis was efficient from the pocket, supreme athlete Jason Bean put on another impressive showing as he tries to stick around long-term and three different Colts runners (Bean included) ran for touchdowns to seal the victory over Arizona and move to 1-1 in the preseason.
As Clark and the Fever chase their first playoff series win in years after being stuck at the bottom of the WNBA for so long, Richardson and the Colts will try to match that energy and show the AFC South they can't be discounted as a possible division winner.