Colts longing to welcome new QB Andrew Luck to Indianapolis-NFL News
The Indianapolis Colts have started setting stage to welcome their future’s quarterback, Andrew Luck, a Stanford College player, as the management confirmed to be definite about his signing off the draft to be held on Thursday, April 26, 2012.
The team has finally removed the banner offering gratitude to their former QB, Peyton Manning, which was hung outside the team’s Lucas Oil Stadium since 2008.
Lately, the managers had added the note “Thank you Manning” to the earlier description of the banner.
The banner was let hung there even though Manning was released by Colts on March 07. His waiver came a day before the $28 million bonus payment deadline of March 08, which could have facilitated him to play more for the team.
His NFL career since joining Colts as a draft player in 1998 was stretched over 14 years.
Colts are going to sign Luck now who is the top draft prize for this year and Colts, courtesy of their worst past season, qualify for his signing.
The team’ fans and staff are anxiously waiting for the arrival of Luck and removal of the banner is part of their ceremonious preparations to welcome him.
However, Colts denied they had removed the banner with Peyton Manning’s legacy inscribed on it because of Luck’s arrival.
Interestingly, according to Colts’ chief operating officer, Pete Ward, the decision of removing the banner had come due to the availability of a crane in the area.
The banner, which was hung quite high, needed such a facility for taking it down and the team opted to make use of the crane to remove the banner.
Such a banner was displayed outside RCA Dome before the team moved to Lucas Stadium.
Manning was very popular among local fans and officials as he helped their team to record a number of milestone achievements over the period he played for them.
Colts’ owner, Jim Irsay, has already announced to retire no 18 jersey Peyton wore as a Colt.
Tags: