Sad day for Indiana

I have only lived in Indiana for a little over a year, so I still consider myself an outsider, but I am probably just as upset at the days news as native Hoosiers.  Jim Irsay and the Indianapolis colts made official today, what many have feared since the Colts finished with the NFL worst 2-14 record, and earned the top pick in the draft.  But this isn't just a story that effects Hoosiers alone, it has affected people all over the country.  That is fitting, considering Peyton Manning is much bigger than the Indianapolis Colts.  There are, of course, mixed feelings on the issue.  Most are upset with Irsay, and rightfully so.  But there are a few who feel that Peyton Manning isn't as big or important as people have built him up to be.  I disagree VERY much with the last statement, and share the sentiments of most Peyton Manning fans.  I remember the debate before the 1998 NFL draft.  Will the Colts use the #1 pick to select Peyton Manning or Ryan Leaf?  Both were reguarded as the top QB's to come out of college in several years, and the type of QB you could build a franchise around.  The Colts selected Manning, and the rest is history.  And as of today, that's exactly what it is.  History.  The question is, what kind of history.  Peyton Manning was not just another person to wear a Colts uniform.  Since moving to Indianapolis is 1984 and before Manning came to Indy, they were mediocre at best.  After drafting Manning, 14 years ago, they have had 2 loosing seasons.  That means 12 years of winning records, playoff appearances, 2 Super Bowls in 4 years, winning one of them.  And 1 of those loosing seasons was this year, where he sat out because of injury.  As a starter, he was 12 out of 13.  Even John Elway, Joe Montana, and Dan Marino had loosing seasons.  Manning has been dubbed, rightfully so, as one of the greatest QB's to play the game.  His biggest threat is not his physical abilities, but his mind.  Oh, and lets not forget the 4 MVP awards, more than any other QB in NFL history.  I became a believer when they Colts came to Kansas City following the 2003 season.  I watched in awe, as Manning single handedly picked apart the Chiefs defense.  I knew after that game, he would be one of the greatest ever.  So needless to say, Colts fans have become accustomed to winning.  That made this past season especially tough for Colts fans.  But winning is not his legacy in Indianapolis.  Ask yourself this, what would the Colts be had they selected Ryan Leaf with that draft pick??  What would the Indianapolis landscape be like if the Colts had been mediocre over the last 14 years??  He has been nothing but classy since he came into the league.  Indianapolis, and the new Lucas Oil Stadium is only a month removed from hosting one of the greatest Super Bowls in history.  The Colts have played indoors since moving to Indianapolis, so why did it take 28 years for Indy to host a Super Bowl?  Would the Colts have this new, magnificent stadium without all the winning Manning has brought them?  And without this new stadium, Indy would not have even been considered to host a super bowl.  So, the greatest event in Indiana history would not have even been a dream, had Manning not brought his winning ways and class to Indianapolis.  And if you watched any of the Super Bowl coverage, you would see that I am not the only one that shares this mentality.  Some one brought up the point of Dan Marino in Miami, asking if the Dolphins had the #1 pick in that draft, should they pass on Manning because they already have Marino.  That brings me to my next point.  I don't see how you could pass on a proven winner like Manning or Marino for a college player with no experience what so ever.  You have no idea what you're getting.  Not only that, but why did the Dolphins not have that #1 pick?  Because Marino was playing and they were winning.  Had Manning played this season, and the Colts won their division again, this would not be an issue at all.  Manning would be getting his bonus tomorrow and life would be good for all Colts fans.  And don't even try to mention the Favre/Rogers mess.  Rogers was drafted several years before the Packers traded Favre and Rogers had several years to prepare.  Here you are cutting loose a proven winner and throwing a rookie into the fire with no training what so ever.  Manning started and played in every single game for 13 years.  That is very unprecidented, specially in recent years.  It's almost unheard of for someone to make it through 1 season injury free, let alone 13 years.  Irsay and the Colts learned absolutely nothing from last year.  They are going to take Manning's money and give it to Andrew Luck.  There will be nothing different than the past 14 years, except that Luck is no Peyton Manning.  Irsay thinks he can do better, but he is sorely mistaken.  I almost feel bad for Colts fans, because this is only the beginning of a rough patch.  IU fans know all too well, from experience.  After many years of winning and championships under Bob Knight, they fell to average.  Kelvin Sampson was supposed to be the savior.  He was supposed to bring the Hoosiers back to championship form.  How did that work out??  They are just now getting to average, and are still a few years away from championship form.  I guess another way to look at it is, all that prepared them for what the Colts are getting ready to go through.  All jabs aside, Colts fans have every right to be upset with this decision.  Peyton Manning has been a class act his entire time in the league.  He has done more for one city and state than anyone could have ever dreamed when they drafted him.  My feelings are that for everything Manning has done for his (Irsay) orginization, that Manning deserved to leave on his own terms, when and how he wanted.  Manning even handled the press conference with class, trying to defend Irsay.  He (Irsay) tried to cushion the blow and save face by saying "the #18 will never be worn again."  You think that makes up for this??  I think most Colts fans would MUCH rather see the #18 on the field, than hanging from the rafters in the stadium that HE helped build.  Colts fans aren't fooled by any of this.  They see Irsay for what he is, a back-stabbing, selfish, classless, idiot, just like his father was.  Those that know me, know that I will be sitting back, waiting for this to backfire and laugh my @$$ off when it does.  I am a firm believer in, if you're a fan, you're a fan for life, through good times and bad.  Chiefs fans grew accustomed to winning under Marty Schottenheimer in the 90's.  With the exception of a few years under Dick Vermeil sandwiched in between loosing, the Chiefs haven't been the same.  They traded Trent Green to the Miamai Dolphins and haven't recovered since.  I didn't agree with that decision, but I stayed loyal to my team, as most Colts fans will.  Reguardless of where "Luck" falls with the Colts, this will go down as one of the saddest days in Colts history, and possibly even Indiana history.  I personally am looking forward to see where he ends up.  With all that's transpired over the last several months, that team will be getting a very fired up and motivated Manning on his way to winning the "Comeback Player of the Year" award, and his 5th MVP trophy.  Reguardless of where he ends up, I will always be a fan and supporter of Peyton Manning.