Recently, I viewed a commercial on a local affiliate that was reminding all you out there that Colts season tickets are indeed available. You’ve undoubtedly seen it, as it features highlights of this past season, and it includes a video montage of fans screaming for their favorite player. There’s actual game footage that features various highlights of a season that gave most of you indigestion, and contemplating if there was any way you could sell your tickets, or at least figure a way to write them off on your taxes.
Despite the expensive aspect of the endeavor, many of you faithful season ticket holders are sending in your checks, along with those who are getting on the bandwagon for the first time while you can, due to some “unforeseen” availability of those coveted seats that entitle you to a reserved, cramped area to sit as you sip upon a $9 draft beer to boot.
Now if I sound pessimistic or maybe even skeptical, then call me both, but I certainly know a bum steer when I see it, one that’s being offered up as USDA prime beef at an outrageous price to boot. Sure it’s expensive to attend an NFL game anywhere, and while that’s never going to change, I’m one of those weirdos who expect the goods to be commensurate with the bill of sale, and I can’t see the value of doing business with those who won’t be honest with me. No, I’m not talking about the $620 million we forked over as taxpayers to build Lucas Oil Stadium, and I’m not referring to the esteemed owner who is clearly off the rails in terms of his personal life, as well as being an irresponsible steward of your (not his) coveted franchise.
My concern is much larger than that, and I can’t imagine being the only one who can smell the stench permeating from West 56th Street as the team continues to, in my opinion, shoot dirty pool regarding the condition of Andrew Austen Luck’s right arm, all in the name of ticket renewal and sellout crowds. No, yours truly doesn’t pay to get in, and isn’t an orthopedic surgeon or a physical therapist. However, at this point those respected certifications are not needed to determine that the once indestructible Luck is damaged goods, by virtue of holding on to the football too long, then being routinely pummeled as his second tier offensive line (kind term for them) gets beaten down after down, game after game, and season after season.
To make matters worse, the initial surgical procedure while performed by one of the finest surgeons in the world, did not produce the desired effect forcing the Colts’ Golden Child to miss the entire season last year. To his credit, Luck sought what he calls rehabilitation unavailable in the United States for his ailing wing, which I personally feel is code for an alternative medical procedure which is not approved currently in the good ole USA, and has now resumed a regiment that includes smiling for the cameras and tossing a Nerf football around in private as he continues the quest to take another snap.
Why do the Colts faithful believe he’ll be ready for training camp? Well it’s either you can’t accept reality or actually believe those connected with the team, (including Luck) who tell you to keep an eye on the Pacers in the NBA playoffs and not worry, as number 12 will be there when it counts.
Sure, you can shoot down my opinion, and while I might have been the only one to tell you in October he wouldn’t play at all last season, it doesn’t mean I’m correct (but I am) with my latest prediction that he will not be under center for the opening game of the season. Until we see him throw a regulation football in a tight spiral for about fifty yards repeatedly, why would anyone think he can do anything other than standing on the sidelines in a baseball cap cheering on his teammates? The real question is why aren’t the Colts talking about his current condition candidly, as opposed to telling us what they expect months from now? Maybe they didn’t learn their lesson with the Peyton Manning debacle in which Bill Polian and company bamboozled the season ticket base by saying virtually nothing until all the renewal checks had cleared. The Colts knew Manning wasn’t going to play and I think they know Luck is kaput as well. It’s a dire situation, and while I have great respect for the philanthropic work the Irsay family has done, I do not think they are being straight with all of you who shelled out big bucks for those authentic Colts jerseys you wore every home game last season as you cheered on an unreasonable facsimile of a football team that had no shot at the playoffs.
The easiest thing for yours truly to do is to throw something on the wall and see if it will stick, and that is exactly what I’m doing here. I contend Luck’s condition is far worse than reported and his career is in serious jeopardy, but I seem to be in the minority when it comes to that assessment. The Colts were not honest with the Manning debacle, and why should anyone believe they are now? It certainly starts with the owner, but there are various other principles involved here, including Luck. Just chalk me up as one that doesn’t believe anything being said about Andrew’s imminent comeback, and actually detests the way much of the local media gives both Irsay and Colts General Manager Chris Ballard a complete pass on the matter.
That being said, I have to wonder why anyone would plunk down their hard earned legal tender for a Colts ticket. Buyer beware is what I say, but the real question is, why do you need an old scribe like myself to point it out to you?
One thing is for certain, the Colts ticket office is open and ready for business, and in case you didn’t know, there are no guarantees or refunds available.
Perhaps you should use that money for a vacation or put it in a college fund for your children. Then again, maybe you’re the riverboat gambler type who’s betting on Luck running out on the field for opening day. That’s a risky proposition at best, but it shouldn’t even be on the board, as the Colts know what the score is regarding their star quarterback’s real bill of health.
The real question is why in the world don’t you?
Danny Bridges, who will save his editor the trouble of telling you his opinion is not necessarily that of the Indianapolis Recorder’s and wishes Andrew Luck good health, can be reached at (317) 370-8447, or at Bridgeshd@aol.com.
