Rob Barber

On Wednesday I had the great privilege to sit down the the Colt’s President, Bill Polian, in his office for about an hour and a half.

We talked baseball, football, coaching, kids and leadership. I had met him once before but appreciated his generosity and relaxed nature. We sat on a chair and couch in front of his desk and exchanged stories and shared a lot of laughs. He also gave me a lot of great advise which I’ll share later.

I must say however, it’s a bit surreal when the day before he’s meeting with the President of the Cubs and he’s referring to Joe Paterno, Marv Levy and Tony LaRussa like we’re all buddies. He’s won the NFL’s Executive of the Year award six times and will most certainly be in the Hall of Fame.

So in a very disappointing year for the Colts, it’s still important to remember that even if the Golden Era for the Colts has passed (and I don’t believe it has), it WAS a Golden Era similar to the Big Red Machine of the 70’s and the New York baseball era in the 50’s with Willy Mays, Mickey Mantle and Duke Snyder. We’ve had the great pleasure to watch history up close.

And even though we wish they would have gone undefeated and won another Super Bowl or two, the journey was worth it primarily because all of the men on the field who represented our great city and state, did us proud. From Jeff Saturday to Reggie Wayne to and especially Payton Manning, they have been great role models; examples of how to be a good teammate and leader. They didn’t have the lapses in judgement that have plagued other players, teams and organizations. They have been humble, supportive and heavily invested in the community and for that we should all say thanks.

In paraphrasing Dr. Seuss, “don’t cry because it’s over, smile because it happened”. As for the future? Stay positive. While I don’t know if Payton will play or stay. I don’t know if Andrew Luck is in the wings or what lies ahead for that matter. But the reason for my optimism is knowing that a great (not perfect), system is in place and it represents my state in a way that makes me proud.

While we will all forever love the “thrill of victory” and hate the “agony of defeat”, rest assured better days are ahead for this franchise, if for no other reason than because a Polian is on the job.