Colts are the 'big bad bully'
Colts are the 'big bad bully' as America starts rooting for the Saints in Super Bowl
FORT LAUDERDALE -- Go ahead, America, root for the Saints.
The Colts realize they are not the popular choice in Super Bowl XLIV. Matched against the New Orleans, Indianapolis quarterback Peyton Manning, a native of the Crescent City, said he understands why neutral fans might gravitate toward the team around whom the still-rebuilding city has rallied.
"We certainly understand that we may not be the team that everybody is cheering for in this game," Manning said. "We are OK with that."
With fans drawn to the revival of the city that was ravaged by Hurricane Katrina in 2005, Saints fever is spreading far beyond the state of Louisiana.
"Peyton is a smart guy and he gets it that they're the big badbully,"
Sirius NFL Radio analyst Solomon Wilcots said. "Everybody loves underdogs, and is there a bigger underdog than the city of New Orleans?"
Colts WR Reggie Wayne said he would be drawn to root for the NFC champions too -- if he weren't competing against them. "I probably would go for the Saints," Wayne said. "I feel like they deserve it."
Archie Manning is bucking the trend. Peyton's father, who was the Saints' quarterback from 1971-1982 and still lives in New Orleans, will root for his son, but said he values the support his former team is receiving.
"A lot of people in this country are really concerned for our city after Hurricane Katrina," said Archie Manning.
Added Wilcots, "They went through this adversity in Hurricane Katrina that since had bonded that team to the community. And boy, have they rewarded the community. So yes, everyone has adopted that story,even if you don't live in New Orleans you're rooting for them."
FORT LAUDERDALE -- Go ahead, America, root for the Saints.
The Colts realize they are not the popular choice in Super Bowl XLIV. Matched against the New Orleans, Indianapolis quarterback Peyton Manning, a native of the Crescent City, said he understands why neutral fans might gravitate toward the team around whom the still-rebuilding city has rallied.
"We certainly understand that we may not be the team that everybody is cheering for in this game," Manning said. "We are OK with that."
With fans drawn to the revival of the city that was ravaged by Hurricane Katrina in 2005, Saints fever is spreading far beyond the state of Louisiana.
"Peyton is a smart guy and he gets it that they're the big badbully,"
Sirius NFL Radio analyst Solomon Wilcots said. "Everybody loves underdogs, and is there a bigger underdog than the city of New Orleans?"Colts WR Reggie Wayne said he would be drawn to root for the NFC champions too -- if he weren't competing against them. "I probably would go for the Saints," Wayne said. "I feel like they deserve it."
Archie Manning is bucking the trend. Peyton's father, who was the Saints' quarterback from 1971-1982 and still lives in New Orleans, will root for his son, but said he values the support his former team is receiving.
"A lot of people in this country are really concerned for our city after Hurricane Katrina," said Archie Manning.
Added Wilcots, "They went through this adversity in Hurricane Katrina that since had bonded that team to the community. And boy, have they rewarded the community. So yes, everyone has adopted that story,even if you don't live in New Orleans you're rooting for them."
