Jim Irsay sent $8,500 to a fan who won Twitter contest
Cool
Jim Irsay is upholding his mantle as the NFL’s most eccentric owner in other ways, like mailing $8,500 in cash to a Twitter follower who guessed the final score of the AFC championship to within one point.
The Indianapolis Colts owner tweeted on Sunday that he’d give $8,500 to whoever could predict the score of the Ravens-Patriots game to within one point. A follower named Jason did just that, calling a 27-14 Baltimore win. When the game ended with a 28-13 count, Irsay sent him direct message asking for his address.
Two days later, Jason says a FedEx envelope arrived with a signed note from Irsay and the winnings in cash. He took a photograph of both.
Dear Jason,
Congratulations again on winning a Twitter Contest! Enclosed you will find your prize which consists of $8,500.00. Please continue to follow me on Twitter and thank you for your continued support.
Go Colts!
Sincerely,
Jim Irsay
Owner/CEO
Colts cheerleaders shave heads to honor Chuck Pagano
Back on November 14, we reported that Indianapolis Colts cheerleader was willing to shave her head if the team mascot raised $10,000 in donations to support head coach Chuck Pagano and his battle against cancer. The team far exceeded the mark so Megan M. sat in a chair and had her hair cut in front of a sold out crowd in Indianapolis. Another cheerleader, Crystal B., joined Megan in getting her head shaved since the team raised actually $22,000.
Colts cheerleader offers to shave head if mascot raises $10,000 for leukemia research
TALENT
After leukemia treatments robbed Indianapolis Colts coach Chuck Pagano of his hair, Colts players banded together and shaved their heads in solidarity. That act unleashed a wave of support in the broader Colts community, where, empowered to make a difference and united by social media, fans also began to shed their hair. But it didn’t stop there.
Just when the momentum seemed to fade, “Blue,” the Colts mascot, loosed a daring tweet. If Blue could raise $10,000 for leukemia research, he pondered, would one of the team’s cheerleaders volunteer to shave her head as well?
Thats when Colts team cheerleader Megan step up and said to “count her in” and even would let Blue do the trimming.
If Blue succeeds in raising the $10,000 by November 25, Megan’s hair will meet its end that day, during the Colts vs Bills game. “Everyone knows someone who’s been affected by cancer. I’ve had close friends who’ve passed away because of it, family members… and we’ve even had a couple girls on our squad who lost their father to cancer,” Megan explains in “Operation: Shave Megan’s Head,” a video posted to the Colts website.
WTF: Sergio Brown
Stand Up 2 Cancer
Members of the Indianapolis Colts shaved their heads in solidarity with their cancer-battling coach, Chuck Pagano yesterday and posed for a picture of solitary. Except Sergio Brown without shaving his head. Brown and his dreadlocks made their way into the shaved head photo.
Colts Players Shave Heads To Honor Coach Pagano
Stand Up 2 Cancer
More than two dozen Indianapolis Colts players, along with several support-staff personnel, decided to shave their heads in support of coach Chuck Pagano, who’s started a second round of chemotherapy in his battle with leukemia.
“It’s all for Chuck,” said punter Pat McAfee Tuesday evening. “We all don’t look good. I’m not built to have a bald head. I’ve got a huge sniffer. But we all love our coach so much that we want to show unity and let people know we’re all in this together. It’s a really cool thing.”
David Thornton, the director of player engagement, got things rolling after Tuesday’s practice. He had a barber waiting in a hallway as players walked off the practice field.
McAfee and defensive end Cory Redding were among the first to lose their hair.
The list of players includes McAfee, Redding, placekicker Adam Vinatieri, safety Antoine Bethea, running back Donald Brown, wide receiver Nathan Palmer, corneback Darius Butler, linebacker Kavell Conner, offensive tackle Anthony Castonzo, guard Joe Reitz and long-snapper Matt Overton.
Pagano has been on indefinite leave since being diagnosed with leukemia and hospitalized Sept. 26. He was released from IU Health Simon Cancer Center Oct. 21 and attended the Colts’ 23-20 win over Miami last Sunday. Pagano addressed the team before and after the game.
Chuck Pagano Delivers Emotional Postgame Speech
Indianapolis Colts coach Chuck Pagano, who is not with the team as he undergoes chemotherapy treatments for leukemia, was at Lucas Oil Stadium to watch his Colts come out on top against the Miami Dolphins 23-20. After the narrow victory, Pagano delivered an emotional postgame speech in the locker room.
Stand Up 2 Cancer
Terry Bradshaw Says Reggie Bush Chasing A Bucket Of Chicken
Terry Bradshaw made a remark during FOX’s halftime show Sunday might have been one of the stupider things he’s ever said. Yukking it up with co-host Jimmy Johnson while showing a Reggie Bush touchdown run from the first half of the Miami Dolphins-Indianapolis Colts game, Bradshaw commented that the Miami running back was “chasing that bucket of chicken that the wind was blowing the other day,” leading to guffaws from Bradshaw and Johnson and an awkward groan from co-host Curt Menefee.
Dwight Freeney Would Love To Hit Peyton Manning
Scary
If the season ended today the Indianapolis Colts would be in the playoffs. Hard to imagine that happening when the season does actually end, but the Colts do have a manageable second-half schedule. For now, at least, they’re in!
On the flip side, it’s easy to imagine the Denver Broncos not just making the playoffs, but winning the lowly AFC West.
So can you imagine the intrigue of Peyton Manning facing his old team in a playoff game the year after Indianapolis dumped him for rookie quarterback Andrew Luck?
That question was posed to Colts defensive end Dwight Freeney and Manning’s former longtime teammate didn’t shy away from sharing his thoughts.
“Peyton obviously is the staple of Indianapolis and this organization for years,” Freeney said. “I went after him in practice year in and year out and never got a chance to hit him. So, yeah, I would love to hit him.
Chuck Pagano’s Email To Team Inspires Them To Beat Green Bay
#CHUCKSTRONG
Indianapolis Colts coach Chuck Pagano told his team before Sunday’s 30-27 upset of the Green Bay Packers that it needed to focus on getting to .500 rather than winning the game for him.
In an email sent to players earlier this week and released by the Colts during the game against Green Bay, Pagano wrote to players, thanking them for their love and support and insisting he would win his battle with leukemia.
Pagano has been hospitalized since Sept. 26 and missed the game as he continued to undergo treatment.
Andrew Luck’s Sketch Sells For $1,500 On eBay
Mi Casa Es Su Cas
The above drawing of Lucas Oil Stadium by Indianapolis Colts quarterback Andrew Luck sold for $1,500 on eBay, which is incredible. Even more incredible: Luck graduated from Stanford with a bachelor’s degree in architectural design.
Reggie Wayne Arrives In Fatigues
A-Ten-Hut
Indianapolis Colts veteran wide receiver Reggie Wayne showed up to training camp Saturday morning with a convoy of Humvees.
Wayne arrived with members of the Indiana National Guard to the Colts camp at Anderson University. Climbing out of one of the camouflaged Humvees wearing military fatigues was Wayne.
He hoped out, snapped to attention and said “Reggie Wayne, reporting for duty!”
After a salute, Wayne grabbed his bags and walked a few paces before the media stopped him.
“I don’t want people to look at this like it’s a joke, a gimmick,” Wayne said to Chappell. “I fully support our military and I’m taking a page out of their book. I want our team to take a page out of their book. These guys are what you call true heroes.
“The military are selfless workers and definitely there for each other. They go out there and make it happen no matter what the situation is and that’s what we have to do. We have to go out and make it happen no matter the obstacles in our path. We’ve got to find a way to get around it and keep moving.”
Wayne has a history of unique training camp entrances like showing up in a dump truck, overhauls, tool belt and hard hat.
Pacman Jones Tells Rookies He Spent $1 Milli In One Weekend
Mamma Calls Him Pacman, I'm Call Him Pacman
Speaking at the recent NFL rookie symposium, Adam “Pacman” Jones talked about his wild days as a young player with the Tennessee Titans. Indianapolis Colts rookie tight end Coby Fleener, who attended the symposium, wrote a guest column on the event for SI.com.
According to Fleener, Jones told the rookies that he once spent $1 million in one weekend.
Even Terrell Owens was flabbergasted by that story, who according to Fleener’s SI.com column, looked at Jones afterward and said, “Man, you crazy.”
Jones, now with the Cincinnati Bengals, wanted to leave an impression at the symposium. He succeeded.
Andrew Luck Sued By Trading Card Company Over Image
Sued You Before You Could Sue Us
A Texas-based card company has sued No. 1 NFL draft pick Andrew Luck, claiming its First Amendment right to produce trading cards with his image.
Leaf Trading Cards LLC filed the lawsuit April 20 in Dallas County court. The company said it uses images of Luck from the 2008 U.S. Army All-American Bowl, a high school all-star game played in San Antonio to which it has the rights.
Leaf said it brought the suit after the Stanford quarterback’s attorney demanded the company stop selling the cards, as they infringed on Luck’s “publicity rights,” the company said in a statement.
“Leaf Trading Cards is disappointed that it was forced to submit this matter to the judicial system,” Leaf attorney O. Luke Davis III said in a statement released by the company. “We are confident, however, that the court will find that Leaf has the right to produce and sell the Andrew Luck trading cards.”
The company hasn’t indicated if it will seek damages from Luck, but by filing a declaratory judgment, the company may only attempt to assert the right to produce the trading card.
Eli Manning To Host Saturday Night Live
Live From New York Its...
New York Giants quarterback Eli Manning will follow his brother onto the set of “Saturday Night Live” when he hosts NBC’s late-night sketch comedy show.
The reigning Super Bowl MVP will appear alongside musical guest Rihanna on May 5, the show announced late Saturday.
Denver Broncos quarterback Peyton Manning hosted the show after winning his lone Super Bowl with the Indianapolis Colts in 2007. Younger brother Eli will have a tough act to follow after Peyton’s well-received appearance included fan-favorites such as the “United Way” skit.
Dwight Freeney Swindled
Whaaaat
A financial adviser for Indianapolis Colts defensive end Dwight Freeney and the adviser’s lover have been arrested on federal wire fraud charges that allege they swindled about $2.2 million from the lineman.
Eva Weinberg, 48, of Los Angeles, and Michael Stern, 51, of Miami, were arrested last week by FBI agents who believe the couple were trying to flee the United States.
Stern appeared in a Miami courtroom Wednesday and will be extradited in the coming weeks to California, where he and Weinberg face charges.
“Mr. Stern denies he violated the law and it’s his position he and Ms. Weinberg didn’t steal any money from Mr. Freeney,” said Stern’s attorney, Henry Bell.
Weinberg worked as Freeney’s financial adviser for the past two years after leaving Bank of America Corp.’s Merrill Lynch financial management division. She handled his personal finances, real estate investments and business dealings involving a Hollywood restaurant, Rolling Stone LA.
About $2.2 million was wired in nearly 140 separate transactions from Freeney’s bank account by Weinberg to Arm’s Reach Consulting, a company owned by Stern, between June 2010 and October 2011, authorities said. Freeney didn’t approve the transfers and was unaware Stern was the recipient.
Stern told a confidential informant in recorded conversations that the money transferred to him by Weinberg was to be used to pay his bills and personal expenses, according to the affidavit. He also said $1.5 million was going to be put toward buying a private jet, court records show.
The informant also told investigators that Stern intended to flee the U.S., possibly to the Bahamas, Trinidad or Israel, and had plans to travel to Los Angeles to get Weinberg before she was arrested.
Freeney, 32, has recorded 102 1/2 sacks in his 10-year professional career and is scheduled to make a base salary of $14 million in 2012.
Tennessee Titans Fans Create F*ck You Song For Peyton Manning
The fans of the Tennessee Titans didn’t take the news of Peyton Manning choosing to follow the footsteps of John Elway and leave the Indianapolis Colts for the Denver Broncos all that well.
In fact they created the news pissed them off so much they created this NSFW song to express their displeasure Manning didn’t come back home to play football in Tennessee.
Andrew Luck’s First Nike Ad
The Nike family has a new quarterback on it’s roster and its future Indianapolis Colts future number one draft pick Andrew Luck. This is his first Nike ad and first NFL paycheck.
Peyton Manning’s Tip Gets Waiter Fired
Good Job By The Owner
It’s no secret that Indianapolis Colts fans are going to miss Peyton Manning. There is also another segment of the Indianapolis population who’s going to miss Manning and that’s waiters and waitresses.
According to a photograph of a receipt from the Angus Barn in Raleigh, North Carolina, Manning recently left a $200 tip for a $739.58 tab that already included 18% gratuity. The receipt was dated 3/2/12. Earlier that day Manning had been surreptitiously filmed going through throwing drills on the nearby campus of Duke University.
Generally, celebrity tipping habits get publicized and go viral when someone is a particularly poor tipper. In a list of the Top Ten Cheapest Celebrity Tippers compiled by the Miami New Times in August 2011, two athletes cracked the top five. The cheapest celebrity tipper, according to the story, was Tiger Woods. Ranking at No. 4 was Miami Heat superstar LeBron James.
According to NBC-17, the photo of the signed receipt was first loosed upon the Internet when the server posted it on Facebook. The owner of the Angus Barn, Van Eure, was not pleased and fired the server for posting someones private information on the Internet without consent.
Donald Trump Thinks Peyton Manning Should Go To Miami
Go Run The USFL
Donald Trump, the billionaire mogul who flirted with a run at the U.S. presidency, has a definitive opinion on almost everything. No surprise then that The Donald knows exactly where Peyton Manning should go next.
The star of NBC’s The Apprentice would “love to see” Manning sign with the Miami Dolphins, Trump said Thursday while touting his $150 million purchase of The Doral Resort in Miami, according to the New York Daily News:
First of all (Dolphins owner) Steve Ross is a very good friend of mine,” Trump bellowed before a roomful of reporters and TV cameras at the WGC Cadillac Championship, where Tiger Woods, Phil Mickelson and Rory McIlroy were fighting it out in the first round.
“He’s a member of my club in Palm Beach and I think Peyton would be great for Miami. It would be a fantastic thing for this area.
Trump’s endorsement of the Dolphins over his hometown New York Jets didn’t go over well with the paper. Trump’s buddies with Jets owner Woody Johnson. The Jets are said to be one of the dozen or so NFL clubs pursuing the ex-Indianapolis Colts QB — despite the presence of starter Mark Sanchez. Trump “betrayed” his pal Johnson’s Jets when he touted the Dolphins, said the Daily News.
Peyton Manning Tribute Song
Peyton Manning said goodbye to the people of Indianapolis the other day and as he searches for a new team to call home a tribute song has been made for him.
Peyton Manning Completes Passing Drills At Duke
Peyton Manning, Austin Collie, Dallas Clark, Jeff Saturday, Brandon Stokley were all at the Duke versus North Carolina game on Saturday. However the bigger news was Manning was supposedly throwing passing drills on their campus earlier that day but can your really tell since the camera phone video was taken all the way back in Indianapolis?
Former Indianapolis Colts Executive Bill Polian Joins ESPN
Two New Adventures
Former Indianapolis Colts Vice Chairman Bill Polian has joined ESPN as an NFL analyst. Polian makes his debut March 12 and will appear throughout the year on several ESPN shows, including SportsCenter.
Polian spent 24 years as an NFL general manager with the Buffalo Bills, Carolina Panthers and Colts. He drafted four-time NFL MVP Peyton Manning and built Indianapolis into a team that went to the playoffs 11 times, won eight division titles, two AFC titles and a Super Bowl.
In January, he and his son, general manager Chris Polian, were fired by Colts owner Jim Irsay in a major shake-up that included firing coach Jim Caldwell and his staff.
At ESPN, Polian will focus on the NFL draft, free agency and other business-related issues.
Jim Tressel Heading To University Of Akron As Administrator?
Liar
Former Ohio State coach Jim Tressel could be on his to the University of Akron, school officials are talking to Tressel about taking an administrative position, according to a report. An announcement is scheduled for 10 a.m. Thursday, according to the report. The specifics of the announcement are not known.
“When Jim Tressel and other alumni assisted us in our search for a football coach last December, we began to engage in dynamic conversations about Jim’s professional goals outside of athletics,” the school announced in a statement, according to the newspaper. “We share a common interest in innovative programs for student success. Our discussions continue.”
Tressel interviewed for the Indianapolis Colts head coaching job that went to Baltimore Ravens defensive coordinator Chuck Pagano. Tressel served as a consultant for the Colts last season and advised then-coach Jim Caldwell on replay reviews.
He began his coaching career as a graduate assistant at Akron.
If NFL Logos Where Honest
The guys at ‘The Fries Are Good’ came up with a genius idea and that was what of NFL team logos were honest, how would they look? Thankfully for us they took the next step and drew up some of the leagues best.
Which is your favorite?
