I’m typically not a vengeful person. Go ahead, laugh all you want at my collection of baseball cards, old video games and “He-Man” DVDs. I promise I won’t get angry or concoct an exacting scheme to make you rue the day you were born.
But I have to admit, even at the risk of becoming the target of my Angie’s List co-workers’ wrath, I thoroughly enjoyed watching the Indianapolis Colts lose their first-ever regular-season game at Lucas Oil Stadium Sunday night. I’m a Bears fan, and I was none too pleased two seasons ago when Peyton Manning’s bunch stomped my beloved Bears in the Super Bowl. This time, in the 2008 season opener for both clubs, Chicago avenged that defeat with a dominating 29-13 victory. For me, the win was especially triumphant.
A week or so before that fateful championship game in February 2007, I agreed to take part in an ill-advised wager on the contest. A friend of mine — a local dog kennel owner and Colts aficionado — proposed that the losing team’s fan participate in the Polar Bear Plunge, a fundraiser for Special Olympics Indiana. In a classic “think-before-you-speak” moment, I accepted the challenge. Two Rex Grossman interceptions, a few beers and some choice words later, the cold realization hit that in just a few days I’d be donning my swimming trunks and jumping into a near-freezing creek.
Braving the frigid water was almost as unpleasant as watching my team lose the big game, but I don’t regret the experience completely — I raised almost $150 in donations for the Special Olympics. After all, as the old saying goes: revenge is a dish best served cold.
Great writing I remember the plunge you took. Was damn cold from what I remember now that’s a true Bears fan…Go Bears!!!!!!!!!!!!
Ahh…I wouldn’t worry about the wrath of your fellow pubbers John. I don’t think there are as many Colts fans (or football fans for that matter, right Mike?) in the department as you might think. Go Bengals! Who-Dey! (no need to bring up their abysmal record…I’m well aware.)
That was really well-written! I’m still stunned by the Superbowl loss myself. Go Bears!!
Maybe 2008 will be our year.
Remember when a couple bears died at the Indianapolis Zoo a while back? I don’t think it was a coincidence…there are quite a few dedicated Colts fans here at the List (which is only a few minutes from the Zoo).
I went to the Lucas Oil Stadium after that game for a story I was working on. Colts fans treated me like a dog (or perhaps Bears fan?).
The only satisfaction I took away from the experience was that the Colts lost. I hope they continue to lose. Forever.