The year was 1995, I was a freshman in High School and had recently received the news that my high school would be closed (since IPS sucks and can't manage money properly). Sports became a big part of that school as we watched our football and basketball teams make their final run at state titles (Heartbreak at Hinkle). I had recently vowed to sell all my baseball cards and never watch the game of baseball again, because of their strike in 1994. I was more than ready to have something to cheer for.
The Colts were about ten years removed from their infamous escape to Indianapolis. Indy was definitely still a basketball town, having watched Reggie and the beloved Pacers lose to the Knicks in the Seventh Game of the Conference Finals in 1994 (they would go on to lose Game 7 of the Conference Finals in 1995 as well). However, the Colts grabbed our attention and won our hearts by clawing their way to the 1995 AFC Championship.
Marshall Faulk was our brilliant running back. Floyd Turner and Aaron Bailey were our top receivers. The irreplacable and unstoppable Ken Dilger was our bruising tight end. Cary Blanchard was our kicker. And who could forget, the "Comeback Kid," the 1995 Comeback Player of the Year and AFC Player of the Year (and MVP runner-up), Mr. Jim Harbaugh. This ragtag group of white collar yeomen was led by coach Ted Marchibroda.
The Colts finished 9-7 that year, earning the fifth seed in the AFC, and their second playoff appearance since coming to Indy. They played in San Diego for the Wild Card game. An injury plagued Faulk led to the miraculous emergence of Rookie running back Zack Crockett. Crockett had only one carry in the regular season, but burned the Chargers for 147 yards and two touchdowns. The Colts pulled away in the fourth quarter, winning 35-20.
The divisional playoffs had the feel of destiny as the Colts went in to Arrowhead Stadium to play #1 Kansas City (8-0 at home) and knocked off the Chiefs, 10-7. The legend of Harbaugh was born and we found ourselves playing for a chance to go to the Super Bowl. The only thing that stood in the way was the Pittsburgh Steelers. And a crappy controversial Steelers touchdown.
The score was 10-6 (Steelers lead) at halftime, after one of the worst calls in Colts history. Pittsburgh receiver Kordell Stewart blatantly stepped out of bounds before catching a five yard TD pass. Sure, it's debatable whether or not he was pushed, but I'm a Colts fan and I say he stepped out.
After trading field goals, Harbaugh threw a 47-yard TD with about 8 minutes left. That put the Colts up 16-13. With 3:03 left, Pittsburgh got the ball and after converting a fourth down, they got a TD to go up 20-16.
Harbaugh, the "Comeback Kid" had one last chance to pull off a miracle. He led the Colts down to the Pittsburgh 29, with five seconds left. Just enough time for the miracle of all miracles, the "hail mary pass." There was no doubt that it would work. The Colts had been making miracles happen all season. Harbaugh dropped back and launched it into the endzone. Aaron Bailey had a chance at it (see picture above), I say there should have been a pass interference call, but he missed it. Our hearts were broken.
The good thing is that a heart can only be broken if it truly loved and believed in something. My heart broke that day, but a true Colts fan was born. My heart has been broken by Indianapolis sports ever since. Washington High School went on to close, the Pacers continued to have their hearts broken by the likes of Michael Jordan, Patrick Ewing, Shaquille O'Neal, Kobe Bryant, and the entire Piston team. The Colts have continued to break my heart, year after year.
I hope it all ends this weekend. I really hope no Colts are stabbed in the leg by their spouses, I hope Peyton plays like Peyton, I hope Brady breaks his arm (not really, I don't want them to have any excuses), I just hope the Colts play tough and make us all proud. This city needs to have its heart mended. We need a championship for this generation, for these INDIANAPOLIS Colts. Until then, I will continue to wait, and hope...
***UPDATE***
Many thanks to the anonymous poster who found this link to an NFL Games video on this game:
Steelers Hold Off Cardiac Colts to Reach Super Bowl XXX
And here's a video of the last 10 minutes of TV coverage:
[props to wikipedia for the details in this post]
14 comments:
i was 8 years old when i watched this game...and its amazing how close our stories are haha. ive watched that game so many times since and every time i get just as mad that kordell stewart didn't get called for stepping out of bounds in the back of the end zone before catching that touchdown pass... anyways that was the day i learned to live and die by the INDIANAPOLIS COLTS...and i wouldnt have it any other way
I feel you guys. I remember being 8 as well watching this game. As soon as Harbaugh threw it to the end zone I jumped the gun and thought Aaron Bailey caught the ball. I was so excited running through my house. I called my Grandpa and he told me that Bailey dropped the ball. I cried for like half an hour. My heart too was broken.
You got your wish. We did it.
And now we are getting ready for another run...
Go Colts!!
01/03/10
You got your wish. We did it.
And now we are getting ready for another run...
Go Colts!!
01/03/10
You got your wish. We did it.
And now we are getting ready for another run...
Go Colts!!
01/03/10
You got your wish. We did it.
And now we are getting ready for another run...
Go Colts!!
01/03/10
I will always remember that game because of that infamous hail mary pass. I was rooting for the Colts to win because I always root for the underdog. The Capt. Comeback story was awesome. The Colts weren't the same until Manning came after Ted Marchibroda was gone. He deserves a lot of credit for the way his team played.
I also believed before the first half ended, Quentin Coryett had a chance for an easy interception. The ball was in his hands for a moment. It was possible to run back the INT for a lot of yards.
Steelers fan here. Sure, you guys were screwed on the Stewart play. And while we're at it, if that Ernie Mills catch had occurred today, it probably would have been overturned because Mills didn't maintain possession all the way until the end. Having said that, remember that huge playoff game a few years ago between these two teams? Troy Polamalu had an obvious interception overturned by the ABSOLUTE worst call I have ever seen. To this day, I can't believe that. So you see, everything evens out in the sports world. Anyway, when Phil Simms screamed "he caught it!" I almost had a heart attack. You said you became a Colts fan that day. Well, had my team been denied another chance to go to the Super Bowl, I think I would have quit watching sports.
Hey Tony- I definitely remember that Polamalu interception. I agree it was the worst call ever. Can't believe it went under review and they still got it wrong. But at least it didn't cost you guys the game. So in my book, things still aren't even. Not that it matters. Anyway, I actually really like the Steelers organization. Can't stand the Pats though.
Nice new piece on nfl.com about this game.
http://www.nfl.com/news/story?id=09000d5d818d29e1&template=with-video-with-comments&confirm=true
By the way, I'm amazed a Steelers fan has the stones to come on here and talk about how "everything evens out", when I can't think of a team in professional sports which has 1.) a bigger bandwagon nationwide (except perhaps the Red Sox or Yankees) and 2.) more officiating favortism as a result.
The Steelers are the Yankees of the NFL, and Ben Roethlisberger is the Michael Irvin of the NFL today, complete with guaranteed trip to Canton even though his first Super Bowl win was IN SPITE of him, and the obvious off-field stuff (not to mention his recent remarks about himself in the third person).
I actually just finished a post for my blog about my favorite moments watching sports that didn't involve a title and this one was number 1. What a great game. I know you guys are bitter about it, but maybe you can appreciate it a little more since your Colts have been doing so well lately. www.wayo72.blogspot.com
this game was awesome no matter who u were for. they were hitting hard and it made a great game. I am a colts fan back to bert jones and this game well... it was awesome. all steelers fans need to be proud of this game. it wasnt a brady/manning thing...it was two workhorse teams.
I just wish they had footage of the 37 yard catch by Mills...
Well, I did NOT see this game. I was not a football fan for quite a few years after this. But, I married a Steelers fan and am now such. However, my very best friend is from Indy and remembers this game well. Anytime I mention my team she immediately references this game and calls us cheaters. After several arguments I decided to research the game and found a synopsis. It reads like an extremely exciting game where both teams made mistakes, dropped interception attempts, missed field goals, etc. I say this leading to my final comment. I do not believe the controversial touchdown call made this game. The Colts even led the game after that play. And I don't know any NFL player that would not have done the same thing anyway. A receiver is taught to catch the ball. I am happy that infant replay is back though.
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