Staying CHUCKSTRONG

During the tidal wave of scandalous stories in 2012 shipwrecked fans were able to follow the beacon of light that Chuck Pagano provided for those in search of a positive sports story.

As October began so did Pagano’s battle for his life. The 52 year old coach was diagnosed with acute myeloid leukemia. His bone marrow was producing abnormal white blood cells to interfere with the everyday functions of the normal blood cells. And coaching football seemed to be an afterthought.

But the fate of their coach was on the minds of every Colts player when they squared off against the Green Bay Packers on October 7th.

Indy was down 21-3 at halftime to one of the most prolific offenses in the National Football League and the game was all over except for the press conferences. The home team was thoroughly outmatched.

Then Andrew Luck threw for two touchdowns. Then he ran for a third. And when Packers kicker Mason Crosby missed a 51 yard field goal at the end of the game, the Colts laid exhausted on the field of battle, victorious.

With that win, the Colts had laid the foundation in which the nation of CHUCKSTRONG would be built upon.

2012 would be remembered as the year in which the Indianapolis Colts became America’s team. 32 Colts shaved their heads in solidarity for their ailing coach. Two cheerleaders followed suit by raising 22,000 dollars for CHUCKSTRONG after letting the team mascot shave their heads.

The nation of CHUCKSTRONG was a safe haven for fans surrounded by the scandal of sports and the tragedies in the real world. This year featured the unspeakable tragedy of Newtown Connecticut, the hardships of Hurricane Sandy, the alarming increase of athletes committing suicide, and scandals ranging from Penn State to Bounty Gate.

Yet through it all, the Indianapolis Colts borrowed Cinderella’s slipper and served as a beacon of hope for sports fans across the nation. The countless people affected by all types of cancer gained a role model, an icon, and a spokesman in the world of sports.

To date, the improbable run has all but been completed. Indianapolis, a team that went 2-14 a year ago now sits at 10-5. These Colts made the playoffs while ranking 22^nd in the NFL in rushing yards per game and 18^th in points per game. Even as the playoffs loom, only two Colts made the pro bowl.

But the Colts had a cause that fueled them far greater than any paycheck ever could. The players on Indianapolis were all playing to honor a man who wants nothing more than to dance with his two daughters at their weddings. 

The Colts will channel those feeling one more time for their coach in week 17. Pagano will be coming back to coach the Colts in their final home game of the regular season. The stadium will most assuredly be shaking and the Colts will lay their hearts on the turf of Lucas Oil Stadium for the man who has inspired them.

With the leukemia in remission and America’s team in good condition, 2012 will be remembered as the year a man inspired a nation to keep hoping, keep fighting, and stay CHUCKSTRONG.