Hilton On Reggie Wayne: ‘I’m Not Going To Let Him Leave’

At age 36, Reggie Wayne is the oldest receiver in the NFL. Much speculation has surrounded his immediate future with the Colts. The former probowler is about to complete his 14th season in the Circle City. With young recievers, T.Y. Hilton and Donte Moncrief coming into their own, Reggie appears to be poised to pass the torch to another generation of elite wideouts in Lucas Oil Stadium.

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It’s no secret that the veteran Indy receiver, and Colts’ first time pro bowler, T.Y. Hilton have developed quite a friendship in their time in Indianapolis. Many credit Reggie’s tutelage for Hilton’s meteoric rise in the NFL receiving ranks. Not many young wideouts with T.Y.’s talent have the luxury of learning from on of the league’s all-time best.

“T.Y. comes and he’s always asking questions,” Wayne said of his young pupil. “That’s the way you learn. That’s the way I was with Marvin Harrison. I would ask him things what I could do to run this particular route better. Whenever you have a guy that’s played a little longer I think you should use that.”

It should come as no surprise to people are starting to talk retirement. Reggie is three years younger than me, and still plays in the NFL. That still boggles my mind. Yes, Colts kicker Adam Vinatieri is in his 40’s, but kickers don’t get hit by human torpedoes on a regular basis, and when they do, it normally comes with a 15 yard penalty.

If Hilton has his way, Reggie isn’t going anywhere anytime soon.

“In my profession, unfortunately age is a factor and everybody knows that I’m (36 years old). ‘They’ figure that the older you are, the more likely you are to be done,” Wayne added earlier this season, when asked about his NFL future.

“Obviously you aren’t going to be the same person you were in your early 20s. That’s just the way it goes. There is a part of me that says what are you talking about but I do understand that people judge your career and it’s up to myself to prove those naysayers wrong.”

Although Reggie is obviously in the sunset of his Hall of Fame worthy career, he continues to make his mark on a Colts offense than ranked first in the league in passing yards this season. Wayne was second on the team in receptions with 64 this year.  While the 36-year-old may have lost a step, he’s still wowing Colts fans with circus catches and clutch plays when the Colts need him most.

Based on the numbers, it would certainly appear that #87 still has something left in the tank.  His leadership has left an immeasurable impact that will be felt well after his departure.

T.Y. Hilton just said what the rest of us are thinking. Don’t go yet, Reggie. You still have a final chapter to write in your legendary career.