Reggie Wayne Hanging It Up?
I thought for sure the former pro bowler had another year in him. Sure #87 had slowed down considerably, but on more than one occasion this season, he’s made catches that made Colts fan’s mouth spill open. This season’s screeching halt seems to have cast some doubt as to Reggie Wayne‘s NFL future.
Wayne has spent 13 seasons with the Horseshoe on his helmet, and has become the most prolific pass catcher in franchise history. His on the field accomplishments can only be dwarfed by the size of his heart, and constant professionalism.
How great of a guy is Reggie Wayne? He responds regularly to fans on his own website, ReggieWayne.com. He’s a regular visitor to the Riley Children’s Hospital Cancer unit. He speaks to local area elementary school children. He’s been an active participant in former Colts teammate, Peyton Manning‘s Peyback Foundation.
Three seasons ago, when Colts owner, Jim Irsay, made the gut wrenching decision to cut their future Hall of Fame quarterback, Reggie Wayne was a free agent. He could have packed up his things and moved on, started fresh in a New City, with a new team. Hell, he could have probably signed with a title contender that just needed one final piece of the puzzle to make it to a Super Bowl. Reggie Wayne didn’t do that. Reggie took the road less travelled, and heeded the call to stay home in Indianapolis. When new coach Chuck Pagano called for Reggie’s help, he listened.
I’m not sure that the transition to the Andrew Luck era would be nearly as smooth had it not been for Reggie Wayne’s leadership in that Lucas Oil Field home locker room. Andrew learned from him, and each of the Colts young receivers learned under his tutelage.
Credit Reggie Wayne for the great receiver T.Y. Hilton has become. Hilton has not only become a pro bowl receiver on the field, but as become another great community ambassador for the franchise. The pair had formed quite a bond over the last three seasons.
Reggie’s season started out strong. In the Colts regular season opener against Denver, he grabbed nine catches for 98 yards. He claimed several decent stat lines throughout the year. Toward the end of this season, however, it would certainly appear that Reggie’s age was catching up to him. 19 games of having human torpedos being launched at you has a tendency to wear on someone after 13 years.
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In the Colts three playoff games, the veteran receiver tallied just one reception for 12 yards. For the most part, he was used as a decoy, passing the torch to T.Y. Hilton as the new feature receiver in the Colts offense.
Reggie claimed just a few short weeks ago that he wanted to play next season. Hilton wants him to stay too, but it ultimately might not be up to them. You see, Wayne’s contract expired at the end of this season. For a while, it certainly appeared as though Reggie might return, but now, signs appear to be pointing toward retirement. It’s doubtful, with a lot of younger options at their disposal, the Colts would likely opt to either look toward the draft for another side kick for T.Y. Hilton, or look hard in the free agent market.
Sentiment aside, there may simply be better places for Ryan Grigson to spend the money and the roster spot at this stage. Colts fans and Reggie Wayne alike might just have to come to grips with the fact that Reggie just isn’t what he used to be.
Wayne told the Indianapolis Star earlier this week that he plans to think long and hard about his football future on his annual drive from Indy to his home in Miami Florida.”I’ll make my outline and go from there. I don’t have a plan. I’ve never had one,” said the 36-year-old Wayne. “I just gotta make a couple phone calls, say a couple of prayers and see what route the good Lord sends me.”
Regardless of what his future holds, Wayne’s fingerprints are all over this Colts team, and all over the city of Indianapolis. Yeah, #87 is a great football player. He’s an even better person. His influence in this city will be felt years after his last catch. It may indeed be time for him to move on to the next stage of his life; the one after football. Rest assured, whatever he does, he will make a difference in things way more important than football. It’s what he does.