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Reggie Wayne Honored With Key to the City

By Dave McKee

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Reggie Wayne is no longer on the Indianapolis Colts, but he is forever a member of the Indianapolis community.

Indianapolis Mayor Greg Ballard presented the key to the city to former Indianapolis Colts wide receiver and future Hall of Famer Reggie Wayne on Friday July 17th.

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The presentation was  during Indiana University’s Pacers Sports and Entertainment Luncheon at the Indiana Black Expo. It was there at the Expo Center where Reggie Wayne began his career with the Colts at the former site of the RCA Dome.

The Colts announced back in March, that they would not be re-signing Wayne, ending his 14-year career with the Colts. Currently, 36-year old Reggie Wayne – the all-time franchise leader in wins – remains a free agent.

Kevin Bowen of Colts.com highlighted Mayor Ballard’s presentation speech:

"“Those who show strong work ethic day-in-and-day-out usually do pretty well in life. They succeed and then become good role models for everybody else and I think that is what Reggie has done over these years. He’s been terrific for the city of Indianapolis.“"

Mayor Ballard regularly attended Indianapolis Colts games wearing number 87, Reggie Wayne’s jersey. He described Wayne as an “adopted son of the city” after his 14 years of dedication to the team, the Indianapolis community and especially the children of the city.

Soon after Ballard’s speech Reggie Wayne took the podium:

"A lot of people always ask me why I do what I do,” Wayne said on Friday. “I do it because I love to see the smiles on the kids faces. Growing up as a kid, I didn’t have those opportunities to meet athletes like that, so for me to go around and being able to see a young boy, young girl and take a picture with them…the kid in me comes out. I enjoy seeing them smile.”“I just want to give back to the community and let them know that I do care and I wasn’t always like this. That’s why I do this.”"

What’s next for Reggie Wayne? According to Mike Wells of ESPN.com Wayne has received calls from several teams who have voiced their interests in his services for 2015.

Wayne told RTV-6 reporter Eric Cox that he hopes to play one more season before hanging up his cleats for good.

Wayne had suffered a torn triceps in late October last season and had offseason surgery to repair the tear. He told Stephen Holder of the Indianapolis Star that he still feels great and in better shape than he has been in a long time.

Wayne wanted to finish his career in Indianapolis. If he does join another team for this season his wishes to stay with one team throughout his career will not happen. At the same time, he wants to prove that he can go out on his terms with a better season if he is going to say farewell to the game. In this modern era of football hardly any player can stay with the team that drafted him. Just ask Peyton Manning, or Hall of Famers Joe Montana and Jerry Rice.

He may not play for Indianapolis anymore but he is forever a member of the Indianapolis community.

"“It’s humbling to receive this honor. I’m very thankful,” Wayne said on Friday. “I may not be playing for the Colts, but I’m still circling (Black Expo) weekend every year to make sure that I’m here. They say I’m a, ‘Hoosier’ so I’m here.”“When I got off the plane yesterday, I told myself, ‘Welcome home.’ To me that’s what it will always be and I’ll make sure it stays that way.”"

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