Colts and Irvin

First, last night I did like I do sometimes and start searching on the internet for one thing and that leads me to something else totally unexpected. I was looking for information about this one CD because I had heard a song from it on the radio. Searching for it led me to this one website for Christian music (in Canada of all places). I decided to check out the website some more and on it I found an article about Colts punter Hunter Smith and this other guy, Chris Wilson, signing with a record label to record a Chirstian music album. How cool is that! I was going to print out the article, but the article on that site wasn't printer friendly, so I copied the title of the article and did an internet search on it. I found the article here on this page: http://biz.yahoo.com/prnews/070207/clww091.html?.v=1.

At the end of this page was the MySpace website for Smith's group Connersvine, where you can here three of the songs. They sound really good, kind of like Third Day and Jeremy Camp.: http://www.myspace.com/connersvine.

Also, on that website was a link to their website where you can order their preview CD: http://www.connersvine.com/, or go straight to the main website to download the songs: http://www.connersvine.com/completion.html?tx=13138828FP016801U&st=Completed&amt=5.00&cc=USD&cm=&sig=d4k2ciwLdH46uB%2fTiv9hL23UhFpjfbfwYIBYqThhNyShIGcmcsxXBSptD07Tn2uiPmA25Vz8fkxVz7gX8mWxtt2%2f973UmU6%2fuDieEdgbAKjeXSqZUYsPuAfneKeYYt5%2fNsUqQPE48Yp5t5oG31mI3Ar6wpc2Ji2Vim5l0vB8yPA%3d.

These links are also listed with the Christian music artists links.

Next, an article about new Hall-of-Famer and former Cowboy wide receiver Michael Irvin: http://www.bpsports.net/bpsports.asp?ID=5546.

Here's an article about Colts head coach Tony Dungy during the Colts Super Bowl post-game trophy presentation: http://www.bpsports.net/bpsports.asp?ID=5545.

Here's another article about Tony Dungy after the Super Bowl. Here's some a quote:

Their relationship dates to 1996, when Dungy hired Smith to coach linebackers for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. They were a page-one story throughout Super Bowl week, discussing daily the laid-back personalities and Christian faith they share, as well as their groundbreaking success.

"I'm proud to be the first African-American coach to win this," Dungy said during the trophy ceremony.

"But again, more than anything, Lovie Smith and I are not only African-American but also Christian coaches, showing you can do it the Lord's way. We're more proud of that."

The Colts had been perennial title contenders since Dungy became coach in 2002, but fell short each year. Before that, he had four winning seasons at Tampa Bay but failed to reach the title game.

The breakthrough came two weeks ago, when Indianapolis overcame an 18-point deficit to beat New England.

"The Lord doesn't always take you in a straight line," Dungy said. "He tests you sometimes."

Here's the article: http://www.ajc.com/sports/content/sports/falcons/stories/2007/02/05/0205dungy.html.

Also, an article with the speeches made by Colts owner Jim Irsay, team president Bill Polian, Tony Dungy, and quarterback Peyton Manning at the Super Bowl celebration last Monday at the Dome. Here's part of what Dungy had to say, which I think is great and says what the best part about the team:

"When Jim Irsay called me five years ago, called me at my home in Tampa, and he said ‘I want you to be our coach,' he said ‘I want you to win a Super Bowl.' We talked about that, and we decided that day that's what were going to set out to do.

"We also decided we're going to win one, but we're going to win one the right way, with great guys, with class and dignity and we are going to win it in a way that would make Indianapolis proud -- and I think we've accomplished that.

"We've got a tremendous team back here, from player 1 to player 53, they are just an awesome group. The thing I love about these guys is there is not one guy you wouldn't want your son to be like, and that's probably more important to me than anything. They are great players but they are great young men.

"I've said it a lot over the last couple weeks but every day I just thank the Lord for bringing me here and putting me with this owner, with this general manager and with these young men. And with you. Thank you so much."

Here's the article: http://www.indystar.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070205/SPORTS03/70205031&theme=.

Here's an article about the parade and celebration in Indy last Monday. Here's a quote about what the players wanted for the parade, opting to ride on open floats instead of buses in weather that felt like below zero:

Some players reportedly pushed for some kind of contact with the fans, rather than be whisked through the parade route to the Dome in the relative warmth of their buses.

Here's the article: http://www.indystar.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070206/SPORTS03/702060386/1100/SPORTS03.

Lastly, an article about the celebration in the Dome. The parade and celebration in the Dome were televised on the CBS station there, so watcing it was awesome. The great part about the parade was that the fans reached out to touch the hands of the players and the players were reaching right back out to them. The best parts about the celebration in the Dome were when Colts radio broadcaster Bob Lamey introduced Peyton he said, "If you like 6'5", 220, laser rocket arm..." The other good part was when the special teams came up (Smith, Vinatieri, and Snow) and Hunter Smith spoke for them. He said something like, "Here's Adam Vinatieri, the best kicker in the world, Justin Snow the best long snapper in the world, and I'm the guy that you don't want to see out there." Here's the article: http://www.indystar.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070206/SPORTS03/702060394/1100/SPORTS03.