'Embarrassment and Shame' - Inside the Colts' Pathetic Display of Sportsmanship
by adelfish | 3 years ago | 0 Comments
'Embarrassment & Shame: Inside the Colts' Pathetic Display of Sportsmanship'
'Run offsides.'
'What coach? Say that again.'
'Run offisdes. Fucking do it.'
The linebacker runs to the line of scrimmage, past the offensive line of Indianapolis.
*Whistle.* 'Flag on the play.'
'Do it again.'
'Coach, we have 12 seconds left, let's just get out of here.'
'DO IT!!'
*Whistle.* 'Flag on the play.'
Colts owner Jeff Beersay stands up in his suite as he watches the second intentional offisides. He moves his bloodshot eyes to the scoreboard. 41 SEA - 26 IND.
The game, and the Colts' season, was ending before his eyes. And he watched as the Colts prolonged the inevitable by jumping offsides. Something else caught his eye.
Colts head coach Greg threw his headset. He saw the Bose logo split as it shattered on the ground, and he watched his highly paid and controversial leader walk for the locker room, beckoning his team off the field.
Beersay headed for the suite exit. He knew a long day was about to get worse.
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The Colts sat at 8-5 before the plane ride to Seattle, one game back of the 7th seed in the AFC playoffs. The Colts have missed the playoffs for two straight seasons, as owner Jeff Beersay watched his ecentric head coach/GM Greg dismantle a talented roster, and then finish in the bottom half of the confrerence for two straight years.
With a big game against a beatable Seattle team, Beersay needed to make it known to Greg how important this game was.
Sources say Coach Greg was called into Beersay's office. On the wall behind him were some of Beersay's past hires - Coach Sin, Mans, Snyder. All winners on and off the field. The Greg hire was a step away from the high character that the Colts were used to seeing, but after a very successful cycle in Dallas, they took a chance on the up and comer.
'Greg, we need this one. I don't like to use the term hot seat, or want to put any extra pressure on you, but this game means a lot to me. It's been two years since we've had a chance to hoist a trophy. This team is the one that can get it done. Get it done.'
Sources say Coach Greg walked away from that encounter with a nervous sweat. He did in fact, feel that pressure. This game was a must win.
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As the game slipped away in Seattle, sources say that Greg's behavior on the sideline grew very strange. Players told RZBR that Greg would mutter into his headset that he couldn't believe this was happening.
As the Seahawks trotted out onto their field to kneel the ball with 20 seconds remaining, and claim their 9th win of the season, Coach Greg's blood pressure rose. His eyes traveled to the suite box where Beersay was sitting. He could feel the gaze on him. So he made a decision.
The Colts stormed off the field behind their head coach. The film clip RZBR obtained had him shouting numerous profanities at opposing players and fans. It was a terrible look for the Colts.
'I'm embarrassed and ashamed. This is a dark day for our franchise. We lost our composure, and disrespected out opponent tremendously. Our coach preaches accountability, and today he had none. I don't know yet where we go from here.' - Beersay postgame.
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The league office handed down a punishment to the Colts hours following the game.
- Running back Jonathan Taylor will miss all of Season 75
- The Colts will lose their 1st round draft pick in the coming draft
- The Colts will no longer be able to trade for the remainder of this cycle
- Greg will recieve final offers come next coaching carousel
'Having a coach command his players to act against the rules of our CBA and spit in the face of the League is something that we won't stand for. This is a sad day for the Red Zone, it deserves better.' - Commissioner Mojica
'The Colts offices came to us first as soon as the game ended. They know what they did was unacceptable at this level. It is what it is.' - Commissioner Allen
A message was sent to Commissioner Panos for comment, but it was left on read.
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The Colts must decide now where they stand. After this embarassing display, how can they stand by their coach? Do they believe he will learn from this experience?
A comment from an AFC South division rival sums this situation up perfectly:
'We owe it to the other 31 owners to play the game with integrity and stay true to our competitive values. This was a clear violation of that responsibility and the Colts ownership should be ashamed they put themselves in that situation.
The flagrant disregard for the rulebook and for the time that an opponent put in due to allegedly being frustrated is unacceptable. The Colts ownership and coaches ower their players, and league members a strong apology. Surely changes could be coming in Indianapolis.'
I've been doing this job for almost 10 years, and I've never seen a coach call for another coach's job.
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Coach Greg could not be reached for comment on this story.