Dungy, Colts Players Say Indianapolis Ready for a Super
Bowl
ATLANTA, Ga. – The city of Indianapolis came last year. Real close.
As far as Colts Head Coach Tony Dungy is concerned, the city shouldn't have to settle for a second-place finish this year.
The city of Indianapolis, which last May narrowly lost a bid to host the 2011 Super Bowl, on Tuesday will bid to host Super Bowl XLVI in February of 2012. The members of the city's Super committee will submit its bid at the Spring 2008 NFL Owners Meeting at the Ritz-Carlton Buckhead in Atlanta.
"It's something I think our city deserves," Dungy said.
Dungy, entering his seventh season as the Colts' head coach, in February of 2007 became the first African-American head coach to win a Super Bowl. He also played for the Pittsburgh Steelers when they won Super Bowl XI following the 1978 season.
Dungy, who helped the city present last year's bid, is less involved this year, and joked on Monday weekend that when something doesn't work it's natural to try something else.
But on a more serious note, Dungy said the city of Indianapolis is a worthy location for the 2012 game.
"I think it would be great for the city of Indianapolis, but we'll see what happens," Dungy said at the Ritz-Carlton Monday.
Dungy said he is on the "second-string" in this year's presentation.
"I'm just a cheerleader and moral sup," Dungy said. "I'm just here to show how much it means to us and the fact that it is important to Indianapolis. We have an outstanding presentation.
"It will speak to what our city has to offer and hopefully, it's good enough."
Colts players this past weekend at the team's 2008 rookie/veteran minicamp also said the city and Lucas Oil Stadium – the state-of-the-art, retractable-roof stadium scheduled to open in downtown Indianapolis in August – are Super Bowl-worthy.
"I think it would be good," Colts wide receiver Reggie Wayne, who has been with the team the past seven seasons, said. "I think the city of Indianapolis deserves it. I haven't seen the new stadium – I've just seen the outside – but I'm sure it's going to be state of the art. I think it would just be great.
"It would be a great message to the city and also to the state of Indiana, just to have such a big stage right here in the middle of the city. I think they deserve it and hopefully they can get it."
Said Colts six-year veteran tight end Dallas Clark, "It would be tremendous. It (Indianapolis) would be a great host for it – an up-and-coming city and a lot of fun things to do. I think it would be great for the city."
Peyton Manning, the Colts' quarterback and a two-time National Football League Most Valuable Player, has played in Indianapolis the past 10 seasons, and lives there year-round. He said this past weekend he didn't want to appear to be campaigning for a Super Bowl, but said, "certainly, I would hope the Super Bowl does come our way in 2012.
"I think the city deserves it," Manning said. "I think the city would do a great job hosting it."
Said Dungy, "Most venues that have put a new stadium in have gotten a Super Bowl in the near future. We're hoping it comes through. I know we've put a lot of work into it again.
"I think we have a great proposal again this year and we're very hopeful."
