Thursday would have been a good day for Colts fans no matter what. Their team was less than a week out from training camp, meaning fans were less than a week away from hearing about – and seeing – their favorite players back in action. They were finally getting to read previews for different storylines and players to watch out for in the upcoming weeks, only increasing the anticipation and excitement for the 2024 season. It was a beautiful, sunny day in Indianapolis, the air was starting to smell like football and it didn't seem like it could get much better.
Then, it did. Anthony Richardson showed up.
The quarterback made a surprise appearance at Speedway High School Thursday afternoon, partnering with VICIS and Certor Sports to surprise the Speedway football team with new VICIS helmets – the same helmet Richardson himself wears – for their upcoming season. He was, unsurprisingly, greeted with cheers, applause and thanks from the athletes as he took the time to pose for pictures and autograph everything from shirts to shoes and mini Colts helmets.
"I've got to make myself available," Richardson said about making the in-person appearance at Speedway High School. "If I would just donate the helmets, they wouldn't know if it was truly me. So why not come out here and show some love and shake hands with them."
Richardson, at 22 years old, is not all too far removed from some of the older players on the team, creating a stronger bond between him and the players.
"It means a lot to be able to give back in the position I'm in," he said. "I've always been a giver. My mom, she's given me almost everything I've got to this day so I kind of embraced that from her, so whenever I get the opportunity to give and just help somebody out I'm running towards that."
Among the excitement and heartfelt emotions of the event, there was an additional rush of anticipation when Richardson said what every Colts fan has been hoping to hear since June, when he missed the final practice of veteran mini-camp with a sore shoulder: he's healthy.
"I'm feeling really good," Richardson said. "I've been doing it all, you know, we've got a game coming up soon, so I've got to be ready."
Richardson said he has been working with all of "his guys" in the past couple of weeks, as he met up with some of his receivers – including Michael Pittman Jr. and Adonai Mitchell – in California last week. Richardson was all smiles Thursday, clearly excited to both give back to the local community and talk football. But he couldn't give everything away, and sometimes had to let his smile speak for itself – just like it did when he was asked if he was fully cleared to go for training camp.
"You'll see next week once I'm slinging that thing again," he said with a grin. "So just stay tuned."
