LANDOVER, Md. — It's all about conviction.
Down the road, when Frank Reich reflects on his very first win as an NFL head coach, it's all about conviction.
Reich on Sunday led his Indianapolis Colts team to an impressive 21-9 victory over the Washington Redskins at FedExField in Landover, Md., and when the first-year Colts head coach found his way into the locker room after the game, his players, staff and those in the front office were more than happy to express their pure jubilation.
With first victories comes first victory speeches, and this is what Reich had to tell his team after the win:
"Last night, we talked about playing with conviction. We said the repetition of affirmation leads to belief, right? And when that belief gets deep, it gets conviction, right? And when that conviction comes, what happens? Something happens! And that happened today. That happened today. That was conviction laying all over that field. It's like, they're going to have to take a long time to clean up all that stuff. And you guys laid it out there, men — you laid it out there for 60 minutes. And I'm so proud of that effort, from start to finish. That was fun stuff right there."
Waiting for Reich after those initial comments was a game ball from the team's owner, Jim Irsay.
"For coach, you guys earned this for him — his first victory in the National Football League," Irsay said as he handed the ball to Reich. "One of many to come. Coach, congratulations. So proud."
After executing an impromptu dance move inspired by the popular video game Fortnite — prompted by tight end Eric Ebron, whose touchdown reception got the Colts on the scoreboard and gave them the lead on their very first drive of the game — Reich expressed his gratitude, and laid the foundation for the expectations moving forward.
"I told you guys last night how much I appreciate that — how much I appreciate you," Reich said. "I think we've got something special. We're just starting out, right? And Mr. Irsay, I really appreciate this — more than you know. It means a lot. It means a lot. And that word, conviction, will go on this ball for me, because I'll remember each guy in this room. Hey — it's a new era of Colts football, and for Colts Nation, right? We're gonna start something new and fresh here. And we're gonna pay respect to all the people who have gone before us, but we're gonna to bring some juice — we're gonna bring some juice week in and week out."
