INDIANAPOLIS --- The Final Four in Indianapolis has ended and so has the #ColtsNation Bracket Challenge on Colts.com, with John "The Original" Bratton emerging victorious.
Bratton has been a season-ticket member EVERY year since the Colts moved to Indianapolis in 1984 (watch his story in the video above). He even has the ticket stubs to prove it. He beat out seven other #ColtsNation Super Fans in the bracket to win, in a contest decided solely by on-line fan voting.
"Looks like sitting through that 6-0 scab game in 1987 DID paid off. YES!!!" Bratton wrote to Colts.com. "What an overwhelming show of support I received. I heard from so many people who voted. So many from #ColtsNation! Lots of friends! A bunch from (Hamilton Southeastern High School) Royal Nation, and family both past and present. I even got a few from the Notre Dame women's basketball team!! It was a lot of fun."
The #ColtsNation Bracket Challenge has also brought Bratton and the seven other super fans in the bracket together.
"The eight of us were just representing all of the fans in #ColtsNation," Bratton said. "It was a privilege to do so. We are all looking forward to meeting each other sometime soon."
Bratton's next goal? Remember all those ticket stubs he has from being a season ticket member every year since '84? Well, Bratton's picture was on the ticket for the first Luck vs. Manning showdown at Lucas Oil Stadium in 2013. Bratton was able to get Manning to sign the ticket. Now, he hopes to get Luck to do the same at training camp.
"Training camp is fun as I sometimes get new drill ideas for our program while also getting a chance to see Joe (Reitz) practice," Bratton said. He is on the coaching staff for Hamilton Southeastern High School's football team, where Colts OL Joe Reitz played. "Hopefully I can get Andrew to finally sign my ticket as well."
So say hello to the #ColtsNation Bracket Champion, John "The Original" Bratton.
