[
]()
INDIANAPOLIS –Reggie Wayne has had a wondrous career with the Colts over the past 12 seasons.
With 968 receptions for 13,063 yards and 78 touchdowns, Wayne ranks as one of the game's top career performers. His 92 receptions in the playoffs rank second in NFL history and this past season, Wayne was selected to the Pro Bowl for the seventh time.
Chief among the reasons for his success is his work ethic and attention to detail. That approach has gained him an honor by being selected to the 2012 USA Football All-Fundamentals Team.
Wayne is one of 26 players so honored, 11 on offense and defense and four special teamers who display exemplary techniques for younger players to emulate.
Identified as a "pillar" player by Colts Head Coach Chuck Pagano, Wayne had 106 receptions for 1,355 yards and five touchdowns in 2012. Pagano said during the year that Wayne was a player he would not want to compete without.
Andrew Luck felt much the same way as he and Pagano went into their first seasons as an NFL quarterback and head coach, and Luck described how Wayne's preparation helps him rise to key occasions.
"Big moments, he controls," said Luck. "He's going to make the play. He's going to get the first down, the touchdown. He's going to be there in the big moments. On top of that, (is) the consistency – every day in practice, every play on the field."
This is the fourth year of the All-Fundamentals Team, and USA Football leaders select players who employ proper technique, particularly when blocking and tackling, which fosters better on-field performance and inherent safety benefits.
Wayne is cited by the association as one of the NFL's best route-runners who break down a defense through intellect and the ability to "run away from man-to-man or find the holes and sit down against a zone."
The team was selected by a committee of former players or administrators that included Tom Carter, Charles Davis, Herm Edwards, Merril Hoge and Carl Peterson.
Wayne joins Jeff Saturday (2009) and Antoine Bethea (2010) as Colts honored with this award.
"Football never stands still, yet strong fundamentals are timeless," said Peterson. "According to medical experts, players who master the fundamentals and learn them at younger ages are safer as they progress within the sport.
"Many NFL players exhibit excellent fundamental skills, and those on this roster are extraordinary. We're proud to recognize them."
Each player chosen for the All-Fundamentals Team receives a $1,500 equipment grant from USA Football to donate to the youth or high school football program of his choice.
USA Football, the sport's national governing body in the United States, is the official youth football development partner of the Colts, the NFL and each of the league's other 31 teams.
USA Football has educated more than 100,000 youth football coaches in all 50 states and Washington, D.C., through its online courses and single-day coaching clinics. Approximately three million American children age 6-14 play organized tackle football, placing it among the country's most popular youth sports.
A fan vote will determine All-Fundamentals Team captains at www.facebook.com/usafootball. Fans may vote for one captain on offense, defense and special teams. USA Football will award each of the three captains a $3,000 equipment grant to donate and an All-Fundamentals Team helmet trophy. Voting is open through Jan. 21.
