Standford, Betts visit Wabash
By JOSH SIGLER
Friday, July 6, 2007 11:35 PM EDT
jsigler@wabashplaindealer.com
The 2007 Super Bowl Champion Indianapolis Colts brought their Make It Personal Tour to Wabash Friday, and were met with a warm acceptance by local residents.
Hundreds of citizens, young and old, flooded Paradise Spring Park to check out all the Make it Personal Tour had to offer, and the atmosphere could have been likened to a small carnival.
Colts quarterback Josh Betts and wide receiver John Standeford, as well as cheerleaders Megan and Sarah were on hand to greet the public and sign autographs.
Loyal fans waited in line - some for over three hours- for a chance to meet with the Colts and get their autographs.
Todd Dazey and family jumped in line at 2:00 p.m., waiting three hours to be the first in line to see Betts, Standeford and the cheerleaders.
"Well, I had the day off, so I figured I'd bring my kids out here to Paradise Spring," Dazey said.
"And we were thinking 'If we get in line first, great, and if not, we can get close to the front.' The strategy paid off because we ended up being the first ones in line, and I got to enjoy some time with my kids."
The autograph line stretched from the Market Street entrance of the park past the log cabins that sit in the back, but fans didn't seem to mind the wait or the heat.
"It's pretty neat that the Colts will come to a small town like this," Wabash resident Mark Hobbs, who was accompanied by his son Braden, said.
"My father, Dan, came out here at noon and there wasn't anyone here yet, so we got here about 3:30 and got in line."
Along with the players and cheerleaders, those in attendance were also treated to an informational walk-through booth with fun facts about the turf at the RCA Dome, the inner workings of a quarterback's helmet with a headset inside, and a monitor playing a virtual tour of Lucas Oil Stadium, the Colts' new stadium set to open in 2008.
Indiana Blood Center was on hand giving out flavored ice drinks, the United States Army had an informational booth and a stock car on hand, and a 12-foot high blow up version of the Vince Lombardi Trophy stood next to the autograph tables. The mascot, Blue, was in the middle of it all greeting fans as music blared from concert-style speakers.
"This is great for my daughter, because she loves football," Jennifer Hiner said of her daughter Shelby.
"She's been watching the Colts with her dad since she was two years old, and was so excited to come down here - when she found out they were going to be here, and screamed and jumped on the bed and started dancing."
Standeford is no stranger to small-town Indiana life.
He hails from Monrovia, where he was an Indiana All-Star in football and basketball, and also earned a trip to the State Finals in the 400 in track.
He attended Purdue and continued to excel, finishing his career as the Big Ten's all-time receptions leader.
"I think it's great for us to be out here, because things like this don't happen to a small town very often," he said.
"If this were my hometown, it'd be the same way. People would be excited to see the players. We have great fans who keep us motivated and energized, and it's nice to come back during the summer and be out here with them."
Betts is used life in the Midwest as well. Born in Vandalia, Ohio, he was a three-sport athlete in high school, and played his college football at Miami of Ohio, where he was Ben Roethlisberger's back up for a season.
Roethlisberger went on to win a Super Bowl with the Pittsburgh Steelers in 2006.
"I don't know what it is, but everywhere I go quarterback's win Super Bowls," Betts joked.
"But, it's been a great year. You can't ask for more, to come into a team like Indianapolis that has a team atmosphere, and to win a Super Bowl. It's a dream come true."
Betts and Standeford were given a taste of the local culture, as they were treated to a meal at the Market Street Grille before the tour started.
"The people in Wabash have been wonderful to us," Betts said.
"They kept the diner open for us and gave us a great lunch, and overall, it's been a pleasure to be here."
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