Some Thankful Thoughts on this Thanksgiving

On this Thanksgiving day, I thought it would be appropriate to give thanks to those that deserve it.

• Family and friends of course for always being there.
• Military—those brave men and women putting their life on the line to protect the integrity and people of the United States.
• Tom Crean for redirecting the Indiana basketball program—acknowledging and learning from the past, while continuing the tradition.
• Fred Glass, the re-energized Athletic Director of Indiana has done so many right things to improve the athletic program.
• Bill Polian…is there a better GM in the NFL? He has made so many great picks over the years for the Colts from choosing Peyton Manning over Ryan Leaf or the Edge over Ricky Williams; the countless decisions he has made in the draft or free agency has made the Colts the most successful and respected team this decade.
• Peyton Manning—the classy, studious, outgoing, MVP QB has reunited the Colts fans with such a fantastic spectacle each week. 3 MVP’s and counting, along with this franchise’s only Superbowl…and more to come we hope. Manning and his teammates truly represent the city well with great character and honor.
• Herb & Mel Simon have been instrumental with the success of Indianapolis. They bought the Pacers and have tremendous leaders through the good and bad times. Without them, the city would be less developed and possibly without the Colts.
• The Indiana Fever for their dedication and success this past summer. Everybody counted them out, their fan base was low, but they continued to win…all the way to the WNBA Finals where they fell to the Phoenix Mercury; however, it brought great attention to women’s basketball, Tamika Catchings, and the Fever. Ticket sales are up, the team will return for their 11th year in search of their first championship.
• The great state of Indiana, full of successful teams and athletes. Whether it’s high-school basketball where central Indiana has produced the likes of Eric Gordon, George Hill, Courtney Lee, Greg Oden, Mike Conley to name a few is remarkable. There have also been so much talent at the college level, in addition to the successful, tradition-rich programs like Indiana basketball and Notre Dame football. While neither program is where it wants to be, the rebuilding continues and the future is bright. Then of course in Indiana, we have special teams like the Colts, Pacers, Fever, Indians and Ice.

Enjoy time with your family, great food and football on the tube while reflecting back on teams and players not to take for granted. Happy Thanksgiving