The Indianapolis Colts revealed their gameday themes for the upcoming 2023 season, and it seems like one other franchise Ring of Honor member could also be inducted earlier than the crew’s Week 7 sport towards the Cleveland Browns—which is listed as “Reveal July 17”:

Colts blindside franchise left sort out Tarik Glenn was the final member of the franchise’s spectacular Ring of Honor to be inducted—and that was throughout Week 8 of final season.

Proper now, the Colts nonetheless have just a few key members from that notorious 2006 crew that gained the Tremendous Bowl to wrap up earlier than shifting onto a number of the extra trendy period candidates resembling probably Pat McAfee, Andrew Luck, Anthony Castonzo, and for positive T.Y. Hilton, every time he finally retires. (Have in mind, I mentioned ‘probably’ right here earlier than beginning some type of pointless flame conflict. Let’s please follow the subject at hand).

So with out additional ado, listed below are the highest candidates to be enshrined into Colts soccer immortality—which crew proprietor Jim Irsay reportedly has a giant—and rightfully, the ultimate say in:

Photograph by Matt Detrich/Getty Pictures

Dallas Clark, Tight Finish (2003-11)

Drafted by the Colts within the first spherical of the 2003 NFL Draft out of Iowa, the 6’3”, 252 pound Clark grew to become arguably one of many inaugural modern-day receiving tight finish prototypes—who was far more of a slot large receiver than in-line blocker in enjoying fashion and skill.

Identified for his ‘gloveless’ sure-hands and high-end skill to supply legendary Colts quarterback Peyton Manning a dependable safety blanket and seam stretcher inside, Clark turn out to be probably the most productive tight ends of his period—even when he wasn’t fairly persistently Tony Gonzalez or Antonio Gates throughout the AFC positional pecking order.

Even when he resembled a linebacker himself at occasions, he was a serious mismatch in protection. Too huge for slot cornerbacks and too quick for linebackers to deal with.

Clark grew to become an NFL First-Crew All-Professional and Professional Bowler for the Colts in 2009 and was a Tremendous Bowl XLI Champion—and he had a essential catch within the Divisional Spherical towards the Baltimore Ravens with a linebacker/security draped throughout him that I’ll merely always remember.

In Colts historical past, Clark ranks all-time: fifth in receptions (427), ninth in receiving yards (4,887), and seventh in landing receptions (46) throughout his 9-year enjoying profession in Indianapolis.

Photograph by Michael Hickey/Getty Pictures

Bob Sanders, Security (2004-10)

‘The Hitman’ . . . ‘The Eraser’, no matter you need to name him, Sanders was merely bother for opposing offenses—as he’s the very last thing the ball provider wished to see flying at him in house or as a warmth in search of missile within the gap earlier than delivering complete knockout blows.

In truth, generally they could have by no means seen him coming in any respect as a banshee at security earlier than, because the Golden State Warriors’ Steph Curry now infamously gestures today, it was ‘Evening-Evening.’

He undoubtedly outplayed his draft place as a former 2nd spherical decide (Choose #44) of the Colts out of Iowa, like Clark, again within the 2004 NFL Draft—even when they needed to wait out some preliminary leg/foot accidents suffered from school.

Certainly one of my favourite quotes I really like essentially the most is that for the Colts, having Sanders return late of their title season for his or her as soon as struggling run protection was like “having their huge brother present as much as the playground combat.” He immediately reworked their whole protection and was a catalyst of their unbelievable 2006 Tremendous Bowl run. With out his return, the Colts don’t win a Tremendous Bowl that yr. His presence and dynamic playmaking on the backend modified your entire identification and feeling of that protection—notably towards the opposing floor sport.

When absolutely wholesome—which granted wasn’t all that usually, Sanders was as elite as any NFL security in his period—together with future NFL Corridor of Famers Ed Reed and Troy Polamalu. His profession was sadly lower brief by accidents, as perhaps gamers of his shorter dimension aren’t alleged to be that sturdy, quick, and athletic, however boy did his peak ever burn shiny for Indianapolis.

Nonetheless one of many largest Colts fan favorites in Indy folklore, name him Paul ‘Bob Sanders’ Bunyan (*I nonetheless have my white #21 jersey bought in highschool from his enjoying profession), Sanders is the one participant in Horeshoe franchise historical past to win NFL Defensive Participant of the 12 months (2007). He was additionally a 2x NFL First-Crew All-Professional and NFL Professional Bowler for Indianapolis.

Sanders completed his 7-year Colts profession with 295 tackles (222 solo), 3.5 sacks, 6 interceptions, and 4 fumble recoveries throughout 48 video games (46 profession begins). He was as huge of a distinction maker and playmaker as I’ve ever seen defensively on the NFL degree.

Bob was a boss.

Photograph by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Pictures

Adam Vinatieri, Placekicker (2006-19)

Whereas Justin Tucker will be the most bodily gifted kicker in NFL historical past, Vinatieri remains to be the GOAT in my books from his legendary playoff heroics, elite consistency, and longevity. There was some thought at one level that like a wonderful wine, he may be nonetheless kicking for the Colts coming into the yr 2023 and on the ripe outdated age of 51—nonetheless ageing slightly gracefully.

Regardless that Vinatieri’s longtime and extremely productive profession with the Colts ended slightly abruptly—simply in need of 600 made profession discipline objectives at 599 in 2019, possible due to a mix of father time lastly catching up with him at age 47 and lingering hip/leg accidents, it’s not laborious to neglect how essential he was for the franchise by means of the years.

(And sure, he’s now formally retired since Could of 2021.)

Because the unstable Mike Vanderjagt’s alternative in 2006—and poached from the rival New England Patriots, the place he already confirmed he may make championship caliber kicks, Vinatieri ended up being the most effective free agent signings in Colts franchise historical past.

Like Sanders and Clark, the Colts don’t win a Tremendous Bowl in 2006 with out him, particularly concerning his 5 for five in made discipline objectives towards the Baltimore Ravens on the highway within the Divisional Spherical throughout powerful climate/discipline situations—which have been the one factors Indianapolis managed to attain of their slim 15-6 victory, towards a notoriously stingy Ray Lewis and Ed Reed-led protection.

Vinatieri grew to become a crew captain and locker room chief for the Colts, serving to to bridge the hole between the Peyton Manning and Andrew Luck eras—together with different star holdovers resembling Reggie Wayne and Robert Mathis in that regard.

Whereas he was spectacular (and arguably already a Corridor of Famer) earlier than becoming a member of the Colts with the Patriots, he truly performed extra video games in Indianapolis—and was an NFL First-Crew All-Professional and Professional Bowler, in addition to grew to become the NFL’s all-time scoring chief with the Horseshoe.

He made 336 of 394 discipline aim makes an attempt (85.3%) and 507 of his 524 PAT makes an attempt (96.8%) in Indianapolis throughout his 14-year Indy profession. The GOAT’s the most effective to ever do it at kicker, and imagine it or not, the Colts franchise and followers finally gained him over—that different crew.