Training Camp 2000s

[RWB]

Clearing out some stuff on my laptop. Photo I took of the players parking lot during training camp mid 2000s I would think.

[RWB]

Have to wonder if maxed out vehicles are still a thing or are the players a little more subdued in today's generation?

[dal9]

I don't think I'd want to be driving a Hummer today, even on an NFL player's salary

[RWB]

Now that I'm retired and the older I get I'm starting to forget some experiences I had not only in life but when i worked with the Colts for 10 or was it 11 years. So if folks don't mind I'll be posting a few memories that pop up before they're gone. Some will be interesting and some will be boring as heck. But they will be a glimpe behind the scenes you normally don't hear from a Gregg Doyle or Bob Kravitz report.

[RWB]

So we'll start out with something simple. My thumbnail photo on the left is a picture of Peyton and I from a surveilance camera taken the last day of training camp (2010?) I think. If you worked for or around Peyton he was not a big fan of sigining an autograph for you. Big handshake person or picture taken but not the signature. I guess he felt you were a fellow worker (part of the team) and not a fan and this was more professional. Having said that being his bodyguard for 6 years during training camps I did get one autographed picture. It was after a night practice and he had been signing more than hour an ready to leave the practice field. I had two pictures, one for another officer who helped me, and one for myself in a folder. I brought them out and asked if he would sign them. He gave me a $h!tty look and asked who are these for? I apologized and said they were for me and fellow officer Josh G. He kind of nodded, didn't ask if we wanted them personalized, but did take the time to do some nice legible signatures. Of course I still have the photo and actually did have if framed. I have two grown sons who are married and both have boys (my grandsons). Time for me to give it up and now i have to figure whick side get's it. i raised both of them to love the Colts and Pacers. I'll figure it out since the Mrs. has an autographed playoff towel signed by Reggie so each family will get something neat.

[Basketball Fan]

Have to wonder if maxed out vehicles are still a thing or are the players a little more subdued in today's generation?

People don't have $$$ like that anymore and if they do it's not really worth it as I don't see anyone wanting to keep up with the Jones' anymore.

[RWB]

So I've told this before and it does seem to be the one story newspapers like to run back in the day when they ran out of Peyton stories to write. They would talk to me for a different perspective.

So once again training camp and I stand along the sideline until practice is over. I'm wearing one of the bright lime green shirts so Peyton can see me easily. The fans line up along the ropeline several people deep about a 40 yard (sometimes more) clip. Peyton picks where he wants to start and we go from there. It's the usual pushing and shoving and my job is not only to protect Peyton but to make sure the kids don't get squished. Crazy how bad adults can get. There was one really pushy, chunky ,maybe 11 year old kid who kept trying to get Peyton to sign his football. Peyton was signing for everyone but wouldn't for this kid. We were out there for over an hour and this kid kept walking down the line trying to get his football signed. We finally get near the end and this happened.

I finally look at Peyton and ask him "are you going to sign the kid's football or not"? Peyton tells me "give it to me" and he signs the football. Me smiling hands it back to the kid saying there you go littleman. The kid then says "woo hoo I just made $20 bucks". Peyton gives me this $h1+ look and says I signed for him last year.Shoot I couldn't remember who he signed for in the last hour. That was the last time I ever sort of challenged him.

He did explain to me later if he didn't sign for some folks there is a reason. He had an adult sitting in their hotel lobby when the team was in Carolina in an arm sling. Peyton sits on the couch and the guy pulls his arm and a football out of the sling and asks for his autograph. Good lesson for me and it made me understand why players don't seem so friendly with fans there maybe a reason.

[Lord Helmet]

I always enjoyed your training camp updates. Helped get me hyped for the season!

[vapacersfan]

RWB, I have always enjoyed your stories!

Unless you have a NDA that prevents it I would think about a blog or something like that to capture all of these stories

[RWB]

Thanks all, appreciate the kind words. No NDA but some of the stories I'll be telling is more for friends rather than out in public so a blog frankly might be inappropriate. I'll be revealing real players, staff, and reporters names. And not to make someone look bad but could be embarrassing. The next one I post may be a better example why the story is hidden away here in little ole PD.

[RWB]

Not sure if anyone will remember the guy (I can't even remember the year) but here is something different. Jason Belsar (sp?) was a cornerback or safety at the time and early in Colts camp they supplied pretty much any established player a golf cart to drive around. Side note: in later years they restricted this a lot. Back to story..... The residence halls the players stayed in had one entrance only to use and the door was guarded by armed police officers 24/7. The hall Belsar was staying in was 4 stories tall and his room was on the 4th floor. As the story goes you'll see why this is important.

The Colts main office receives a phone call from an alleged fan advising they found and have in their possessiion a Colts playbook. They are willing to return it to the team not for money but if they get to meet personally with Peyton Manning. First the thought is this person is lying through their teeth but it was so odd a phone number was taken down just in case.

Sometime later Jason Belsar reports his playbook is missing and says it has been stolen from his room. Normally you take someone at their word but once again , one entrance, gun carrying police, and all the way on the 4th floor. So one thing was certain the call was legit and an Indy playbook was out in public. A call back was made an a meeting with Peyton planned with the caller (Peyton was not involved and the caller was just told this).

Trying to figure out how this person got a playbook was perplexing until surveillance video was viewed. Side note: Remember everybody in this world even back then there are cameras everywhere.....Well it just so happened a camera did pick up something. Video showed Jason driving his cart pretty fast and making a sharp left hand turn. His playbook flew right off the seat and falls into a grassy area where fans would sometime gather to get autographs. At some point you see a guy and gal find it and walk away.

So arrangements are made and the couple are invited to meet Peyton and to please bring the playbook. I was not involved in anyway of setting this up but was requested to keep one of the parties (the female busy) while the other entered the interview room where he was met by two PD detectives.

The couple arrived and the lady had the shortest dress I have ever seen in my life. Seriously her butt cheeks were hanging out and there is no doubt she really wanted to make an impression. Supposedly this was a married couple and I could only think wow I feel so sorry for the guy if his partner pulled this stunt. So the guy was let back into the restricted area and my job was to keep her occupied. She wouldn't sit still and kept getting up and walking around. He was back there for about 15 minutes and she kept looking at her watch asking what's taking so long.

He finally comes out carrying an actual Colts helmet but looking pretty bewildered. I can't say if this is right or wrong but it is what happened. She asks when can I go back and he explains it's not going to happen. We're lucky we're not going to jail they think we may have stolen it. So to compensate for the playbook a $300 dollar helmet was given but the guy was instructed to stand in line like everybody else to get autographs. She was pretty much ballistic and frankly made such a scene she was told either to calm down or be escorted off the campus.

I was told later if they had not basically held the playbook for ransom they would have got the helmet with Peyton's autograph on it but no way would they set up a meeting with Peyton. The only regret I kind of have was the proof they did not steal it but they (actually the guy) was put on the spot apparently (I was not in the room) saying he may have stole it. If you've seen enough of true crime shows I guess the good cop bad cop in action.

[RWB]

More of a feel good story for this one and an example I think most players do care about the fan base that supports them. This took place after a really scorching August practice when everyone wanted to get out of the sun including fans. It was so hot even they didn't stick around looking to get autographs. Except for three young men hanging around wearing long sleeve shirts and backpacks. I felt sorry for them and our PD/Sheriff Dept/Public Safety folks had access to either water or gatorade drinks to hydrate. They looked like they were going to pass out so I offered them drinks. First I am a human being but also didn't want some folks passing out in front of me. The way they were dressed I assumed they were probably with some church group with the buttoned up long sleeve shirts.

Indeed they were and actually Mormons. Turned out they were from Utah and had the opportunity to stop by Colts camp.They stuck around with the hope of meeting Rob Morris the linebacker. I told them I can't promise anything but if I saw him I would let him know he had some fans here.

After practice the players would shower and then exit a building called the SRC. They would then proceed to a dining hall nearby for lunch. I kept watching and did see Rob Morris exit the SRC side door. He had ice on both knees and frankly walking like an 80 year old person. You could tell he was wore out and hurting. You know at the time it seemed Rob Morris kind of got a bad wrap from fans for not living up to being a first round pick.

That day he was a 1st round good guy. I told him about the young fellas and pointed to them standing up the road about a football field length away in their hot attire. Rob kind let out a sigh and said sure I'd like to meet them. Of course were in a restricted area and I have to tell him I would like to send them to you but I can't. So Rob Morris walking tin man trudges his way to the guys. Maybe 10 minutes of handshakes, photos, and signatures the guys from Utah got to meet their hero. Rarely were these guys Prima Donnas and they really do care about those who support them.

[RWB]

Just realized with this story I actually fibbed earlier. I did in fact ask Peyton for an autograph twice and not just once, but it was not for me personally. My son at the time played high school basketball and before their season started the team and parents were trying to come up with additional funds for players who couldn't afford shoes/etc. Since I was around the Colts I thought what the heck maybe I could get a few signatures on a Colts hat and put it up for auction.

So I was able to get Peyton to sign. What's really crazy was I got Marvin Harrison to sign the cap and he's not one to sign much at all. Finally the trifecta was getting Edge to sign. However I was never around him very much until I had a strange opportunity. The practice fields were adjacent to a county jogging trail where the players would hop on golf carts with Colt interns or a 14 passenger bus for a ride out there. We would monitor the trail at moving time to make sure the players were not harrased. On this particular day I'm sitting on a 4 wheel ATV waiting for the bus to depart when Edgerin comes up and asks if he can borrow it. I'm kind of stunned since this came out of the blue.

He explains how he owns so many ATVs at home and he just wants to borrow it down to the fields. Funny as hell in his pleas he keeps calling me officer dawg. For a split second I think do I let him and I come to my senses and unfortunately tell him no. I tell him I wish I could but if he wrecked or got hurt not only would I lose my job but would have a thousand fans wanting to hang me for it. He just smiled, said ok, and hopped on the bus.

Later during the practice I spoke with my Director at the time and Mike Zunk (he was head of Colts security in Indy and former Chief of Police Indy) about my conversation with Edge. I told them about my project with the charity hat and how I probably blew it getting Edges signature at some point. Then came the bomb shell. Both my boss and Mike Zunk said he's a grown man you should have let him take the ATV. I know my jaw dropped and thought you got to be &h!++ing me. I had that opportunity and blew it.

Oh but not all was lost. Practice was still in full swing and just maybe I could still meet my goal. I waited on the sideline like usual and I should have bought a lottery ticket cause Peyton picked a day not to sign autographs. Operation Edge came into being. I hop on the 4 wheeler and just before Edge get's on the bus I get to him. Me "Edge if you really want to drive this ATV back to the Sports and Rec center you can". I told a tiny white lie "I could very well get in trouble for this but for your signature on this ball cap I'm willing to risk it""When you're done please park it outside the locker rooms and I'll pick it up". Edge "Thanks dawg I'll do that and don't worry. Like I told you I ride these all the time".

At this point he hops on and is driving crazy in between other players and heads down the trail. I'm thinking holy smokes what have I done and more worried he's going to run over someone rather than hurting himself. So here I am walking down the trail and Edge and the ATV are out of sight. It's probably a good 5 minute or more walk from the fields to the SRC and all the while I'm thinking I really messed up.

I finally get there and the ATV is parked outside and looks intact so thankful for that. Buttttt I don't see the cap and think are you kidding me. Not only no autograph from Edge but there went Peyton and Marvins too. Well on the front handle bars we had a first aid bag for emergencies attached and I thought well maybe just maybe I'll get lucky.

Well zippity doo dah there it was and a nice pristine autograph of Edgerin James, Marvin Harrison, and Peyton Manning. Thank you baby Jesus. So the autographed hat did get auctioned off during a high school football game and the high school basketball team got $260 dollars to help an athlete out. Worked out and so glad I was able to help out in a small way. Of course It didn't get me out of working the concessions every Friday during football season. Basketball parents worked concessions so football moms and dads didn't have to. I didn't learn a whole lot but I sure learned how to make popcorn like you taste in a movie theater.

[RWB]

Marvin Harrison was a different individual for sure. I know he was an introvert but his was either extreme or a mixture of being plain rude too. Personally I'm an introvert but not unfriendly.

I was asked by the director of Task Force 7 (emergency preparedness group in Indiana) to put on a presentation on how security was set up for Colts camp involving police, fire, and emergency responders. Trying my best not to bore the heck out of everybody in preparing for this I took several photos of camp to include in my slide show. I had the opportunity to get some photos of John Madden who had arrived on campus with his Madden bus. Side Note... John Madden was one of the nicest people you could ever meet. Really didn't talk football and was more interested in the college and what it was known for.

So Madden is at the practice fields talking with Tony Dungy and I take a few distant photos of the guys talking. I at no time got near them or interfered with their conversation. I simply was getting some final shots for my presentation. Out of the corner of my eye I can see Marvin Harrison looking at me with a disgusting look and shaking his head like he is really pissed. I have no clue why but I do know it is directed at me as nothing else was happening where he was standing and he WAS looking right at me. He even let out a little grunt noise. What do you? I simply ignored him.

Between the SRC/Locker room/Weight room building ,the dining hall and residence halls was a natural stream that had pedestrian bridges to cross. Various officers were assigned to be stationed at this bridge since it was in constant use by the players and vulnerable to fans seeking autographs. Well it just so happened I was on the bridge a few days after the Madden/Harrison event and luck would have it here comes Marvin across.

Now I must admit this was not very professional of me but I was still kind of ticked at the way he had treated me. So as he comes across I give a look like not exactly mean but a I don't care for you. We do nod at each other but that was it. Now understand a nod was pretty much all you got out of Marvin at least for me anyway. An hour or so passes and I'm still on the bridge. Here comes Marvin back after probably seeing the trainers. He suddenly starts up a real conversation. A couple of months before training camp Terre Haute experienced a 100 year rain event where many areas were under water. It just so happened where this tiny bridge was located the water reached the very bottom of the structure and left so much tree debris stuck in the girders.

Marvin "That's a lot of tree limbs there". Me "Yes it is". Marvin "how come". Me "We had a major rain event in June". Marvin "oh". And that was it that was our big conversation as he walked off.

I figured later he really didn't care about tree limbs hanging off a bridge. #1 he probably thought he didn't need any enemies and secondly knew my job was to protect the players and would see me watching over Peyton everyday at practice. I did learn later from Craig Kelly (VP relations guy for the Colts) that Marvin had a thing about pictures and hated having his own taken. I have no clue why and maybe it's some religious thing. Bottom line everyone is allowed to feel the way they want but in doing so you don't have to toss your believes whatever they are on someone else.

Couple of other quirks for the man. He wasn't a big fan of signing autographs. Now not saying he wouldn't but he preferred not to. To make up for he would rather hand out wrapped tasty cakes or maybe it was Little Debbie cakes. I'm not sure cause I never asked. The other thing every camp when it was time to get out of Dodge he would park his vehicle next to the SRC exit door and as soon as camp was over he walked straight to his car and left. Everyone else of course was still parked in the lots near the residence halls they were staying in. But Marvin couldn't wait to get out of there.

[Bball]

These are great stories. I remember some of your Reggie Wayne stories... and those instantly gave him a tick up in my book.