todayspulse.net

INDIANAPOLIS — Colts fans were disappointed after the 31-17 loss to new Orleans on Sunday night, but some retained a soft spot for the Saints.

Many Colts fans empathized with new Orleans because the city endured Hurricane Katrina and the franchise had never before been to a Super Bowl.

“They needed a morale boost, the people of that area,” Colts fan Floyd Newson said.

“I’m disappointed that the Colts lost, but it’s hard to hate the Saints,” said Dan Barnett, an Indianapolis native who lives in Chicago.

Some fans in the state of Indiana cheered for Saints quarterback Drew Brees, who played his college ball at Purdue University. Sentiment was divided near the West Lafayette, Ind., campus in the days leading up to the game.

Brees passed for 288 yards and two touchdowns and was named the game’s MVP. Tim Berry, a Purdue graduate who watched the game at Jillian’s in downtown Indianapolis, is a Colts fan who said he could live with Brees getting a ring.

“It’s good to see Drew Brees win, but it would have been better to see Peyton Manning win.”

Dion Ray, a Saints fan from Chicago, wore a black Brees jersey to the pro-Colts establishment.

“I like Drew Brees, and it was about time for the Saints,” he said.

The atmosphere throughout Indianapolis was festive well before the game. Blue jerseys and shirts were the Sunday best for members of Circle City Church in northeast Indianapolis. Bars, especially those downtown, had large crowds.

Some fans appreciated the chance to cheer for the Colts in their second Super Bowl appearance in four years, considering that coach Jim Caldwell replaced Tony Dungy and longtime star receiver Marvin Harrison no longer is with the team.

“Going into the season, no one thought the Colts could get this far with all the changes they made,” said Arlindo Chimbanda, who lives in Indianapolis.

The mood at Jillian’s varied. When the Saints recovered an onside kick to start the second half, it was nearly silent.

The crowd got excited again when Joseph Addai scored on a 4-yard run in the third quarter to put the Colts up 17-13.

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