American Football

Who should be up next for joining the Colts ‘Ring of Honor’?

June 30, 2024

AFC Conference Championship - New England Patriots vs Indianapolis Colts - January 21, 2007 — Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images

The Colts don’t lack great candidates right now for joining the franchise’s illustrious ‘Ring of Honor’ following Dallas Clark’s upcoming induction in 2024.

The Indianapolis Colts recently announced that former All-Pro tight end Dallas Clark will be inducted into the franchise’s illustrious ‘Ring of Honor’ during Week 7th (October 20th) against the visiting Miami Dolphins.

It raises the question of who should be next for joining the Colts’ Hall of Fame:

Super Bowl XLI - Indianapolis Colts vs Chicago Bears

Bob Sanders, Safety

Colts Origins: 2004 Indy 2nd round pick

Indianapolis playing career: 2004-10

Colts Accolades: Super Bowl XLI Champion, NFL DPOY, 2x First-Team All-Pro, 2x Pro Bowler

Indianapolis stats: 295 tackles (222 solo), 10 tackles for loss, 3.5 sacks, 6 interceptions, 16 passes defensed, and 2 forced fumbles during 48 career games (46 starts).

Overview: While Sanders’ flame was short-lived, boy, was it ever bright for the undersized, yet overly muscular playmaking, ball hawking, heat-seeking missile at starting safety.

Call him ‘The Hitman’ or ‘The Eraser,’ but the incredibly hard-hitting safety (with bulging biceps) is the only NFL Defensive Player of the Year in Indy franchise history. He was also the catalyst for a Super Bowl winning defense during their 2006 title campaign, as his much anticipated return reinvigorated the Colts’ once much maligned run defense that season—with Sanders shoring up the backend of the secondary and being a force in the box.

Sanders is really the epitome of what an ideal Colts’ ‘Ring of Honor’ member may look like. Due to injuries, his career was cut entirely too short, and he unfortunately looks like he won’t have the career longevity to get into Canton. That being said, his importance to the Colts franchise and hoisting Indy’s only Lombardi Trophy was astronomical.

Adam Vinatieri, Kicker

Colts Origins: Signed as 2006 free agent

Indianapolis playing career: 2006-19

Colts Accolades: Super Bowl Champion, First-Team All-Pro, Pro Bowler

Indianapolis stats: 336 of 394 field goal attempts (85.3%); 507 of 524 PAT attempts (96.8%) during 205 career games

Overview: Arguably the greatest kicker in NFL history, Vinatieri was consistently one of the league’s best kickers for the Colts after leaving the New England Patriots in free agency. He was instrumental in the franchise’s Super Bowl run in 2006, especially after going 5 for 5 on field goal attempts during tough road conditions against the Baltimore Ravens in the playoffs Divisional Round—which were Indy’s only points, en route to victory.

Kicking until he was 47 years old for Indianapolis, it seemed like the legendary Vinatieri may never hang up the cleats—as he was aging like a fine wine. However, father time and injuries eventually caught up with even the seemingly ageless wonder too, as he finally retired after 24 NFL seasons following 2019. He was one of the Colts veteran leaders who helped bridge the gap between the Peyton Manning and Andrew Luck eras of the franchise’s prominent history. Out of all the players listed here, the future Hall of Fame kicker is the closest thing to being a lock for the Colts Ring of Honor—along with arguably the player listed below him.

T.Y. Hilton, Wide Receiver

Colts Origins: 2012 Indy 3rd round pick

Indianapolis playing career: 2012-21

Colts Accolades: 4x Pro Bowler

Indianapolis stats: 631 receptions for 9,691 receiving yards (15.4 ypr. avg.) and 53 touchdown receptions during 143 career games (121 starts).

Overview: While diminutive at 5’10,” 183 pounds, Hilton had tremendous speed and was one of the most dangerous deep threats in the NFL during his prime, forming a prolific quarterback-to-wide receiver combination with former Colts franchise quarterback Andrew Luck. Hilton had sure hands, speed, elusiveness, explosiveness, and acceleration which made him a perennial Pro Bowler for a stretch (2014-17), and one of the league’s bona fide #1 wideouts. ‘The Ghost’ belongs right up there on any top list along with Marvin Harrison and Reggie Wayne as one of the greatest wideouts in Indianapolis franchise history. He should be a lock for the Colts’ Ring of Honor once he officially retires from football for good.

Andrew Luck, Quarterback

Colts Origins: 2012 Indy #1 Overall Pick

Indianapolis playing career: 2012-18

Colts Accolades: 4x Pro Bowler, NFL Comeback Player of the Year

Indianapolis stats: Completed 2,000 for 3,290 pass attempts (60.8%) for 23,621 total passing yards, 171 passing touchdowns, and 83 interceptions during 86 starts.

Overview: Being a generational quarterback prospect coming out of Stanford and the 2012 #1 overall pick, Luck met the hype and more during his first six NFL seasons with Indianapolis. He was the complete package at the NFL quarterback position, featuring a high football IQ, arm strength, accuracy, pocket presence, mobility, athleticism, and leadership. No one will forget his heroics during the Colts’ improbable 28 point comeback home win against the Kansas City Chiefs during the 2013 AFC Wildcard Game, and later carrying Indianapolis to the 2014 AFC Title Game.

Unfortunately, a number of lingering injuries and re-occurring physical rehabilitation forced Luck into abrupt and shocking retirement just ahead of the 2019 regular season before the ripe age of just 30-years-old. While one could make the argument that Luck could’ve handled the timing of his retirement decision better, no one can diminish his production, impact, and importance to the franchise (and Indianapolis community)—even if we’ll always be left wondering what ultimately could’ve been.

Pat McAfee, Punter (KOS)

Colts Origins: 2009 Indy 7th round pick

Indianapolis playing career: 2009-16

Colts Accolades: First-Team All-Pro, 2x Pro Bowler

Indianapolis stats: 575 punts (46.4 yards per punt avg.; 41.4 NET) during 127 career games.

Overview: Initially known for ‘being found intoxicated in a Broad Ripple canal,” McAfee overcame an early career gaffe and definitely matured, later becoming one of the best punters of his era. McAfee was not just a punter, as in ‘For the Brand fashion,’ he also delivered some big hits in coverage and was a maestro of delivering magical onside kicks.

After 8 NFL seasons with lingering knee issues from the wear-and-tear of kicking thousands of footballs over the years, and wanting something more personally fulfilling for himself, McAfee retired from the NFL with an eye towards comedy and sports entertainment. The rest is history, as ‘The Pat McAfee Show’ has gone mainstream on ESPN, and McAfee, as the ring leader, has also made appearances hosting WWE and College GameDay among other prominent sports events as a fun and engaging professional sports personality.

Always a Colts fan favorite, but also having become such a great ambassador for the Colts franchise and the City of Indianapolis, particularly in his post-playing days, McAfee is deserving but for slightly different reasons than some of the other playing greats listed.

Darius ‘Shaquille’ Leonard, Linebacker

Colts Origins: 2018 Indy 2nd round pick

Indianapolis playing career: 2018-22

Colts Accolades: NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year, 3x First-Team All-Pro, 2nd-Team All-Pro, and 3x Pro Bowler

Indianapolis stats: 549 tackles (351 solo), 32 tackles for loss, 15.0 sacks, 12 interceptions (*1 returned for a touchdown), 31 passes defensed, 17 forced fumbles, and 7 fumble recoveries during 70 games (68 starts).

Overview: The Colts uncovered a hidden gem out of South Carolina State, as Leonard became ‘The Maniac’ in Indianapolis, becoming an NFL All-Pro during his first four seasons—and instantly winning NFL Rookie of the Year honors. Leonard could flow sideline-to-sideline with a knack for finding the football and making plays. In my opinion, he may have been the closest thing we’ve seen to Hall of Fame Tampa Bay Buccaneers ‘Cover 2’ linebacker Derrick Brooks from the WILL linebacker spot.

Known for his patented forced fumble punch, Leonard was adept at creating turnovers and was equally sticky in coverage. Unfortunately, having undergone multiple surgeries to correct a significant back injury which led to lower leg nerve issues, Leonard hasn’t yet fully returned to his prior All-Pro form—and right now, it’s starting to look increasingly likely that he may not, now two years removed from the 2022 offseason surgery and no longer resembling the Maniac out there.

As he was unhappy with his diminished playing time, the Colts surprisingly released Leonard near midway through the 2023 season. Leonard latched on for a late season potential playoff run with the Philadelphia Eagles last year, but he hasn’t garnered much interest as a free agent this offseason. While he’s reportedly ‘waiting on the right opportunity,’ the sun may be setting on his once Canton-bound playing career.

However, just like in Sanders’ case, even though Leonard didn’t achieve the same level of ultimate team success as ‘The Hitman’ accomplished, he was absolutely dominant during his peak—even if it was unfortunately too short-lived because of back injuries. When he officially files that league retirement paperwork . . . and by all means give it a few years, but surely there’s eventually a spot for the greatest linebacker in Indianapolis franchise history.

Colts Ring of Honor ‘Honorable Mention’:

Jeff Herrod, LB (1988-96, 98); Ryan Diem, RT (2001-11); Gary Brackett, LB (2003-11); Antoine Bethea, FS (2006-13); Vontae Davis, CB (2012-17), Anthony Castonzo, LT (2011-20); Jack Doyle, TE (2013-21); OC Tom Moore (1998-2009), and HC Chuck Pagano (2012-17).