Wayne puts on his annual celebrity basketball game

In two weeks, Reggie Wayne will focus on his day job as the Indianapolis Colts' three-time Pro Bowl wide receiver.

Saturday night at Conseco Fieldhouse, he was out of his element but having a ball. With a pulsating hip-hop backbeat setting the tone, he helped pull off the annual Amp Harris and Reggie Wayne "Saving Our Youth'' celebrity basketball game as part of Indiana Black Expo.

At halftime, Wayne's team -- it included Colts teammates Bob Sanders, Marlin Jackson, Robert Mathis and Pierre Garcon -- was trailing by double digits. Yet he sat on the scorer's bench, smiling as he looked around at young fans who had crowded the court seeking autographs and photo ops.

"It's all about giving back to the community, seeing everybody having a good time,'' Wayne said. "The whole thing with the Expo gig is to have fun. Whatever problems you have, you have an opportunity to come out here and enjoy the festivities.

"You get to leave your problems at home.''

On his own level, Wayne could relate. His celebrity event annually represents his final fling before the start of training camp. The Colts report Aug. 2 to Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology in Terre Haute and practice for the first time the next morning.

"This is always my last banana before camp,'' said Wayne, the Colts' top receiver following the release of Marvin Harrison in February. "I get to forget all about my workouts, forget all about the fact training camp's coming, forget about football.

"I get to come out and enjoy myself.''

Wayne plans to spend his remaining offseason time in Miami in preparation for his ninth training camp with the Colts.

"I've got to get that sunshine as long as I possibly can,'' he said. "I know in due time I'm going to be up here in the good ol' white stuff.''

The basketball game, Wayne added, "is the last thing I do. After this, I'll sit back and completely do nothing -- no traveling, nothing. You sit back and wait for Aug. 2.''



(indystar.com)