:: proCanes

Reggie Wayne ESPN the Magazine Feature Article

May/21/07 11:36 AM | Permalink

Click on the pictures to enlarge the article and read. Enjoy!

|

Wayne shakes off rust, works toward another big year

May/20/07 10:35 AM | Permalink

They're invisible to the naked eye, but Reggie Wayne insists flecks of iron oxide fall off his body as he runs routes and snares passes from Peyton Manning.

That would be rust, which has accumulated over the months since the Indianapolis Colts' Super Bowl victory over the Chicago Bears.

"You come in kind of rusty, so you want to bang some of the rust off,'' Wayne said during a break between Saturday's two minicamp workouts. "It's just polishing up, starting to get that engine running.''

Wayne is coming off the best season of his career: 86 receptions, 1,310 yards, nine touchdowns. It earned him his first Pro Bowl selection. The task at hand is getting better.

"Got to,'' Wayne said. "Always got to get better.''

|

Wayne cancels appearance

Apr/12/07 08:19 AM | Permalink

A death in the family prompted Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Reggie Wayne to cancel his two-day stint as host of the "Best Damn Sports Show Period," a Fox Sports spokesman said.

Wayne was supposed to host the sports entertainment show Tuesday and Wednesday nights but changed his plans at the last minute, the spokesman said.

It was not known who died in Wayne's family. A Colts spokesman said the team was unaware of the situation.

The 2007 Pro Bowl star was scheduled to appear Tuesday with teammates Dwight Freeney and Bob Sanders. The show spokesman said it was not known if Wayne would reschedule to host at another time.

(indystar.com)

|

Wayne helps AFC gain win - Colts WR totals 6 catches, including 72-yard TD

Feb/11/07 12:39 PM | Permalink

A handful of Indianapolis Colts completed an NFL double Saturday at Aloha Stadium in Honolulu.

Six days after leading the Colts to a victory over the Chicago Bears in Super Bowl XLI, quarterback Peyton Manning, wide receiver Reggie Wayne and three of their teammates were part of the AFC's 31-28 triumph over the NFC in the 37th Pro Bowl. The AFC won for the fifth time in seven years and took a 19-18 lead in the series when San Diego place-kicker Nate Kaeding drilled a 21-yard field goal as time expired.

Manning, the Most Valuable Player in the Super Bowl and appearing in his seventh Pro Bowl, completed 5-of-12 passes for 67 yards while directing the first two series. Wayne, in his first Pro Bowl, led the AFC with six receptions and 137 yards, including a 72-yard touchdown from Cincinnati quarterback Carson Palmer. Palmer was named the game's Most Outstanding Player after completing 8-of-17 passes for 190 yards and touchdowns to Wayne and Bengals teammate Chad Johnson (42 yards).

|

Wayne gives N.O. reason to cheer

Feb/05/07 09:10 AM | Permalink

MIAMI GARDENS, FLA. -- The most important play in Super Bowl XLI on Sunday night, the biggest moment of Reggie Wayne's life, was almost too easy to believe.

With the Indianapolis Colts trailing 7-0 and facing a third-and-10 from their 47-yard line against the Chicago Bears, Wayne broke into the clear deep downfield with no defenders in sight, and quarterback Peyton Manning connected for a 53-yard touchdown.

The Bears' coverage broke down -- cornerback Charles Tillman allowed Wayne to run past him, and no safeties came over to pick him up. The play swung the early momentum away from Chicago, and the Colts eventually won 29-17.

|

Hester has fan in Colts WR Wayne

Feb/04/07 11:12 AM | Permalink

MIAMI – For the time being anyway, Colts wide receiver Reggie Wayne is a big fan of Bears rookie return specialist Devin Hester. Hester set an NFL record this season with six returns (three punts, one missed field goal and two kickoffs) going for touchdowns.

Wayne and Hester played football at the University of Miami, which plays a large part in his level of admiration.

“He’s from the ‘U,’ so I don’t expect anything else. He was doing that in college. All you have to do is give a guy confidence to return one in the NFL and once you do it one time, you’re always going to do it,” the Colts receiver said. “Whenever you come from the University of Miami, I don’t expect you to do anything but make plays.”

|

A brother gone still the brother Wayne needs

Feb/02/07 08:21 AM | Permalink

INDIANAPOLIS — Reggie Wayne stares blankly into his locker.

He is visiting with his brother again. It happens a lot these days, since that cold September night when he first heard he had lost Rashad in a traffic accident.

The Indianapolis receiver stares at the photo held in place by a Colts horseshoe, the one of Rashad looking confident in dark glasses, posing next to his dilapidated teal Ford Mustang. Sometimes, it makes Wayne laugh to remember his brother's fascination with those jalopies.

Not today, though. Today he is lost in prayer as he stares at the picture, the one he decided would always be with him, since the day he and his oldest brother cleaned out Rashad's apartment in New Orleans.

"Every morning, every time before I go to bed, at halftime, I talk to him," Wayne says later.

|

Indy's Wayne still brother's keeper

Feb/02/07 08:18 AM | Permalink

MIAMI - All week long, Reggie Wayne has met the Super Bowl media with open arms while teammates such as Marvin Harrison have squirmed under the spotlight.

Wayne, a former University of Miami standout, will answer just about any question that comes his way.

However, there is one topic he wishes would be off-limits - the death of his brother Rashad.

The Colts wide receiver has tried his best to deflect questions about his older brother, who died at 32 when the delivery truck he was driving smashed into a highway guardrail in Louisiana last Sept. 24.

|

Reggie Wayne Update

Jan/31/07 08:02 PM | Permalink

Overheard at Colts Media Day:

This week the Bears are practicing at UM and the Colts are using the Dolphins’ facility in Davie.

Colts wideout Reggie Wayne, a former UM star, is a little jealous.

“Yeah, that hurt me a little bit,” he said Tuesday. “I wish I could have gone back and got my old locker. That’d probably give me a little extra enthusiasm in practice.”

(palmbeachpost.com)

|

Colts' Wayne still feels loss of brother

Jan/30/07 08:16 AM | Permalink

INDIANAPOLIS — In the aftermath of his older brother's death Sept. 24, Indianapolis Colts receiver Reggie Wayne knew there was one person close to him who truly would understand his emotional turmoil.

Indianapolis coach Tony Dungy was just nine months removed from his son James' suicide.

"Obviously, he experienced a lot that I experienced," said Wayne last week as the Colts prepared for the Super Bowl.

"You are at a situation in your life when you are at the lowest point and just to hear from somebody that has actually been through it, it helps you out a lot," Wayne said. "Coach Dungy is a strong man, a strong soul, so he knows exactly what's going on. Just him giving me some advice was huge for me."

|

Colts' Wayne draws inspiration from his deceased brother

Jan/29/07 02:11 PM | Permalink

INDIANAPOLIS ?The reaction began modestly enough.

Last week's Heat-Pacers basketball game was heading into the fourth quarter at Conseco Fieldhouse when the in-house cameras caught Reggie Wayne sitting courtside.

A few cheers went up, and then, as the public-address announcer informed the crowd it was indeed in the presence of the Colts' Pro Bowl receiver, the volume started to build.

Wayne gave a small wave. More cheers and chants of "Re-ggie," the way they used to salute former Pacers great Reggie Miller.

The football star broke out laughing, embarrassed by the attention. Louder cheers. Another wave.

|

FBN Super Bowl Wayne

Jan/29/07 09:19 AM | Permalink

INDIANAPOLIS (AP) -First stop for Reggie Wayne is the Super Bowl. Next week it's the Pro Bowl with four of his Indianapolis Colts teammates.

If only his older brother, Rashad, could share these moments with him.

``A lot of my success today has come through him. I think about him all the time,'' Wayne said.

Last Sept. 24, Rashad Wayne's delivery truck hit a guardrail near New Orleans, where he lived. The 32-year-old was pronounced dead at the scene. 

|

Colts' Wayne his brother's keeper

Jan/28/07 11:29 AM | Permalink

At the RCA Dome, under a din of noise, hidden beneath the swirl and electricity of the AFC Championship Game, Wayne took a quiet moment to himself.

He was talking to his brother, Rashad.

They were close as kids, Reggie tagging along with Rashad, who was everything Reggie wanted to be.

That's the way it is with older brothers. You revere them and envy them. You copy them, and hope and wait for words of approval that mean so much more from them. You dream of being like them but most of all, you love them.

Rashad, 32, was killed in a traffic accident Sept. 24.

|

Still with him - Wayne carries reminders of deceased brother

Jan/26/07 08:18 AM | Permalink

There are two pictures on the wall of Reggie Wayne's locker at the Indianapolis Colts' practice facility.

There's one inside a horseshoe-shaped frame. It's a photo of Rashad, his 32-year-old brother, who died in September when a delivery truck he was driving crashed into a highway guardrail in Kenner, La.

There's another picture. Rashad's prized Mustang. One of a number of his brother's "hoopties" -- that is, tricked-out rides.

"He had so many (pictures), me and my brother were cleaning out his apartment, I just reached in there and the first one I grabbed, that was going to be the one," Wayne said Thursday as the Colts prepared for Super Bowl XLI against the Chicago Bears in Miami. "I have a whole other shrine at my house. So many pictures of him, IDs, stuff like that.''

|

Rolle sees Wayne stepping up game

Jan/15/07 02:47 PM | Permalink

INDIANAPOLIS // As they walked off the field at M&T Bank Stadium in last year's season opener, Ravens cornerback Samari Rolle and Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Reggie Wayne greeted each other with the respect that carried over from their college days at rival schools.

Rolle, who played at Florida State, had seen Wayne, who played at Miami, come into his own while still in the shadow of Colts star Marvin Harrison.

"The crazy part is he has gotten much better. Last year when we played them, I told him that after the game," Rolle said earlier this week. "He's turned into a great all-around receiver. Every year he just gets better and better."

|

Some of Wayne's fans may surprise you

Jan/15/07 02:32 PM | Permalink

OWINGS MILLS, Md. -- There is a lot of love for Indianapolis Colts receiver Reggie Wayne in the Baltimore Ravens' locker room.

Safety Ed Reed, like Wayne, is from Louisiana and played at the University of Miami. Cornerback Samari Rolle, who is from Miami Beach and played at Florida State, persuaded his secondary to cast Pro Bowl votes for Wayne the past two years. Wayne, in his sixth NFL season, was selected to the all-star event for the first time last month.

Reed, who considers Wayne "a brother way past football" and works out with him in the offseason, took a shot at Colts record-setting receiver Marvin Harrison in assessing why it has taken his buddy this long to get a Pro Bowl nod.

"Reggie, on any other team in the league, would be that guy," Reed said. "And he's really the guy over there, it's just that under the circumstances, with records and stats mattering to certain people, he don't get the looks."

By unofficial count, Peyton Manning threw 150 passes to Harrison and 137 to Wayne in the regular season. Harrison led the Colts with 95 catches for 1,366 yards and 12 scores. Wayne caught 86 passes for 1,310 yards and nine scores. Wayne's catch total has increased in each of his NFL seasons.
Rolle, who will cover Wayne on Saturday, saw him twice a season while with Indianapolis' AFC South rival Tennessee from 2001 to 2004 and again in a Ravens home loss to begin the 2005 season.

"He has been overshadowed for too long," Rolle said. "Last year, we voted for him and were surprised he didn't get in. I'm just happy for him that he's getting his credit. We voted for him again this year."

(indystar.com)

|

Wayne honored

Dec/29/06 07:06 AM | Permalink

Wide receiver Reggie Wayne has been named this year’s Colts recipient of the Ed Block Courage Award.

The award is an annual recognition for courageous play by an individual. Wayne is one of 32 NFL players cited for the award. The players of each member club nominate an individual annually and those chosen are honored at a banquet.

The 29th annual Ed Block Courage Award dinner is scheduled during March in Baltimore, Md. Proceeds from the affair benefit the Ed Block Courage Award Foundation in Baltimore.

The Ed Block Courage Award Foundation’s goal is to establish homes for abused children in each NFL city. Indianapolis established an Ed Block Courage home (Children’s Bureau) in October 2000. The home is part of a national support network for abused children. Atlanta, Baltimore, Buffalo, Chicago, Carolina, Cleveland, Dallas, Detroit, Miami, New York (Giants), Oakland, Pittsburgh, St. Louis and Seattle have already established homes.

(tribstar.com)

|

Aloha, Reggie

Dec/23/06 12:59 PM | Permalink

Reggie Wayne was driving to an autograph signing in Carmel when his cellular phone rang. The call was from the Indianapolis Colts' Westside complex.

He had made the Pro Bowl for the first time.

Before that could sink in, a buddy from Arizona text-messaged him. Former teammate Edgerrin James typed, "Did you get in?"
"Then my phone started going haywire," the receiver said.

The autograph signing took more than two hours. He met with fans and scribbled his signature with the No. 87 on helmets, jerseys, posters, cards, programs. He didn't have time to return any calls.

|

Reggie Wayne finally makes the Pro Bowl

Dec/20/06 09:15 AM | Permalink

INDIANAPOLIS - Reggie Wayne may always get overlooked playing next to Marvin Harrison. At least now, he knows he's part of the Pro Bowl club.

Wayne, Harrison and two-time MVP Peyton Manning were among five Indianapolis Colts named to the AFC squad Tuesday, four fewer than conference-leading San Diego and two fewer than the NFC's best team, Chicago. The Bears and Chargers are both 12-2.

The Colts thought Wayne had Pro Bowl-worthy stats each of the last two years, though he was bypassed in the voting by coaches, players and fans.

This time, they were pleasantly surprised.

"I really didn't think he would make it, not that he didn't deserve it," Colts coach Tony Dungy said. "But it's a tough perception to overcome, that your No. 2 receiver is better than 28 other receivers in the league."

|

REG-GIE, REG-GIE, REG-GIE

Nov/27/06 05:45 PM | Permalink

If Reggie Wayne doesn’t make the Pro Bowl this season, it won’t be because of a lack of big plays.
And it won’t be because he didn’t perform in high-profile games.

Wayne, the Colts’ sixth-year wide receiver, has been a 1,000-yard receiver each of the last two seasons and in 2004, he caught 12 touchdown passes. But each year, he largely has been overlooked in post-season awards, and despite being one of the league’s top receivers, he has not made the Pro Bowl.

But this season, Wayne has consistently been among the AFC’s leaders in yardage and receptions, and on Sunday night – in the Colts’ nationally-televised victory over the Eagles – he made what may have been the most spectacular catch of his career.

Midway through the first quarter, Colts quarterback Peyton Manning – who has said each of the past two seasons he believed Wayne should make the Pro Bowl – threw deep to Wayne down the left sideline.

Wayne caught the ball with his left hand and stayed in bounds, dragging his foot on a play that was unsuccessfully challenged by Eagles Head Coach Andy Reid.

In the second half, Wayne’s 11-yard touchdown pass from Manning gave the Colts a 31-7 lead.

(colts.com)

|

Reggie Wayne no longer overlooked - Colts have another top receiver

Nov/11/06 02:59 PM | Permalink

Reggie Wayne might be a Pro Bowl receiver in any other offense. At Indianapolis, however, he has long been the overlooked man.

With a record-setting quarterback and another record-setting receiver drawing the primary focus of defenses, Wayne has crafted his skills and his temperament to fit the Colts needs. Rather than whine or lobby, he's learned how to get open, produce big numbers and score.

If others notice Marvin Harrison before they notice him, it doesn't bother Wayne.

"I'm the silent assassin," he said. "Really, I don't need all that because I learned from one of the best in Marvin."

|

Wayne taking game to next level

Nov/08/06 05:15 PM | Permalink

INDIANAPOLIS (AP) - Reggie Wayne might be a Pro Bowl receiver in any other offence. At Indianapolis, however, he has long been the overlooked man.

With a record-setting quarterback and another record-setting receiver drawing the primary focus of defences, Wayne has crafted his skills and his temperament to fit the Colts needs. Rather than whine or lobby, he's learned how to get open, produce big numbers and score.

If others notice Marvin Harrison before they notice him, it doesn't bother Wayne.

"I'm the silent assassin," he said. "Really, I don't need all that because I learned from one of the best myself in Marvin."

|

Wayne making Colts contract decision look brilliant

Nov/02/06 11:28 PM | Permalink

It defied conventional thinking, but then again, that goes away when it comes to the Indianapolis Colts offense. And that might actually be one of the secrets of its success.

When Colts general manager Bill Polian made receiver Reggie Wayne the top priority in free-agency last spring, signing him to a six-year $39.5 million contract, it meant that star runner Edgerrin James would leave via free-agency. That wasn't conventional thinking, and it led to plenty of questions and loads of second-guessing.

How can a receiver be more important than a guy who had rushed for 1,500 yards in two successive seasons?

|

Wayne’s wisdom - Team egos are held in check, but performance Sunday was ‘special’

Oct/30/06 06:01 PM | Permalink

DENVER – Reggie Wayne’s description of the latest Indianapolis Colts win seems, on face value, hard to buy.

“It was another day in the office,” Wayne said. “Nothing special.”

Wayne, wearing a stylish cream-colored suit with three touchdown catches and a two-point conversion in his back pocket, kept a straight face. He wasn’t joking. And here’s the kicker, if we’re honest about it: He’s partially right.

The Colts’ 34-31 win over the Denver Broncos on Sunday at Invesco Field was, in many ways, just another day at the office.

|

Wayne's world

Oct/30/06 08:20 AM | Permalink

Newest nickname for the Broncos' defense: the Crash-and-Burned Unit.

The Broncos, who had allowed two touchdowns in their first six games, allowed three Sunday afternoon at Invesco Field at Mile High. Hey, stuff happens when you play the Indianapolis Colts.

The Colts walked off the field with a 34-31 victory that stamped them as the team to beat in the American Conference. Indianapolis is the first team since the 1929-31 Green Bay Packers to open back-to-back seasons with seven consecutive wins.

|

W, as in Wayne - Receiver catches 3 2nd-half touchdowns

Oct/30/06 08:19 AM | Permalink

DENVER -- A Denver defense that had yielded 44 points to its first six opponents gave up 34 Sunday. A Denver defense that hadn't given up a touchdown in 14 quarters at Invesco Field at Mile High gave up three during the second half Sunday.

Reggie Wayne scored all of them. He was in his element.

"It's like a playoff atmosphere," Wayne bubbled after the Indianapolis Colts' 34-31 victory over the Denver Broncos. "You know it's going to be a hostile crowd. You've gotta love playing here, the 75,000 go to cheering and the stadium goes to shaking and it gives you goose bumps.

"Those are the times you want to step up and make plays. My number was called today."

|

Who's hot: Reggie Wayne

Oct/27/06 07:12 AM | Permalink

College: Miami.

Experience: Sixth year with Colts; first-round draft pick in 2001, 30th overall selection.

Money man: Signed six-year, $39 million contract in March that included a $12.5 million signing bonus.

The skinny: He's "the other" Colts receiver, Marvin Harrison's sidekick. . . . In '05, became first player other than Harrison to lead the team in receptions (83, one more than Harrison) since '98 (Marshall Faulk). . . . Has increased his receptions total every season -- 27 as a rookie, followed by 49, 68, 77 and 83. . . . Second to Harrison after six games this season with 28 receptions for 504 yards and two TDs. . . . Has had at least three receptions in all six games, has eclipsed the 100-yard mark twice and is averaging a career-best 18.0 yards per catch. . . . Might have the best hands on the team and arguably is the team's best after-the-catch receiver.

Reggie on Reggie: "I'm a silent assassin. That's what I do. I'm just out there playing my game. Nothing extra. Nothing special. Just whenever the ball's thrown to me, catch it and try to get as many yards as I possibly can. I just want to be consistent with it. That's my whole thing."

(indystar.com)
bilde

|

Colts share Wayne's grief - Ex-teammates also on hand at funeral of receiver's broth

Oct/04/06 08:03 AM | Permalink

On a warm, sunny Tuesday morning, a contingent of teammates past and present gathered to support Indianapolis Colts receiver Reggie Wayne and his family in the mourning of his older brother, Rashad Anthony Wayne.

Wayne's second family came to the small, beige brick Morning Star Baptist Church in Marrero, just off the West Bank Expressway, in a show of unity for one of their own.

The Colts brought a small group of people, including quarterback Peyton Manning, Coach Tony Dungy and President Bill Polian. Wayne's former teammates -- Arizona Cardinals running back Edgerrin James and Baltimore Ravens safety Ed Reed of Destrehan, who played with him at the University of Miami -- also showed, as did a group of his former high school teammates from nearby John Ehret.

|

Colts group going to Wayne brother funeral

Oct/02/06 11:00 PM | Permalink

INDIANAPOLIS -- Coach Tony Dungy said the Indianapolis Colts plan to send a small group to Tuesday's funeral of wide receiver Reggie Wayne's brother.

Among those expected to attend are quarterback Peyton Manning, Wayne's fellow receivers, Dungy and a few others.

Dungy said other players might make their own arrangements to attend the funeral in Louisiana.

|

Colts' Wayne starting, other key players out vs. Jets

Sep/30/06 11:36 PM | Permalink

INDIANAPOLIS — Wide receiver Reggie Wayne will be in the starting lineup when the Indianapolis Colts play the New York Jets today at the Meadowlands, but several other key players will be sitting out.

Wayne returned to practice Thursday after missing workouts Monday and Wednesday in order to tend to family matters in Louisiana concerning the death of his older brother Rashad. Reggie Wayne took part in the Colts' final three workouts of the week, including Saturday's walkthough session.
(tribstar.com)

|

Colts get Wayne back, should play Sunday

Sep/28/06 08:54 PM | Permalink

NDIANAPOLIS - Receiver Reggie Wayne rejoined the Indianapolis Colts for practice Thursday and is expected to play Sunday against the New York Jets. Wayne flew to Louisiana on Sunday night after learning his 32-year-old brother, Rashad, was killed in a traffic accident.

Although Reggie Wayne did not speak with reporters on Thursday, coach Tony Dungy said he anticipated the 27-year-old receiver would play this week as the Colts (3-0) try to remain unbeaten.

"That's what we're planning, so I would think so," Dungy said after practice. "But it is good to see him back."

|

Wayne to practice Thursday, could play vs. Jets

Sep/27/06 10:37 PM | Permalink