Monday Morning Cheerleader – Crystal from the Indianapolis Colts
(Missed this when it was first posted last week)
By Steve Mazzucchi
Esquire
Another week, another victory for the now 12-0 Colts. But this one was special, as it came against a division rival riding its own five-game win streak, and helped the Indy franchise tie both the Patriots record of 21 consecutive regular-season wins and the 49ers mark of 113 wins in a decade. And unlike in their last few contests, the Colts didn’t need any late rally or controversial 4th-and-2 call to remain unblemished.
Instead, Peyton Manning and Co. shot out to a 24-10 halftime lead, then milked the clock — while stopping Tennessee on three different fourth-down go-for-its — to salt away a 27-17 win. Which hardly surprised Colts cheerleader Crystal, an Indiana native who grew up watching games with her grandma. “She’s the diehard woman football fan in the family,” explains Crystal. “She loves talking football with the guys.” Despite our best efforts, this communications company account manager, aerobics instructor, and fan of New Age guru Don Miguel Ruiz refused to promise a wire-to-wire undefeated season. She promised Super Sunday instead.
ESQUIRE: Tennessee had been red-hot, while the Colts survived some November nail-biters. Were you concerned the Titans might end the streak?
CRYSTAL: Concerned, no. They have weapons just like we do — Chris Johnson, Vince Young, Nick Harper, whom they got from us — but I’m always confident. We have Peyton Manning, a great offensive line, and a great defense. Lately it seems our motto is, “It’s not how you start, it’s how you finish.” Today we took control early, but just like with our offense, you blink and Chris Johnson has broken five tackles and is in the end zone. So you don’t really relax until there are ten seconds left.
ESQ: With Jim Caldwell taking over as coach, and seven-time Pro Bowl receiver Marvin Harrison gone, did you have any doubts how the season might go?
C: I didn’t. Coach Caldwell worked with Coach Dungy for years. He learned everything Dungy was doing, then he implemented the same techniques, plus his own style. I might have felt differently if they had brought in someone who hadn’t been in the organization. As far as Marvin Harrison, I’d never second-guess the front office. And our young receivers, Austin Collie and Pierre Garcon, are doing great.
ESQ: Are you surprised it’s gone this well?
C: No. For the last several seasons, we’ve had twelve to fifteen wins, we’ve won the Super Bowl. Being undefeated this far along, it’s a bit scary when someone’s always looking to knock that block off. Just us and the Saints now — eek! The rookie cheerleaders are on cloud nine. They’re like, “It’s so exciting to cheer for a team that wins!” We veterans are more like, “Been there, done that. It’s great, but we gotta get to the Super Bowl.”
ESQ: Do you think it might help to lose at some point, to take the pressure off?
C: No one’s saying, “Let’s lose one to get the edge off,” but if that’s what happens… going undefeated is not necessarily our goal. Our goals are the AFC South championship, a bye, home-field advantage, and then the Super Bowl. It’s great to be undefeated, but if you’re out in the first round of the playoffs, not so much.
ESQ: Is Manning as funny as he seems in those MasterCard and Sony commercials?
C: I’ve only talked to Peyton a few times, but every time I have he’s been pretty funny. His Saturday Night Live skits were hilarious. It shows you his human side, not just the guy changing plays at the line of scrimmage and crushing you. A double guest appearance with Justin Timberlake on SNL? That would be good.
ESQ: Can you imagine a tougher job than taking over at QB when he retires?
C: No! Those are definitely large shoes to fill. But every football club goes through that every so many years. Anytime you are following up a future Hall-of-Famer, that’s a lot to live up to. I’m glad it’s not me. I have no laser-rocket arm.
ESQ: We hear The Four Agreements by Don Miguel Ruiz is your favorite book.
C: It’s very simple. It’s four agreements you make with yourself: be impeccable with your word, don’t make assumptions, don’t take anything personally, and always do your best. If you think about that, you realize, “Hey, I can get through life with these!” It brings everything back to the center.
ESQ: The expectation is the Colts will rest players the last one or two games. But if they’re on the verge of 16-0, will we really see Jim Sorgi at QB against the Bills?
C: I know Peyton is very big on starting. I think he has started every game of his career, even if Sorgi comes in later. From previous history, that’s what we’ll do. But we have a new coach, so you never know.
ESQ: What’s the story with those leather chaps the Colts cheerleaders wear?
C: We have numerous uniforms — skirts, ones for special halftime shows, a velour Christmas one, probably seven total — but the chaps are a staple. They’re a fan favorite!
ESQ: So are you and your chaps thinking Super Bowl?
C: I completely believe we’ll make it to the big game again this year. Our offense is definitely gelling. On defense we have Dwight Freeney, Robert Mathis, Clint Session, Kelvin Hayden — as long as they don’t get hurt… well, even if they do, nah, we’re going! It’s in Miami again, like the last time we went. I definitely want to be there.
