Meeting the Fletch

by DoTheMathis98 on Apr 22, 2008 11:23 AM EDT

I always think it's fun when people post about running into various Colts players, so I thought I'd tell my brief story about meeting Bryan Fletcher.

So, I was downtown Indy last Thursday night (the 10th). It was probably 3am and I was leaving the Red Eye Cafe.

As I get up I spot a tall, bald, black guy and turn to my friend and say, "Hey, I think that's Bryan Fletcher." There was no validation from my friend as he probably only knows 5 or 6 Colts players. So, I decided to investigate for myself. I used the cunning tactic of walking right up to him and saying, "Is your name Bryan Fletcher?". Only being up that late and drinking could have given me that amazing idea.

He kinda laughed at me and said, "Ya, that's me. What's your name?". He was a gracious guy (I mean, how many people are going to recognize Bryan Fletcher) and we got to chatting about Ben Utecht leaving, when/if the Colts would draft another TE, and where he lives in Indy when I started the sense the conversation might be lagging. I started to search my brain for things I know about Brayn Fletcher, when it hit me. I'll try and describe the rest the best that I can, as it was told to me later:

Me: "Hey!....I know your nickname..." (my right index finger firmly pressed into his shoulder)

Bryan: (silent, looking curiously at me)

Me: "You're the suggestion box...that's what they call you..." (finger pressing harder into his shoulder, followed by what my friends described as a honking laugh)

Bryan (visibly annoyed): "Ya...I've heard that before...you take it easy man, good luck"

Now, while I thought it was totally appropriate to call him "the suggestion box" and point (anyone who has seen the NFL network special on the Colts Super Bowl season knows what I'm talking about here), my friends later informed me that that might have been a bad idea. And when I replied, "But Peyton Manning calls him that!". One friend reminded me that "You're not Peyton Manning." Oh, shoot...right.

I've got a new appreciation for The Fletch and the 18 receptions a season he contributes. I hope you do, too.

This is a FanPost and does not necessarily reflect the views of Stampede Blue's writers or editors. It does reflect the views of this particular fan though, which is as important as the views of Stampede Blue's writers or editors.

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That's great

My friend’s in an MBA program at IUPUI with him. At least he’s a smart enough guy to pursue his education should something happen to his NFL career.

by the21eraser on Apr 22, 2008 3:21 PM EDT reply actions

It is actually...

“Mr. Suggestion” is the nickname Manning gave him because he would always give him suggestions about plays while his mouth piece was still in his mouth thus Manning could never hear his “suggestions.”

I could just hear it, “Hey Peyton I think we should run a tight end reverse!” (barely audible)

by MasterRWayne on Apr 22, 2008 3:43 PM EDT reply actions

Unrelated to Fletcher

but in terms of Colts sightings, I waited on Kelvin Hayden here in NYC a couple of nights ago. I didn’t recognize him (the reservation wasn’t in his name and I don’t know what he looks like without a helmet). I only knew it was him when I saw the name on his credit card. When I brought it back, I shook his hand and wished him a good season. He seemed surprised to be recognized. He was a nice guy, pretty laid back.

by ctnyc on Apr 23, 2008 12:06 AM EDT reply actions

Another reason to hate living in the middle of nowhere (relatively)

The only NFL player I’ve ever met is Falcons/Chargers/Patriots/Jets/Raiders, WR/KR Tim Dwight

You guys get to meet real Colts players, the best I get is a guy my size who’s claim to fame is a KR for TD in the superbowl and being involved in the Vick-Tomlinson draft day deal.

Actually I’m just whining Dwight’s my favorite non-Colts player my far and one of two current NFL players from my hometown.

my blog http://shakennbaken.blogspot.com

by shake n bake on Apr 23, 2008 12:24 AM EDT reply actions

I met Steve Smith

Down here in South Carolina. He was pretty cool and he offered his autograph without me asking. I was like “yea i guess but im gonna root against you if you play the colts”. He told me he wished he had Peyton. We talked for about 10 minutes.

by skywalker on Apr 23, 2008 2:07 PM EDT reply actions