You might not think that this is big Colts news. And you would be wrong. "The Dean" of Indianapolis sports, the Indianapolis Star's Mike Chappell, announced this afternoon that his final day at the Star will be September 8 - making this Sunday's game against the Broncos the last Colts game Mike will cover with the Indy Star.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>FYI. Sept. 8 my last day at The Star. Been a tremendous ride. Been involved with some awesome colleagues.</p>— Mike Chappell (@mchappell51) <a href="https://twitter.com/mchappell51/statuses/506859098436952064">September 2, 2014</a></blockquote>
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Ever since the Colts came to Indy, Chapell was the one covering them. Last year, during the season in which the Colts celebrated their 30th season in Indy, owner Jim Irsay appeared in the press box during a home game and presented Chappell with a jersey commemorating his 30th year of covering the Colts.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>That's awesome. "<a href="https://twitter.com/DaveFurst">@DaveFurst</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/JimIrsay">@JimIrsay</a> with a surprise for Star's <a href="https://twitter.com/mchappell51">@mchappell51</a> for 30 yrs of covering the <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Colts?src=hash">#Colts</a>. <a href="http://t.co/uI5bHrFiJh">pic.twitter.com/uI5bHrFiJh</a> "</p>— Josh Wilson (@Coltsfanwilson) <a href="https://twitter.com/Coltsfanwilson/statuses/379313445629210625">September 15, 2013</a></blockquote>
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Chappell is literally the best. He is a tremendous writer and reporter and an even better person. In meeting with and talking to Chappell over the years, he's been nothing but awesome to me. I first met him when I was a part of a panel in Indy with him and some other media, and I since got to hang out with him at training camp. We had some great conversations, and I'd always come away being amazed at his knowledge of the Colts and what he remembered from years past. He mentioned how he has an extensive video library of recorded Colts games, and sometimes he'll just put in a tape from early in Peyton Manning's tenure and watch it. Maybe I'll get to watch one with him sometime, because that'd certainly be a great experience.
Throughout it all, Chappell has been awesome. And I'm not alone in thinking that.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>Can't express how much <a href="https://twitter.com/mchappell51">@mchappell51</a> has helped me on Colts beat. Knowledge and experience unparalleled. Best of luck, Chap.</p>— George Bremer (@gmbremer) <a href="https://twitter.com/gmbremer/statuses/506863552343183360">September 2, 2014</a></blockquote>
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>Two guys from the Indy Star who have been instrumental in how I've done my job are leaving: Mike Chappell and Phil Richards.</p>— Tom James (@TribStarTJames) <a href="https://twitter.com/TribStarTJames/statuses/506862089898835968">September 2, 2014</a></blockquote>
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>When I first started covering the Colts on a regular basis in 1999, Chap was the first to greet me with open arms. Has been a lot of help.</p>— Tom James (@TribStarTJames) <a href="https://twitter.com/TribStarTJames/statuses/506863298953093120">September 2, 2014</a></blockquote>
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>I'll miss reading <a href="https://twitter.com/mchappell51">@mchappell51</a> Colts coverage, but I will miss more seeing him every time I am in Indy. A gentleman & a pro. Congrats, Mike!</p>— Judy Battista (@judybattista) <a href="https://twitter.com/judybattista/statuses/506862710823587841">September 2, 2014</a></blockquote>
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>Allow me to join the chorus of thx to <a href="https://twitter.com/mchappell51">@mchappell51</a>. Great writer, better person. Hope to keep seeing you around the <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Colts?src=hash">#Colts</a>. Next beer on me.</p>— Greg Rakestraw (@gregrakestraw) <a href="https://twitter.com/gregrakestraw/statuses/506862086291742720">September 2, 2014</a></blockquote>
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>Few writers have influenced me as much as <a href="https://twitter.com/mchappell51">@mchappell51</a> I've been reading him every day for more than 20 years. Thanks.</p>— Nate Dunlevy (@NateDunlevy) <a href="https://twitter.com/NateDunlevy/statuses/506862429209247744">September 2, 2014</a></blockquote>
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-conversation="none" lang="en"><p>Talk about tough losses! They don't call <a href="https://twitter.com/mchappell51">@mchappell51</a> 'The Dean' for nothing. Everyone at <a href="https://twitter.com/IndyStarSports">@IndyStarSports</a> has utmost respect for Chap.</p>— David Woods (@DavidWoods007) <a href="https://twitter.com/DavidWoods007/statuses/506860154466607104">September 2, 2014</a></blockquote>
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>My colleague <a href="https://twitter.com/mchappell51">@mchappell51</a> has made it official: He's leaving the Star on Sept. 8. Hard to quantify just how much we'll miss him.</p>— Michael Pointer (@michaelpointer) <a href="https://twitter.com/michaelpointer/statuses/506860027458498560">September 2, 2014</a></blockquote>
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>On a personal note, good luck to <a href="https://twitter.com/mchappell51">@mchappell51</a>. He's leaving The Indy Star. He's a human encyclopedia. Remembers plays, time from 30 yrs ago</p>— Mike Wells (@MikeWellsNFL) <a href="https://twitter.com/MikeWellsNFL/statuses/506860790755115008">September 2, 2014</a></blockquote>
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>A throwback <a href="https://twitter.com/mchappell51">@mchappell51</a> pic from the heyday of covering games at the Wigwam. <a href="http://t.co/AOXQPkwaw7">pic.twitter.com/AOXQPkwaw7</a></p>— Kyle Neddenriep (@KyleNeddenriep) <a href="https://twitter.com/KyleNeddenriep/statuses/506864056041750528">September 2, 2014</a></blockquote>
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Chappell joins a group of great writers departing the Star recently, including Phil B. Wilson, Bob Kravitz, and Phil Richards. Best of luck to all of them - the Start won't be the same. They have suffered a great loss in losing Chappell, and in many ways it's the end of an era. Best of luck to Mike in his future endeavors.