Indianapolis Colts Surprised By Backlash Over AFC Finalist Banner

The Indianapolis Colts recently made a foolish decision to hang a “2014 AFC Finalist” banner at Lucas Oil Stadium.

In fairness to the Colts, advancing to the AFC Championship Game is a good accomplishment, particularly for a franchise that’s still building toward becoming a legit Super Bowl contender.

Remembering the accomplishment with an actual banner doesn’t make any sense at all, though, especially when you lost the game 45-7 to your most hated rival.

Unsurprisingly, the Colts don’t understand why the decision has been met with so much backlash.

“It’s very hard in the National Football League to win,” Colts COO Pete Ward told ESPN.com. “Not every team gets to make the playoffs. To make the playoffs, and more so consistently, is something to be proud of. It’s an achievement to be proud of. A lot of teams would love to be in a position to recognize a playoff season regardless of how it ends.”

It’s not like the Colts are desperate to hang a banner. They have won two AFC titles (2006, 2009) and one Super Bowl (2006), and all three wins resulted in a banner being raised to the roof at Lucas Oil Stadium.