Tuesday was Groundhog Day, but for the Colts, Super Bowl week in Miami has been Groundhog Week.
According to The Indianapolis Star, the team has 19 players on its active roster who played for the Colts in Super Bowl XLI in Miami three years ago, when they beat the Bears 29-17. The team hopes history repeats itself on Sunday.
Some Colts already experienced déjà vu when they entered the team’s Miami hotel.
"Same room. I got the same room," Colts cornerback Kelvin Hayden told The Indianapolis Star. "When I checked in and walked in the room, it was kind of like, 'OK, yeah, I kind of do remember this room,' except for the whole scene of outside with XLI [banners].”
While the experience helps, Colts coach Jim Caldwell knows doesn’t guarantee a Super Bowl victory.
"There are only 25 of our guys who have had that experience, and some of them will rub off on some of the younger guys, and it will give them a little bit of direction, but it doesn't give you any real advantage," Caldwell told The Indianapolis Star. "There are no guarantees."
At least one Colts player may have a good luck charm. Hayden plans to wear the same game-day suit he wore prior to Super Bowl XLI.
"Kind of a warm Miami look," he said. "It's kind of a pineappleish type color, a real live color. It gives you that South Beach feel."
Unfortunately, lucky charms do not guarantee success.
Colts players will need to “suit up” in Super Bowl XLIV if they hope to capture the franchise’s fourth championship.
