As a reward for an above-average year, today my company sent numerous employees on a field trip to the Indianapolis Colts Training Facility on the northwest side of Indianapolis, where they spend hours upon hours working out, honing, drilling, planning, and doing everything within their power to man up so that when things go wrong during each game, it’ll hopefully be someone else’s fault.

I saw new things up close, had a few snacks, took a few photos, watched others enjoy some of the more physical activities, and maybe learned a thing about football.

Friends and longtime MCC readers know sports aren’t my thing, but sometimes I don’t let that deter me when opportunity knocks.

I’ve driven past the Facility before, as it’s down the street from our largest, prettiest city park, but I’d never had cause to step inside before. I expected it would be huge, but I didn’t expect the main building to contain an entire football field. Perhaps I should’ve. I’m short-sighted sometimes.

Visitors had a variety of activities to try, many of them physical and outside my skill set. Folks could throw or kick actual footballs, run a 40-yard dash, and so on. I thought tackling practice might be fun, but it wasn’t an option.

The Lombardi trophy shown above was on display in the center of the field. The line to take selfies with it was the longest of them all. That part took up the majority of my time.

A separate pavilion offered free snacks and drinks. I’d been hoping for authentic tailgate treats such as potato skins, Buffalo wings, or pricey gourmet platters, but those were apparently beyond the scope of their catering options. We appreciated the complimentary calories nonetheless.

A few special personalities were on hand to welcome us and enliven the soiree. #15 wide receiver Phillip Dorsett, a first-round draft pick from Miami in his first year on the team, was on hand to sign autographs.

Also mingling with the crowd: authentic Colts cheerleaders. I can honestly say I’ve never had my photo taken with a professional cheerleader before, let alone two. Today was filled with new experiences, but for me this scene may have been the weirdest of all.