The Indianapolis Colts have announced that the team will not re-sign veteran wide receiver Reggie Wayne.
The team announced the decision in a release on Friday morning.
In the lengthy release, the Colts acknowledged that Wayne was one of the franchise’s greatest players. He is the all-time leader in regular season games played with 211 and ranks second for the Colts all-time in receptions, receiving yards and receiving touchdowns, behind former teammate Marvin Harrison. He also was a key part of the team winning Super Bowl XLI.
Several people in the organization expressed their gratitude for all that Wayne did during his time with the team, including owner Jim Irsay who described the day as “sad.”
“He truly is one of a small handful of players who really define the Colts as an organization,” said general manager Ryan Grigson. “We wish him nothing but the best in whatever new endeavor he pursues.”
Head coach Chuck Pagano, who coached the wide out in college at the University of Miami and again when he joined the organization in 2012, praised Wayne and said that he “encompasses everything that is right about this game, on and off the field.”
Wayne’s numbers are not what they were years ago. Last season, he only caught two touchdowns passes after coming off an ACL injury that sidelined him for much of the season the year before. At 36, he may still have gas left in the tank, but he could choose to retire since he has nothing left to prove and already cemented his name with the greats.
Twitter image courtesy of the Indianapolis Colts