By using this site, you agree to the Privacy Policy and Terms of Use.
Accept
BigPaulSportsBigPaulSports
Notification Show More
Latest News
No. 11 Wisconsin stays red-hot with elusive win over Illinois, 95-74
No. 11 Wisconsin stays red-hot with elusive win over Illinois, 95-74
Game Analysis
LIV Golf explained | LIV on FOX
LIV Golf explained | LIV on FOX
Game Analysis
Shedeur Sanders might have revealed his preferred NFL team, all thanks to Madden
Shedeur Sanders might have revealed his preferred NFL team, all thanks to Madden
Game Analysis NFL
No. 14 Michigan St beats No. 13 Purdue 75-66, moves within half-game of 1st in Big Ten
No. 14 Michigan St beats No. 13 Purdue 75-66, moves within half-game of 1st in Big Ten
Game Analysis
Champions League: 10-man AC Milan eliminated, Club Brugge completes shocker
Champions League: 10-man AC Milan eliminated, Club Brugge completes shocker
Game Analysis
Aa
  • Big Paul Sports
  • Services
  • Game Analysis
  • Free Picks
  • Premium Content
  • Registration
  • Member Login
Reading: Even at 39, Joe Flacco hasn’t lost his love of the game, and he’s ready to help Indy win
Share
Aa
BigPaulSportsBigPaulSports
  • Big Paul Sports
  • Services
  • Game Analysis
  • Free Picks
  • Premium Content
  • Registration
  • Member Login
Search
  • Big Paul Sports
  • Services
  • Game Analysis
  • Free Picks
  • Premium Content
  • Registration
  • Member Login
Have an existing account? Sign In
Follow US
BigPaulSports > Blog > NFL > Even at 39, Joe Flacco hasn’t lost his love of the game, and he’s ready to help Indy win
NFLSports News

Even at 39, Joe Flacco hasn’t lost his love of the game, and he’s ready to help Indy win

BigP
Last updated: 2024/03/22 at 9:41 PM
BigP Published March 22, 2024
Share
Even at 39, Joe Flacco hasn't lost his love of the game, and he's ready to help Indy win
SHARE
  • Stephen Holder, ESPNMar 22, 2024, 04:06 PM ET

    Close

      Stephen joined ESPN in 2022, covering the Indianapolis Colts and NFL at large. Stephen finished first place in column writing in the 2015 Indiana Associated Press Media Editors competition, and he is a previous top-10 winner in explanatory journalism in the Associated Press Sports Editors national contest. He has chronicled the NFL since 2005, covering the Tampa Bay Buccaneers from 2005-2013 and the Colts since 2013. He has previously worked for the Miami Herald, Tampa Bay Times, Indianapolis Star and The Athletic.

INDIANAPOLIS — After 16 NFL seasons, a Super Bowl MVP award and more than 43,000 passing yards, it’s fair to ask why 39-year old Indianapolis Colts quarterback Joe Flacco would want to join his fifth different team to back up a second-year quarterback.

As it turns out, the answer isn’t that complicated, said Flacco, who signed a one-year contract with the Colts this month.

“Early in my career … you kind of look at guys that have been around a long time,” he said Friday, “and you’re like, ‘Man, it must be nice being around for 10 years. They probably don’t even get nervous for games anymore.’

“It just never happens; this game always means a ton. Every time that you take that practice field, you have a certain feeling. Every time that you go out there and play a game, you have a certain feeling that you get. You just want to go play.”

Best of NFL Nation

&#8226 AFC North roundtable: Best moves
&#8226 Why the Vikings paid up for Jones
&#8226 Busy Bills are not done yet
&#8226 Panthers’ signings were a necessity
&#8226 Could Sam Howell be the QB1?
&#8226 The unique style of Ricardo Chavez

Flacco’s exuberance for the game was never more evident than during his time filling in as the Cleveland Browns‘ starter late last season after Deshaun Watson suffered a season-ending injury Nov. 12. Flacco helped lead a surprising run to the postseason that earned him the 2023 Comeback Player of the Year award.

But it’s a disposition he has always had, and he’s bringing it with him to Indianapolis.

Funny thing is, Flacco’s love for the game was reinforced at the moment when he was furthest away from it. A year ago at this time, his phone was conspicuously quiet. Teams weren’t interested in the free-agent quarterback who was 1-8 in his previous nine starts and had completed fewer than 58% of his pass attempts. It was disappointing to him, to say the least.

After joining the Browns, Joe Flacco became the first player in NFL history to have 250 passing yards and multiple passing touchdowns in each of his first five games with a franchise. Gregory Shamus/Getty Images

“I figured I’d go through training camp and all that,” he said. “I figured once the season started, at some point I would get a call.”

But that didn’t happen for many more months. The Browns didn’t sign Flacco until Nov. 20, by which time their quarterback situation had become dire. And during all that waiting, Flacco realized something important.

He realized he didn’t have other passions to pour himself into. Even after more than $175 million in career earnings and a stellar career, Flacco needed football.

“When you have something that you love to do and you enjoy putting in the work and all that, I don’t know too many people that would give that up to try and go do something else or figure out what else that may be,” he said. “I have no idea what else that would be. One day, I’ll figure that out. But I’m not really ready to go figure out what else that may be that I love to do, especially when I’m going to be given an opportunity to do what I love to do.”

Flacco, now many years removed from that Super Bowl XLVII run, and more than five years after his final days as the Baltimore Ravens‘ franchise quarterback, isn’t in Indianapolis to play a central role. In fact, if the season goes according to the Colts’ plans, he won’t play at all.

This is Anthony Richardson‘s team, the quarterback the Colts spent the No. 4 pick on last year and plan to be their long-term starter. As Richardson recovers from season-ending shoulder surgery, the Colts signed Flacco to be the No. 2 behind a starter who is 18 years younger. That raised an interesting question, given some of Flacco’s past statements about being a mentor at this stage of his career.

“I think [mentoring] happens naturally as you become part of the team,” he said. “And, like I said, you’re in that room and you are going to obviously do that. I’ve proven to be, I think as far as I’m concerned, a good teammate, and I think that’s most important. Those kind of things happen naturally.

“… The end goal is to win a lot of football games here, and I want to be a part of that in any way I can.”

Sponsored Content

Juega en grande con cryptomonedas

You Might Also Like

Shedeur Sanders might have revealed his preferred NFL team, all thanks to Madden

2025 NFL franchise tag tracker: Tee Higgins leads list of candidates (again)

Will the 49ers regret paying Brock Purdy? | First Things First

Panthers re-sign QB Andy Dalton on 2-year deal to keep mentoring Bryce Young

BigP March 22, 2024
Share this Article
Facebook Twitter Email Print

Follow US

Find US on Social Medias
Facebook Like
Twitter Follow
Youtube Subscribe
Telegram Follow
newsletter featurednewsletter featured

Weekly Newsletter

Subscribe to our newsletter to get our newest articles instantly!

    Popular News
    Who's won the Heisman Trophy? A list of past winners
    NCAASports News

    Who’s won the Heisman Trophy? A list of past winners

    BigP BigP December 10, 2022
    Source: Notre Dame targets Utah’s Ludwig for OC
    Cardinals don’t need combine workout to evaluate Marvin Harrison Jr: ‘He’s a playmaker’
    Experts debate: Best picks and biggest head-scratchers
    We understand what’s at stake”: Key intel as Ravens, Dolphins fight for AFC’s top seed
    - Advertisement -
    Ad imageAd image

    Categories

    • Sports

    About US

    We offer information and tips on US Sports and evernts all over the world.
    Top Categories
    • Game Analysis
    • Free Picks
    • Services
    • Premium Content

    Subscribe US

    Subscribe to our newsletter to get our newest articles instantly!

      © Foxiz News Network. Ruby Design Company. All Rights Reserved.

      Removed from reading list

      Undo
      Welcome Back!

      Sign in to your account

      Lost your password?