Pagano letter instructs players, coach to focus on getting .500 with win over Packers

INDIANAPOLIS – Colts coach Chuck Pagano told his team before Sunday’s game that it needed to focus on getting to .500 rather than winning the game for him.

In an email sent to players earlier this week and released by the Colts during the game against Green Bay, Pagano wrote to players, thanking them for their love and support and insisting he would win his battle with leukemia.

Pagano has been hospitalized since Sept. 26 and missed the game as he continued to undergo treatment.

While team owner Jim Irsay said Monday that he wanted the team to win so it could deliver a game ball to Pagano, the ailing coach told players to focus on being .500 — nothing else — and to have a laser sharp focus against the Packers.

News from © The Associated Press, . All rights reserved.
This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Join the Conversation!

Want to share your thoughts, add context, or connect with others in your community?

The Associated Press

The Associated Press is an independent global news organization dedicated to factual reporting. Founded in 1846, AP today remains the most trusted source of fast, accurate, unbiased news in all formats and the essential provider of the technology and services vital to the news business. More than half the world’s population sees AP journalism every day.