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Reggie Wayne is one of the best wide receivers in Indianapolis Colts history.

Colts fans always remember the Peyton Manning-Reggie Wayne connection from 2001 to 2011.

Wayne’s signature fist-pump celebration in the end zone was a sight to behold.

His return to the Colts as the team’s wide receivers coach is a breath of fresh air.

He has also made headlines lately, saying new Colts quarterback Matt Ryan reminds him so much of Manning, his fellow New Orleans native.

With those in mind, it’s a good time to reminisce on Wayne’s career with the Horseshoe.

Reggie Wayne Helped The Colts Become Perennial Super Bowl Contenders 

The Colts made Wayne the 30th overall selection of the 2001 NFL Draft.

Wayne joined the Colts at a time when they were on the cusp of becoming perennial division and Super Bowl contenders.

He had 345 receiving yards during his rookie year when the Colts won just six games.

His pro football career took off shortly afterward.

Wayne was part of a three-headed monster at wide receiver that included Marvin Harrison and Brandon Stokley from 2003 to 2006.

Indy never won fewer than 12 games during that memorable stretch in franchise history.

For his part, Wayne strung together eight seasons with at least 1,055 yards from 2004 to 2012.

To nobody’s surprise, he earned six Pro Bowl berths during that time frame.

He also helped the Colts win Super Bowl XLI over the Chicago Bears on February 4, 2007.

It took the city of Indianapolis 23 long years to cherish its first Super Bowl trophy.

Wayne helped make that moment possible.

Reminiscing The Best Moments In Reggie Wayne’s NFL Career  

Wayne’s touchdown reception from Manning in Super Bowl XLI was one of the best moments in his pro football career.

Colts head coach Tony Dungy allowed Adam Vinatieri to kick the ball to Bears punt return specialist Devin Hester on the opening kickoff.

Big mistake.

Hester returned the ball some 90 yards to the end zone for the touchdown.

Fortunately, Wayne’s touchdown catch allowed the Horseshoe to knot the count at 7 apiece after the PAT.

His fist-pump celebration made the moment even more memorable.

Wayne’s stellar 212-yard performance against the Green Bay Packers in 2012 is forever etched in Colts’ lore.

Wayne, who wore orange gloves for the game, caught the game-winning touchdown from Andrew Luck in the waning moments of the fourth quarter.

It capped off a stirring comeback from a 21-3 halftime deficit.

Wayne’s heroics served as a memorable tribute to then-Colts head coach Chuck Pagano, who was battling leukemia at the time.

Wayne and Pagano go a long way back since their days with the Miami Hurricanes.

Wayne finished his legendary 14-year NFL career with 14,345 receiving yards and 82 touchdowns on 1,070 receptions.

Welcome Back To Indy

Wayne set the bar high for his current crop of Colts wide receivers.

If there’s anybody who can help guys such as Michael Pittman, Jr., Alec Pierce, Ashton Dulin, and Dezmon Patmon reach their full potential, it’s Wayne.

It bears repeating: Wayne is one of the best wide receivers who wore the Horseshoe.

His induction into the Indianapolis Colts Ring of Honor in 2018 serves as hard evidence.

Colts fans will wait for the day when Wayne finally earns that elusive gold jacket and bust in the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

That’s the proverbial icing on the cake.

This article first appeared on The Cold Wire and was syndicated with permission.

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