Colts cheerleaders go bald for Pagano
When Indianapolis Colts head coach Chuck Pagano was diagnosed with cancer and had to leave his team for treatment, it was no secret his players supported him wholeheartedly. Some of the players even shaved their heads to support Pagano.
But a few members of the Colts organization raised the bar Sunday during Indy’s game against the Buffalo Bills when they went under the clippers as well. What makes them different? These weren’t players getting a buzz cut – these were cheerleaders losing some seriously long locks.
The cheerleaders, Crystal Ann and Megan M., shaved their heads to raise money for leukemia. They collected $22,000 in their fundraising efforts. Fittingly, it was Pagano’s second straight home game back at the stadium since his diagnosis, and he received a standing ovation from the crowd during the fourth quarter. He has not been involved in normal operations since Sept. 26 when he left the game to undergo treatment and lost some hair of his own.
Pagano’s doctor said earlier this month that his leukemia is in complete remission, but his treatment is not yet finished. The 52-year-old has already undergone two rounds of chemotherapy with another beginning Friday.
Interim coach Bruce Arians has high hopes for Pagano, wanting him on the sideline for the Colts final regular-season game Dec. 30. The team also has some extra incentive to reach the postseason, hoping by then Pagano may be able to return to his coaching duties, at least in a limited capacity.
