INDIANAPOLIS — The Indianapolis Colts kick off the season against the Houston Texans at Lucas Oil Stadium on Sunday. While Colts Nation is pumped, there might not be anyone more excited than one Colts super fan.
"This all actually started when we moved in here in 2015," said Rick Stevens. "The first thing I did here was paint the fireplace and then painted the walls. My wife wonders why I painted the walls because you can't see the walls."
Signed jerseys, hats and cards cover every inch of Stevens' ceiling and walls in his Colts cave. "It's an ever-changing entity. It's a monster actually," said Stevens.
This monster didn't happen overnight, unlike his love for the Colts. "I became a Colts fan in 1987, October 1987 when GM Jim Irsay made the trade to acquire Eric Dickerson from the Los Angeles Rams. I grew up a Rams fan. As soon as that trade was made, I became a Colts fan that night," said Stevens.
A few years ago, Stevens' friend had an idea. "Said, 'hey Rick, you got this awesome Colts cave. Why don't you become Colts Caveman?' I thought about it for a couple weeks and thought you know, 'why not?' I put on a wig and colored the beard and became Colts Caveman," said Stevens.
It was a hit with Colts Nation. Word about his Colts cave spread. Former Colt Eric Ebron stopped by with his game-worn jersey. "Just a couple years ago, we were having a Colts Nation cookout, which I do every year, Yannick Ngakoue showed up and brought me a game-winning jersey," said Stevens.
Then, Jim Irsay sent the Colts Caveman and his wife to the Super Bowl. He received the text at work next to his boss.
"I don't know what the look on my face was, but he had immediate concern that something was wrong, and nothing was wrong. Man, we were going to the Super Bowl. I about passed out," Stevens.
However, Stevens' collection goes beyond any experience or piece of memorabilia.
"Colts are big in Indy. They're pretty much everything," Stevens said. His passion brings fans together.
"They come from all over, Germany and England and Japan. So, it's funny how we have this tight bond, some of which we never met. We want to, but we have never met them," said Stevens.
The Colts Caveman will be there on Sunday, supporting the Boys in Blue.
"Oh, it's going to be loud and proud. Hopefully, the roof's open because if not, we're going to blow the roof off of it," Stevens said.
Kickoff is at 1 p.m. on Sunday. Jim Irsay announced that the roof will be open.