Matt Overton is from California. He lives in Jacksonville now.
But Indianapolis is home.
"My fiance's from there," the Jaguars' long snapper explained after practice Monday. "It's been home for me now going on nine years."
It was a little over seven years ago that Overton signed his first contract with the Indianapolis Colts on April 3, 2012. Just a few weeks later, on April 24, the Colts drafted quarterback Andrew Luck first overall out of Stanford.
Needless to say, Luck's announcement over the weekend that he would be retiring from football stunned Overton. Even more upsetting for Overton -- and many players across the NFL -- was that, when news of Luck's retirement broke during the Colts' preseason game, Colts' fans began to boo. Many fans are now reportedly calling the Colts headquarters asking for refunds on their season tickets
"Being former teammates with him and playing alongside him for five years, I know the man he is. The competitor he is. The teammate he is," Overton said. "People are questioning his character, his toughness. I think that's a bunch of BS, man."
So, Overton has a proposal for those fans wanting to sell their tickets: sell them to him.
And he'll donate them right back to Indianapolis, by giving them to a cause near and dear to his heart: Riley Children's Hospital.
"I thought to myself, 'hey, how can we turn this into a positive?'" Overton said.
"If there's anyone willing to sell them to me -- a rival Jaguars player -- we'll make it happen... and give an opportunity to some very deserving kids and families."
At the time of interview, Overton had not heard back from any season ticket holders selling their tickets, but he had heard back on Twitter from fans from across the NFL, supporting his cause. His local media outlets in California are sharing his story to see if any fans wish to support Overton's cause.