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Colts coach Chuck Pagano gives emotional speech in 1st trip back to stadium since leukemia diagnosis

Indianapolis Colts quarterback Andrew Luck set an NFL record in his team's win over the Miami Dolphins on Sunday but the QB only wanted to talk about his coach.

On a day in which Luck threw for a rookie record 433 yards and two touchdowns, Colts head coach Chuck Pagano made his first trip back inside Indy's home stadium since being diagnosed with leukemia in September.

"I don't think I heard the first couple of sentences that came out of his mouth," Luck said. "I was just excited to see him there because that's the head coach talking."

Pagano inspired the players with his pregame and postgame speeches.

"I mentioned before the game that you guys were living in a vision and you weren't living in circumstances," Pagano said. "Because you know where they had us in the beginning. Every last one of them. But you refused to live in circumstances and you decided conciously as a team and as a family to live in a vision. And that's why you bring things home like you brought home today.

"That's why you're already champions and well on your way. I got circumstances. You guys understand it. I understand it. It's already beat. It's already beat. My vision that I'm living is to see two more daughters get married, dance at their weddings and then hoist that Lombardi several times. I'm dancing at two more weddings and we're hoisting that trophy together."

Pagano was hospitalized from Sept. 26 until Oct. 21, when doctors released him to return home. The 52-year-old coach is scheduled to begin a second round of chemotherapy this week.

"I don't think there was anybody in this locker room that wasn't not wanting to give everything to get a `W' today for him," receiver Reggie Wayne said of his longtime friend and coach. "When he walked in after this victory it was tough, it was hard to hold everything back. You saw a bunch of teary eyes and everything. It was a big win for us, and it took everything we had just to get it done. It was even sweeter just to have him here to enjoy it."

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