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Immokalee’s Albert Bentley was part of the second edition of the Indianapolis Colts in 1985.
So there’s no question where his allegiance will be on Super Bowl Sunday — he didn’t play for the Baltimore Colts. The franchise moved to Indianapolis in 1984 and some of those Baltimore alumni have disowned the franchise.
As a matter of fact, Bentley, 46, has followed the Colts quite closely even since he retired in 1992.
“I’ve followed them really close this year,” said Bentley, who was in Miami at a charity golf tournament on Friday, play in another one with NFL alumni today at Doral Resort & Spa, then go to the game on Sunday. “I go up, usually, for two or three games a season, ever since I stopped playing. I’ve been up for a few games this season.
He was at the AFC Championship Game two weeks ago, the same one the Colts trailed 21-3 after New England returned an interception for a touchdown.
“It was crazy,” Bentley said. “You basically stood up the whole three hours of the game.”
Bentley remained standing even after Peyton Manning’s pass was intercepted and returned in the second quarter. And standing by his Colts.
“A buddy of mine — we had a small wager on the game — and when we were down 21-3, he called me and started razzing me,” Bentley said. “I showed a vote of confidence by asking him if he wanted to double the bet. I was really confident we were going to come back and win that game.”
Obviously, the Colts backed up Bentley’s confidence, rallying for the 38-34 victory and sealing it with an interception of Patriots quarterback Tom Brady in the final minute in Indianapolis territory.
For Bentley, as for the Colts franchise and the fans, Sunday’s Super Bowl appearance feels like a long time coming, given Indianapolis’ regular-season success the past few years.
“They should have been in the Super Bowl last year, I thought,” said Bentley, who rushed for 2,355 yards in six full seasons before playing sparingly the final two. “I just think the total experience wasn’t there, and then just bad breaks.”
Instead, a Colts team that some would argue isn’t as good as either of the last two editions is playing in the Super Bowl. And without former star running back, and fellow Immokalee and University of Miami alum, Edgerrin James, who left for more money with the Arizona Cardinals when the Colts didn’t have enough salary cap room.
“It would’ve been nice for him,” said Bentley, who played in one postseason game, a 38-21 loss to Cleveland in 1987. “I would’ve loved to have seen him there, being from the same hometown, playing at the same high school and everything else. It’s kind of the breaks. The life in the NFL is a short life.”
Bentley still follows his Hurricanes, too, and was pleased with the decision to fire head coach Larry Coker, despite Coker’s success early in his tenure. Defensive coordinator Randy Shannon replaced Coker.
“When a team is spiraling down, you have to make changes,” said Bentley, who played with Bernie Kosar and under Howard Schnellenberger on the 1983 national champions. “You’ve got to make changes at the top. Hopefully this is going to work out that this is going to be a good change.”
Thankfully, Miami and Pittsburgh don’t play one another or Bentley may have to consider changing his feelings. His nephew, Barron Collier running back Greg Williams, has made a verbal commitment to play for the Panthers, coached by part-time Naples resident Dave Wannstedt. Williams can sign on Wednesday.
“I’ve been talking with him all the way,” Bentley said. “He kind of settled on Pitt. I think with Wannstedt there, it’s going to be a great opportunity for him. Pitt has great athletic facilities and I think he’s going to do real well there. He’s a real hard worker.”
So was Bentley, a former walk-on whose name appears on UM’s walk-on award. Now he would like to see the Colts’ hard work pay off with a Super Bowl win.
“There is a mental curve to get to,” he said. “I think they just finally reached that point. Hopefully, they’re going to be able to take it all the way home.”

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