Indianapolis, IN

Chris Ballard goes on expletive-filled rant to defend ‘pissed’ second-round pick Adonai Mitchell

Published

2 years ago

April 27, 2024

Chris Ballard goes on expletive-filled rant to defend ‘pissed’ second-round pick Adonai Mitchell

INDIANAPOLIS — Adonai Mitchell’s phone finally started ringing on Friday night. Colts general manager Chris Ballard was on the phone with what he hoped would be good news.

Mitchell’s family began to celebrate, but Mitchell left the jubilation to them. He had a different feeling simmering inside.

“Right now, the only thing I’m kinda feeling now is I’m kind of pissed,” Mitchell said. “I don’t know what other way to call it.”

Mitchell was projected to go late in the first round by some mock drafts but was not one of the seven receivers taken in it. He was the fourth receiver off the board in the second round, after the Colts traded back from No. 46 with the Panthers to No. 52 and made him their first offensive selection of the draft.

“At the end of the day, people were chosen before me. That’s just the reality of it,” Mitchell said. “My job now is to make them pay.”

Mitchell had some first-round buzz for obvious reasons: He ran a 4.34-second 40-yard dash, good for third among all receivers at this year’s NFL Scouting Combine. Throw in a 39.5-inch vertical jump and a 136-inch broad jump, and he posted a score of 9.99 out of 10.00 on the Relative Athletic Score, which compares all combine participants since 1987.

But the reasons he slipped aren’t hard to find either: Mitchell had just one year of big production after transferring from Georgia. He also came with concerns about his preparation, attitude and interviews with teams, as expressed by anonymous NFL scouts to longtime journalist Bob McGinn of Go Long as well as on NFL Network during the draft broadcast.

The Colts decided to take him after a small trade back, with hopes that he can compete with Alec Pierce to be the team’s starting ‘Z’ receiver and deep-ball specialist for second-year passer Anthony Richardson.

Moments after the pick, general manager Chris Ballard delivered a profane defense of his newest receiver against those anonymous scouting reports.

“I read some of the (expletive) that was said on TV, just some of the typical (expletive) — excuse my language — just our typical league: unnamed sources, bad interviews. That’s such (expletive),” Ballard said. “It just (expletive) is. It’s (expletive). Put your name on it. I’m tired of it.

“We tear these young men down. These are 21- or 22-year-old young men. If people out there can tell me they’re perfect in their lives. It’s crap. It’s crap. This is a good kid. For those reports to come out — I said it last year. It’s (expletive). I’m sorry. I apologize. I don’t, but I do.”

Mitchell’s entrance into the NFL is laced with chippiness, which the Colts believe is in some ways essential to his makeup and any chances of reaching the ceiling within those athletic traits. They have popped in some of the biggest games of his life so far, including in the College Football Playoff and against Alabama. But now, the challenge is drilling that fury down into a day-to-day professionalism and consistency that can sustain a career at the highest level.

That’s where they hope the match with receivers coach Reggie Wayne can work. Wayne brings fire to the role but also a relatability as a six-time Pro Bowl receiver with the Colts who won a Super Bowl and is regularly in the running for the Hall-of-Fame.

“He’s competitive. He’s like any young player: They get built up so big now, especially in college football with NIL and all the stuff they go through,” Ballard said. “Sometimes, a little adversity, a little humbleness is a good thing. I think he’ll respond good to it.”

It’s time to get to work. In Mitchell’s eyes, he’s bringing a simple skill set to the Colts and to the NFL:

“The best,” he said.

Contact Nate Atkins at natkins@indystar.com. Follow him on Twitter @NateAtkins_.

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Indianapolis, IN

Kitchen fire forces evacuation at Indianapolis’ Sullivan’s Steakhouse

Published

6 hours ago

May 10, 2026

Press Room

Kitchen fire forces evacuation at Indianapolis’ Sullivan’s Steakhouse

INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) — 45 employees and guests were forced to evacuate Sullivan’s Steakhouse on East 86th Street late Saturday night, which is right next to The Fashion Mall at Keystone.

According to a social media post from the Indianapolis Fire Department, just after 10 p.m., a fire broke out inside the kitchen exhaust hood system and spread to the roof.

(Photo Provided by the Indianapolis Fire Department via X)

Multiple 911 callers reported flames on the roof and the fire was marked as working while IFD crews were en route.

Firefighters say the aggressive fire was under control in 26 minutes.

Thankfully, no was one injured.

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Indianapolis, IN

Man fatally shot near 10th Street, Shadeland Avenue on Mother’s Day

Published

18 hours ago

May 10, 2026

Press Room

Man fatally shot near 10th Street, Shadeland Avenue on Mother’s Day

INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) — A man is dead, and a suspect has been detained following a shooting on Indy’s far east side.

The shooting took place around midnight Sunday near the intersection of East 10th Street and Shadeland Avenue.

Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department officers arrived at the scene and found a man with multiple gunshot wounds. Medics rushed him to a hospital, where he later died.

Investigators say they believe it started as an altercation in the parking lot of a business before the shooting happened.

The suspect stayed on the scene and was later detained. IMPD says they located a gun in the suspect’s car.

IMPD Capt. John Arvin told media at the scene, “It’s Mother’s Day. Here’s the tragedy. A mother is going to get a knock on the door this morning that her son is dead. For the rest of her life, every Mother’s Day, she’s going to remember that’s the day my son died.

“That just makes this a senseless tragedy. We have no idea what the fight was over, what led to the shooting, but whatever it was, does it lead to someone’s mother knowing for the rest of her life my son died on mothers day. That’s just tragedy.”

Police say many of the surrounding businesses have security cameras, and they will contact them today to review the footage as part of the investigation.

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Indianapolis, IN

Indianapolis Race Results: May 9, 2026 (INDYCAR) – Racing News

Published

1 day ago

May 9, 2026

Press Room

IndyCar race results from the Indianapolis Motor Speedway

IndyCar Series drivers are on the grid in Indianapolis, Indiana. The Indianapolis Motor Speedway road course is set to host a day of open wheel racing.

View Indianapolis race results for the IndyCar Series below.

Alex Palou and Pato O’Ward set the front row. 85 laps laps of stock car racing are up next…

Race Report

Green flag, Alex Palou is clear out of turn one. Pato O’Ward is turned! Scott Dixon and others are collected. The caution is out.

Penalty: Felix Rosenqvist will serve a drive thru penalty for contact in turn one.

Green, Palou leads Malukas and Kirkwood into turn one.

Lap 7, Kirkwood dives inside of Malukas into turn one. Kirkwood takes 2nd away.

Lap 21, Alexander Rossi is stalled and the caution is out. Multiple pit strategies are now in play.

Palou heads for the pit lane. Power is handed the lead as Palou restarts 19th.

Green, Power leads Malukas and Lundgaard. Felix Rosenqvist jumps over the top of Kyffin Simpson, caution.

Power pits from the lead with others. Malukas is handed the lead.

Green, Malukas leads Lunagaard into turn one.

Lap 48, Malukas and others head for the pit lane. Lundgaard pits the following lap. Malukas cycles out ahead. Malukas is saving fuel.

Lap 52, Power leads Malukas by 8 seconds.

Lap 63, Alex Palou pits for the final time from 5th.

20 to go, Lundgaard and many of the leaders dive for the pit lane. A lap later, Malukas heads for the pit lane.

Malukas cycles out ahead of Lundgaard. Lundgaard trails by 1.3 seconds.

18 to go, Lundgaard is all over the gearbox of the leader! Malukas blocks the inside into turn one. He misses a shift and Lundgaard pulls on the outside. They fight for space into turn four, Lundgaard to the lead!

8 to go, Lundgaard leads Malukas by 3 seconds. He’s driving away.