Anthony Richardson is the second-year quarterback for the Indianapolis Colts. The 22-year-old didn’t get a lot of playing time as a rookie as he suffered injuries in Week 2 (which kept him out the following week) and Week 5 (which ended his season).

His intriguing mix of throwing and running ability − and a breakaway threat at running back in Jonathan Taylor − has Colts coach Shane Steichen creating a scheme that opposing defense won’t be able to deal with. However, injuries have interrupted Richardson throughout his career and his completion percentage at all levels has been low by today’s standards.

The Colts narrowly missed winning the AFC South in 2023 and they are eager to challenge for the playoffs with a full year of Richardson behind center.

When was Anthony Richardson drafted?

The Colts selected No. 4 overall in the 2023 NFL Draft.

He was the third quarterback selected. The Carolina Panthers picked Alabama’s Bryce Young first overall, and the Houston Texans picked Ohio State’s C.J. Stroud second. Houston also had the No. 3 pick and took Alabama linebacker Will Anderson Jr.

Colts owner Jim Irsay said a few days after the draft that had Young, Stroud and Richardson been taken in the top three, the Colts would have selected former Kentucky quarterback Will Levis at No. 4. The Tennessee Titans took him with the first pick in the second round, No. 33 overall.

Anthony Richardson’s contract

Richardson has a four-year, $34 million rookie contract, according to Spotrac, all of it guaranteed from 2023-26. The Colts hold an option for the 2027 season.

Here is how much Richardson counts toward the Colts’ salary cap through 2026:

2022: $6.18 million

2024: $7.73 million, 24th among NFL QBs this season

2025: $9.27 million

2026: $10.82 million

Anthony Richardson back tattoo

Richardson went all in on a back tattoo: His last name, the NFL logo, four aces, a roulette wheel, a lion, a cross, a Spartan warriors. And there’s plenty of ink on his arms, too.

The second-year player said he spent much of 7 hours sedated while getting full back artwork during the offseason. The tat includes his last name, the NFL shield, a lion’s face, four aces and much more.

Richardson said he got hassled a little for going under sedation. However: “I’ve been getting tattoos since I was 13, so I did my time there.”

Richardson told Pat McAfee earlier this week that he has space for a Lombardi trophy tattoo, for when the Colts win the Super Bowl.

Richardson’s first tattoo? Praying hands, done by an uncle in his living room. (Richardson said his uncle is a tattoo artist.)

INDIANAPOLIS — The numbers are in, and the Indianapolis Airport Authority is reporting record-breaking passenger traffic for the first half of 2024.

According to reports, more than 5.2 million people traveled through the Indianapolis International Airport from January through June.

“First and second quarter data show us that we’re tracking at 10-percent higher in passenger travel than in 2023 and 2019,” said Mario Rodriguez, IAA executive director. “In fact, five out of the 10 busiest days in the airport’s history have occurred in 2024 so far, and four were from 2023.”

At the beginning of the year, much of the traffic was driven by the NBA All-Star game in February and a busy Spring Break travel season.

The airport says March 2024 was IND’s busiest month of all time, with a total of 967,597 passengers.

May kicked off the summer travel season with a 12 percent increase in traffic compared to 2023. More than 967,360 passengers made it the second-busiest month of all time. The days surrounding the Indianapolis 500 had the most traffic.

However, June takes IND’s busiest-month ever title, with 995,139 total passengers. The numbers were boosted by the Olympic hopefuls and swimming fans that visited for the Olympic Swim Trials.

The top three busiest months of all time at IND are now June, March, and May 2024.

“We’re confident the Indy airport will hit double digits with a record 10 million total passengers for the year,” said Rodriguez. “The real question is when it will happen.”

Indy airport officials say they are preparing for another record-breaking Fall Break travel season and holiday travel to cap off 2024.

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Tickets that cost zero dollars are always popular, and Indianapolis artists are generous enough to share their talent for free at several events throughout the fall.

Museums will welcome crowds to see their collections and engage in hands-on activities. Monument Circle will continue to invite everyone to a pop-up mini-park to check out a mobile art museum, play ping-pong and other games, and eat snacks. And world-class musicians will regale listeners at concerts full of music they’ve spent years perfecting.

Here are eight free events you won’t want to miss. Make sure to register in advance for those that request it and donate if you can to keep the art coming.

PlayFest Indy

Sept. 9 to 15 at multiple venues. Tickets and more information at newharmonyproject.org/pfi

In this initiative by the New Harmony Project, eight playwrights will develop plays with Indianapolis theater companies. The public concert-style readings will take place from Sept. 13 to 15, and audiences can stay for a post-performance talk with the writer at each one.

Levitt Vibe Indianapolis Music Series

Several Sundays from Sept. 1-Oct. 20 on the lawn behind Garfield Park Art Center,  2432 Conservatory Drive. Schedule at bigcar.org/project/vibe

A group of creative folks — including Arte Mexicano en Indiana and Big Car Collaborative — are bringing in musicians, vendors, artists and poets for afternoon concerts that will fend off any Sunday scaries. The events aim to be family friendly and neighborly as they use a part of the park you might not have explored before.

Free museum days

Explore exhibits, gardens and activities as these Indianapolis museums offer free admission:

• The Children’s Museum of Indianapolis: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sept. 15. 3000 N. Meridian St. Fiesta de la Familia is a celebration of Latin American cultures, with special programming throughout the museum. Reservation is required at childrensmuseum.org.
• Newfields: 4000 N. Michigan Road. Admission is free during regular operating hours on the first Thursday of every month, Sept. 5, Oct. 3, Nov. 7 and Dec. 5. Reservation is required at discovernewfields.org/visit. Bank of America, Merrill Lynch and U.S. Trust cardholders receive one free general admission ticket during the first weekend of every month. Learn more at discovernewfields.org/about/community.
• Eiteljorg Museum: 500 W. Washington St. On Oct. 14, the museum will mark Indigenous Peoples Day by featuring Native American performers and presentations. On Oct. 26, the museum will feature music, dancing, activities and a marketplace as part of its Día de Muertos Community Celebration. Admission is free both days. Learn more at eiteljorg.org.

Spark on the Circle

11 a.m. through dusk through Nov. 3 on Monument Circle. circlespark.org

Back in an expanded role for its second year, Spark temporarily transforms one quadrant of Monument Circle into an urban park — complete with turf, yard games and plenty of space to lounge and enjoy the city’s vibes. See a full schedule of artist workshops and special events at circlespark.org. (Swifties should keep an eye out for announcements regarding celebrations planned during Taylor Swift’s Nov. 1-3 stop in Indy!)

Jazz afterparty on First Fridays

9 p.m. on First Fridays at McGowan Hall, 1305 N. Delaware St. mcgowanhall.org

These jam sessions, led by pianist Christopher Pitts, have a vibe that mixes talented musicians, inventive experimentation and a speakeasy feel. They’re the perfect way to wrap your First Friday visual art explorations.

Can’t-miss exhibit: Mandela exhibit at Children’s Museum takes care to connect kids with his childhood

Indianapolis Chamber Orchestra

7:30 p.m. Sept. 4 at Garfield Park. 7:30 p.m. Sept. 5 at Riverside Park. 7 p.m. Sept. 6 at Holliday Park. Registration requested for the events at icomusic.org.

Enjoy classic programs from a stunning group of musicians who are trading the indoor concert hall for three verdant parks. Bring a picnic and blanket and let the music waft over you.

Opera in the Park

Sept. 7 at MacAllister Amphitheater at Garfield Park. Register at indyopera.org.

Renowned soprano Angela Brown, Maestro Alfred Savia, and more Indianapolis Opera stars and guests will perform in the annual event that will kick off the institution’s 50th anniversary season.

Indy Parks Free Concert Series

Through October at parks around the city. parks.indy.gov/free-concert-series

Cathy Morris, the Indianapolis Jazz Orchestra, PsyWrn Simone and Premium Blend are among the performers who will lend soundtracks to breezy summer and fall evenings. Check the schedule often as Indy Parks adds more dates.

Contact IndyStar pop culture reporter Holly Hays at holly.hays@indystar.com.

Contact IndyStar reporter Domenica Bongiovanni at 317-444-7339 or d.bongiovanni@indystar.com.