Colts' coach Chuch Pagano: 'Cancer taught me to be thankful for today'
Indianapolis Colts head coach Chuck Pagano said at a news conference Friday his focus is on the upcoming 2015 NFL draft and not his current contract situation, the Indianapolis Star tweeted.
"Be where your feet are. What do I mean? Cancer taught me to be thankful for today," Pagano said.
Pagano's response comes one day after the Colts declined to extend his current four-year contract, NFL Network's Ian Rapoport reported Thursday.
• Irsay: Andrew Luck contract talks will wait until next year
In what could portend well for Pagano, Colts owner Jim Irsay said the team does not plan on giving star quarterback Andrew Lucka contract extension until after the 2015 season is over. Luck, like Pagano, is under contract for 2015.
Pagano was diagnosed in 2012 with leukemia and missed time on the sideline during the season.
Indianapolis has finished 11-5 in each of the first three years of Pagano's contract, making the playoffs each year and advancing in 2014 to the AFC Championship.
In 2011 the team went 2-14.
- Will Green
