Indianapolis Colts general manager Chris Ballard appears to be a big believer in second chances.
The Colts granted Keenan Allen such a chance when the team decided not to cut the veteran wide receiver after he was arrested over two misdemeanor drunken-driving charges. Allen was taken into custody by the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department in the wee hours of Sunday morning, less than 12 hours after making his preseason debut with the Colts. You can read more about Allen’s arrest here.
During a press conference held Tuesday, Ballard was asked about Indy sticking with Allen amid the off-field incident.
“Good people make mistakes, okay?” Ballard told reporters. “14 years in the league and no issues. Decorated career. Decorated teammate.”
Ballard cited Allen’s relationship with Philip Rivers, who previously played with the veteran wideout on the Los Angeles Chargers. He added that Rivers holds Allen in “extremely high regard” following their time as teammates from 2013 to 2019.
Allen also played under Colts head coach Shane Steichen, when he served as the Chargers’ offensive coordinator from 2019 to 2020.
Ballard knows what it’s like to be given some leeway, as the Colts have stood by him despite a relative lack of on-field success since he took over as GM in 2021. It’s gotten to the point that Ballard felt the need to put himself on the hot seat heading into next season.
