Jim Corbett

USA TODAY Sports

INDIANAPOLIS — Emotions flowed from Indianapolis Colts owner Jim Irsay, coach Chuck Pagano and especially star receiver Reggie Wayne, who was in tears after his right knee shredded as he ran a routine route in last October's memorable defeat of Peyton Manning and the Denver Broncos.

"I didn't want to go out that way," Wayne told USA TODAY Sports on Friday. "I just wanted to make sure I went out with a fight. ... I told Chuck yesterday, 'This is one of the most talented teams I've been a part of. And we've had some good teams.

"I told him, 'I appreciate you allowing me this opportunity because we have something special a lot of teams don't — that fight, youth and depth.' "

Wayne was a key member of the Manning-led Colts that racked up more wins than any team in this century's opening decade. He caught Manning's lone touchdown pass in Indianapolis' Super Bowl XLI defeat of the Chicago Bears.

But the six-time Pro Bowler has been rejuvenated by his latest challenge. He leads the Colts (2-2) with 23 receptions for 307 yards and a touchdown. The 35-year-old receiver is an early frontrunner for comeback player of the year honors after working feverishly to show his career was far from over.

But if there was a silver lining to last year's season-ending injury, the league's active receiving leader found one.

"I really believe that my injury, as crazy as it sounds, was a blessing," Wayne said. "It was God's way of telling me I needed to rest. I was thinking when I got hurt, 'I don't get it. I've run that particular route a million times. Why this time?

"But I had gone 189 games in a row. ... I was able to let my body heal.

"Once I got my knee going, I felt like a new man — the best I've felt since I was a rookie in 2001."

Though quarterback Andrew Luck is fast maturing into one of the game's elite stars, Wayne remains the face of these Colts.

"Reggie is this organization," Pagano, whose relationship with Wayne goes back to their days together at the University of Miami (Fla.), told USA TODAY Sports. "Reggie is a pillar guy.

"He killed it in his rehab, worked his tail off to get back. He's stronger — in the best shape of his life. He's incredible."

And Wayne sure doesn't appear ready to pass the torch.

Luck knew Wayne was back to his Velcro-handed self one day during the middle of training camp.

"It was a third-down day, a high-energy day, and he kept converting third-downs. Classic Reggie — third-down he's open, in the red-zone he's open," Luck said. "He's always open in big-time situations.

"I knew that day, he was back rolling."

The Colts are rolling into Sunday's matchup with the Baltimore Ravens (3-1) on a two-game win streak.

Receiver Steve Smith Sr., defying age himself at 35, leads the Ravens with 25 receptions, 429 yards and three touchdowns.

Smith and Wayne entered the league together in 2001, Wayne as a first-rounder while Smith went to the Carolina Panthers in Round 3.

"Hopefully we can continue to give you all a show and not have to show you our AARP cards," Wayne said.

Last Sunday, Wayne joined Manning and Johnny Unitas as the only Colts to appear in 200 games with a seven-catch, 119-yard, one-touchdown effort in a win against the Tennessee Titans. His 1,029 catches stand seventh all-time behind only Jerry Rice (1,549), Tony Gonzalez (1,325), former teammate Marvin Harrison (1,102), Cris Carter (1,101), Tim Brown (1,094) and Terrell Owens (1,078). Wayne is 10th all-time with 13,873 receiving yards.

Colts general manager Ryan Grigson says what separates Wayne and linebacker Robert Mathis, two of just three holdovers from that Super Bowl championship team (kicker Adam Vinatieri is the third), is their dedication to greatness.

"In the cases of Reggie Wayne and Robert Mathis, these guys have iron wills," Grigson said. "You're talking about guys in the upper, upper echelon of loving the game, doing every little thing it takes to be great. It's their mindset, their demeanor,their body language.

"It's in everything they say, in every rep they take, running on the treadmill every day. That's why they're going to be in the Hall of Fame."

Wayne is more of a film junkie now, studying ways to find extra edges.

"I want my legacy to be that Reggie Wayne was a damn good teammate," he said.

What about another ring and a gold Hall of Fame blazer?

"That wouldn't be bad either," Wayne laughed.

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Follow Jim Corbett on Twitter @ByJimCorbett