Published: August 14, 2008 11:54 pm         

Signature look: Colts fan wants tattoo autographs of Indy’s Super Bowl champs

Wife thinks he's 'nuts'

TERRE HAUTE — Matt Ellis is bringing new meaning to bleeding blue.

The 37-year-old Indianapolis Colts fan from Auburn spent last week at camp doing what many campgoers do — watch practices, take pictures and get autographs – but it was where he was getting the autographs that differed.

Ellis collected 11 autographs, mostly on his legs, and it wasn’t because he didn’t have anything better for the players to sign. After getting his body signed, Ellis returned home to have the signatures tattooed to his body.

He now carries the signatures of 18 players and coach Tony Dungy, but his goal is to have the entire 2006 Super Bowl winning team. He has 36 signatures left to obtain, 15 of those from players on the current roster.

“They’re pretty willing,” Ellis said about the players signing his arms or legs. “They don’t say a whole lot because they are busy signing other autographs, but hopefully, they’re going back to the locker room and talking about me,” so that the other players won’t be hesitant to sign him.

Craig Kelley, vice president of public relations for the Colts, said the players do notice what their fans do for them.

“We’re certainly deeply appreciative of all of our fans,” he said, “and certainly through the years we’ve seen a lot of different forms of expression and this is one that’s very unique and certainly shows the level of dedication this fan has for our players and this organization.”

Because Ellis stayed in Terre Haute all week last week, showering was a bit of a challenge, he said. One night, he took a shower with his leg hanging out of tub, he said.

By Friday, Ellis was down to a rag and water bath from the sink and sticking his head in the sink to wash his hair until Saturday, when he could make his autographs permanent, he said.

This was his second year at camp. Last year, he was able to attend only four practices. Now, he said he and his family plan to make a week at Colts’ camp an annual event.

Some people may think Ellis’ hobby is a bit obsessive, and Ellis knows that, but said it’s not obsessive to him because “it’s all in good fun.”

“I can point to any one of them and picture the moment I got them,” he said.

It started in May 2007 when Ellis was in Fort Wayne and punter Hunter Smith was doing a concert. Ellis didn’t really have anything for him to sign and his wife jokingly suggested his leg, he said.

“She thinks I’m nuts,” Ellis said about his wife. “She thinks they’re cool, but I’m nuts on the extent I’ll go to [to get autographs].”

Smith didn’t believe him when Ellis told him he would have the signature turned into a tattoo, Ellis said, until he saw him play again and was able to show him the tattoo.

Should the Colts win another title, Ellis said he’s not sure if he would have room to add the other players. After he gets all the players, he plans to put a Super Bowl emblem on his chest, though he’s not sure how long it’s going to take to obtain all the signatures, he said.

“The whole reason I’m doing this is they’ve been talking about making it personal for all of us fans,” Ellis said, “and now I’m making it personal back to them.”

Crystal Garcia can be reached at (812) 231-4271 or crystal.garcia@tribstar.com.