January 17, 2004
QUINCY, Mass. (AP) -- Indianapolis wide receiver Brandon Stokley arrived near Boston with his teammates Saturday, four days after his infant son was hospitalized with an undisclosed illness.
Players and team officials were cordoned off from reporters in the team's hotel lobby and did not take questions.
Colts coach Tony Dungy didn't know until Friday whether Stokley would play Sunday in New England (15-2).
The Advertiser, a newspaper in Lafayette, La., quoted Brandon Stokley's parents as saying their grandson, Cameron, is ill with meningitis -- a potentially fatal inflammation of the lining around the brain and spinal cord.
Stokley, who has three touchdown catches in the Colts' two playoff victories, missed practice Wednesday, returned for about half of the two-hour practice Thursday afternoon and worked out with his teammates Friday.
Dungy had said he would let Stokley decide whether to play, explaining that family matters took precedence. The Colts also have been working on contingency plans in case Stokley has to return to Indianapolis quickly if his son's condition worsens.
If Stokley does not play Sunday, he would likely be replaced by Troy Walters.
Stokley signed a few autographs and acknowledged the few dozen onlookers who were waiting for the Colts in the team's lobby.
Stokley's wife, Lana, gave birth to their son Dec. 16.
The Colts (14-4) are playing in their first conference title game since the 1995 season, and Stokley has been one of the major reasons. In the Colts' last five games, Stokley has 25 catches for 368 yards, second only to five-time Pro Bowl selection Marvin Harrison during that span, and a team-leading six touchdowns.
QUINCY, Mass. (AP) -- Indianapolis wide receiver Brandon Stokley arrived near Boston with his teammates Saturday, four days after his infant son was hospitalized with an undisclosed illness.
Players and team officials were cordoned off from reporters in the team's hotel lobby and did not take questions.
Colts coach Tony Dungy didn't know until Friday whether Stokley would play Sunday in New England (15-2).
The Advertiser, a newspaper in Lafayette, La., quoted Brandon Stokley's parents as saying their grandson, Cameron, is ill with meningitis -- a potentially fatal inflammation of the lining around the brain and spinal cord.
Stokley, who has three touchdown catches in the Colts' two playoff victories, missed practice Wednesday, returned for about half of the two-hour practice Thursday afternoon and worked out with his teammates Friday.
Dungy had said he would let Stokley decide whether to play, explaining that family matters took precedence. The Colts also have been working on contingency plans in case Stokley has to return to Indianapolis quickly if his son's condition worsens.
If Stokley does not play Sunday, he would likely be replaced by Troy Walters.
Stokley signed a few autographs and acknowledged the few dozen onlookers who were waiting for the Colts in the team's lobby.
Stokley's wife, Lana, gave birth to their son Dec. 16.
The Colts (14-4) are playing in their first conference title game since the 1995 season, and Stokley has been one of the major reasons. In the Colts' last five games, Stokley has 25 catches for 368 yards, second only to five-time Pro Bowl selection Marvin Harrison during that span, and a team-leading six touchdowns.
