ATLANTIC CITY, N.J. — The tale of Colts coach Chuck Pagano is about relationships and faith, about how the former bred the latter and helped him beat cancer.
“Chuckstrong” is a tale of triumph, how Pagano took a leave of absence after being diagnosed with leukemia and made an emotional return following three months of treatment to lead the Colts to an unexpected AFC playoff berth after a surprising 11-5 season. And how he was honored on Friday by the Maxwell Football Club with the Greasy Neale Pro Football Coach of the Year Award.
“You don’t have a lot of time for pity parties,” Pagano told The Post. “You’ve got to get focused and get your mind right, say, ‘I’m going to beat this.’ I’ve got three girls and a wife depending on me, so I’ve got to be there. It’s all a mindset. You have to take this thing head on. … I can’t take a day for granted. I feel very fortunate to be standing here today.
“This is about relationships, it’s about family, it’s about faith. It puts things in perspective. When Dr. Larry Cripe told me what I had, the first thing you think about is your family. I’ve got three daughters and I was worried about how they were going to be. So it puts things in perspective and makes you realize just how precious life is.’’
Diagnosed with leukemia in late September, Pagano, 52, immediately took a leave of absence to undergo chemotherapy treatments. He talked to The Post not about how grueling the chemo was, but how tough it was to be in a hospital bed for 25 days away from doing what he loves, having to watch games from the hospital and then later at home with his wife, Tina.
“Circumstances don’t make you, they reveal you: And what was revealed to me, 24 years ago, the very best day of my life was the day I married my wife Tina Pagano,’’ Pagano said later at the Maxwell Award banquet. “What you’ve done, I can never repay you. You’re my soul mate, my best friend. [For] 25 days in Simon Cancer Center, you never left my side. Thank you.’’
From the first game he missed to the first game of his comeback, he claims the fight his Colts showed — with seven fourth-quarter comebacks in the dozen weeks he missed — actually gave him strength.
“I’m standing here today because I watched that team fight and show perseverance week after week. Just watching them compete inspired me,’’ Pagano said.
The first rally came in their first game without him, fighting back from a 21-3 halftime deficit to beat the Packers. Veteran Reggie Wayne, whom Pagano had talked into returning to the Colts, had 13 catches for 212 yards and the winning touchdown.
“When Reggie scored that touchdown,’’ Pagano said, pausing as he choked up, “it was very emotional. Me and my wife embraced. To see that scene in the locker room … then Mr. [Jim] Irsay came up to the hospital and brought a game ball. It was just … it was one of those moments you’ll never forget for the rest of your life.’’
Then-offensive coordinator Bruce Arians — now the head coach of the Cardinals — did a stellar job as interim, winning nine of the dozen games Pagano missed and winning co-Coach of the Year. Pagano made his emotional return on Christmas Eve, and beat the Texans in the regular-season finale.
“We know what football means as far as building leaders,” said Ex-Eagles quarterback and Maxwell president Ron Jaworski. “We all know by the example Chuck Pagano set this year, what football teaches us: a lot of life lessons.”
And Pagano said football — both coaching it and even growing up in a football family — gave him the training he needed on how to deal with adversity.
“It’s like getting hit across the head with a baseball bat, initially,” Pagano said. “You’re like, ‘Why?’ But … It’s not time for me to check out.’’