The inspired story from Indianapolis

Yet another sign that I’ve been in America too long — now it’s an NFL coach giving me a lump in the throat.

On Sunday evening, the first images emerged from the Indianapolis Colts dressing room of an emaciated and clean shaven Chuck Pagano. His eyes were wide and the eyes of the players around him were partly dazed, partly teary.

He had just watched his Colts in the flesh for the first time since he was diagnosed with leukaemia over a month ago. They had beaten the Miami Dolphins and had, quite unbelievably, transformed themselves from last season’s worst team into contenders to make it through to the postseason this January.