Ailing Colts coach Chuck Pagano e-mails team

Colts coach Chuck Pagano, who was diagnosed last week with leukemia, sent an emotional e-mail to his team as it prepared to take on the Packers on Sunday.

“My condition will not determine my position. I understand the condition but choose to focus on my position. That is to stay positive and serve,” wrote Pagano in the e-mail, published on NFL.com. “We will, we can, we must. We have no choice. By any means necessary. We will overcome. It’s all in the proper state of mind.”

The Colts did, in fact, overcome with a comeback victory against the Packers after an 18-point deficit. A 4-yard touchdown from quarterback Andrew Luck to receiver Reggie Wayne capped the victory for the Colts.

Colts linebacker Dwight Freeney described how emotional things were this week with the big win while the team’s coach was in the hospital.

“It means a lot across the board. He’s not just a coach; he’s a family member,” Freeney said on Monday’s ESPN SportsCenter. “And that’s the kind of culture we have around our building. When one hurts, we all hurt.”

Pagano will continue to undergo treatment and is out indefinitely. Bruce Arians, the team’s offensive coordinator, will serve as interim head coach.

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