Colts' chaplain resigns, reflects on six seasons: 'You learn that they're still human'

INDIANAPOLIS -- Sunday morning, as the masses gathered in church and Indianapolis Colts fans woke up from a dismal Saturday night ending to their season, the team's Catholic chaplain Father Douglas Hunter announced he had submitted his resignation letter.

Hunter, a former IMPD officer-turned priest, spent the past six seasons alongside the team's Protestant chaplain, catering to Catholic players and staff, but being there for any player or staff who needed him.

He listened to confessions, baptized players' babies, prayed with players through tough and, sometimes, traumatic life experiences. He said mass before every home game and traveled with the team when possible. He was on the practice field, on the game field, in the locker room praying before games, during games and after games.

"Hey, you're the Colts priest, aren't you?" people would walk up and say to Hunter. Of course, he was. He kind of stood out, a 6-4 guy on the field wearing a priestly collar.

"Dear Colts Nation, with a heavy heart, I've submitted a resignation letter as the Catholic Chaplain for the Indianapolis Colts," Hunter posted to X Sunday. "After much prayerful consideration, it is time for me to step down from this role.

His announcement received many responses of thanks and well wishes but, of course, the timing prompted a few quips.

"I'd quit after that play, too" wrote Jarrod Crouch, to which Hunter responded, "Now, now."

Of course, Hunter didn't resign because of coach Shane Steichen's final play call -- taking Jonathan Taylor out for the fourth-and-1 from Houston's 15-yard line, leaving quarterback Gardner Minshew throwing to Tyler Goodson, a play that ended in a dropped ball and Texans victory, sending them to the playoffs and the Colts out.

While he greatly enjoyed his time with the team, Hunter told IndyStar on Tuesday that his full-time job is growing. His parish is growing. Hunter is also pastor of Saint Roch Catholic Church and School on the south side.

"And my body says we need to slow down," he said. "And it was moreso just it's time for a young person to take over. With (the Colts') rigorous schedule, it was getting hard to keep up."

When Hunter was hired by Colts general manager Chris Ballard in 2018, he made his priorities clear. "Well church comes first," Hunter told IndyStar at the time. "Then Colts will come secondary."

"Through our time together, I have witnessed the power of faith in action. I have seen players turn to prayer and reflection in times of triumph and adversity and have been humbled by their commitment to living out their faith in all aspects of their lives," Hunter posted to X. "While I will miss my role with the Colts, I am excited to see where God takes me next."

The Colts released a statement on Hunter's resignation: “Father Hunter has been a fantastic counselor, mentor and friend, and we can’t thank him enough for his time and dedication to our players, coaches and staff.  We’ll miss seeing him around our facility, but we know he will continue to do wonderful things in the church and throughout our entire community.”

'God wouldn't leave me alone'

Being the chaplain of an NFL team was never something Hunter could have imagined, even in his wildest dreams. He grew up in the Catholic church with his late mother, Hattie Williams, who was extremely religious as was his late father, Douglas Hunter, Sr.

By the time he was in fourth grade, Hunter began serving altar in church, played a little football in fifth and sixth grade and eventually became a self-proclaimed "band geek," playing trombone, baritone and tuba at Cardinal Ritter High, where he graduated in 1997.

What he dreamed of after high school was being rich and famous, driving fancy cars. But all the while, he said God was sitting on his shoulder, nudging him to pursue a religious career. Hunter wasn't ready for that, yet.

First, Hunter worked as a deputy for the Marion County Sheriff’s Department for eight years, then at the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department for two years. During his time at IMPD, he helped oversee the crime prevention and youth education programs. He started doing photography and owned a couple businesses.

“I had a house, I had a girlfriend, I had couple of dogs, cars — things were set,” said Hunter. “I was doing what I wanted to do, staying out of trouble, everybody loved me.

"But God wouldn't leave me alone."

In 2005, he enrolled at Marian University, and earned his degree in 2009. Then he entered St. Meinrad Seminary School of Theology and was ordained a priest in 2017.

Not long after, Hunter got a phone call out of the blue from the late Father Glenn O'Connor, known as the Priest in the Pits as the Catholic chaplain for IndyCar.

"He called me and said, 'Hey, the Colts are looking for a chaplain. Are you interested?'" said Hunter. He sure was. Later that day, he met with Ballard in person. The two hit it off and Hunter joined the Colts for the 2018 season.

Hunter said what he will miss most is not the bright lights of the NFL or his high-profile post as the Colts priest.

"Just hanging out with some of the players who you get to know on a regular basis, learning about their lives," he said. "Even though they are in the spotlight, on the gridiron, big strong men, you learn that they're still human."

Follow IndyStar sports reporter Dana Benbow on X: @DanaBenbow. Reach her via email: dbenbow@indystar.com.