Meet the Indianapolis Colts superfans spreading joy and awareness

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For one Indiana father and son, the Indianapolis Colts are more than just a football team.

The superfan pair, self-named LuchaBlue, consists of dad Eli Otero Jr. and 17-year-old son Eli Otero III. Otero III was born with a rare disorder called Alagille syndrome. The disorder affects a patient’s liver. In Otero III’s case, he required a liver transplant, which he received in 2020.

Originally from Hobart, now Valparaiso, the Otero's were consistently driving back and forth from Indianapolis from the time Eli Otero III was born for hospital visits.

“Our insurance only paid for Riley, so we had to drive,” Otero Jr. said. “We had no choice.”

Constantly in Indianapolis, the Otero's were always looking for something to do. As a lifelong Indianapolis Colts fan, Otero Jr. began taking his son to Colts-related events. Otero III still remembers meeting his first superfan and getting inspired.

“I was like, ‘Dad, why can't we do that?’, you know,’” Otero III said. “‘Why can't we dress up like that and make fans happy and stuff?’”

From there, LuchaBlue was born. The name is inspired by Mexican wrestlers, called luchadores, and the Colts’ mascot, Blue. Dressing up and attending Indianapolis Colts games and events became a distraction from the constant doctor visits.

“It took him out of his slump, if that makes sense, because you know, we’re going to Indy,” Otero Jr. said. “We got to see the doctors all the time. You got to get poked. You got to stay there sometimes. But we made it to where it was so fun.”

Now, the superfans use their costumes to both spread joy to fans and raise awareness for Alagille syndrome and other causes. Most recently, the Otero's handed out stickers in support of Transplant Teenz, a non-profit that provides peer support for children who receive organ transplants.

“If we can make a difference doing this too, let's do it,” Otero Jr. said. “Why not?”

This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Meet the Indianapolis Colts superfans spreading joy and awareness

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