INDIANAPOLIS -
The Colts fired Head Coach Jim Caldwell on Tuesday, and his departure will be felt immediately by many in the community.
Jim Caldwell's foundation had an impact on Indianapolis in the past three years. The Caldwell Foundation opened the Project Phoenix learning center just three months ago.
The foundation provided computers and equipment for the center. It's used by students and the community.
"They came in and put new carpet on the floor. They even purchased pictures. We've got 20 new stations and a white board. You can literally take a field trip in here around the world. It's just that kind of place. It's just so wonderful to have it here," said Myron Richardson, Executive Director of the Flanner House.
Jim and Cheryl Caldwell created the Caldwell Foundation in 2009.
While Caldwell has his critics, some say his lack of emotion on the sideline made him seem disconnected, many of those critics never spent time with the now-former Colts coach like the Dew family.
"You could see the true...he cared, you know, he really cared," said Jason Dew.
Dew, his daughter Meggan and son Jordan were directly touched by the coach.
"It really was, I understand that it is a business, but it seemed there is a lot more, still a person, reaching out to, you know, all of the impact that he had," Dew said.
A few months ago, four-year-old Jordan was diagnosed with cancer. During one of his first treatments at Riley Hospital for Children, the boy had the full attention of Coach Caldwell.
"That Jim Caldwell really did have an impact on his journey through his treatments," Dew said.
The coach read to Jordan, went through the Basket of Hope that he and quarterback Dan Orlovsky delivered.
"You could definitely tell he was real. Became a person to Jordan," Dew said. "It is still a person, still a human being and he will always have an impact in our life, whether he is here or anywhere else."
As the rest of the sporting world pontificates on Caldwell, the Colts and the future of football in Indianapolis, "I'm actually a little surprised. I would have liked to have seen the Colts stick with him," a fan said.
With the Dew family, Coach Caldwell has at least three fans for life.
