Indianapolis Colts quarterback Peyton Manning has millions in the bank, a Super Bowl victory and a legion of fans.

But even he wasn’t the luckiest man at Lucas Oil Stadium last Sunday. That honor was reserved for Orangeburg’s own Mac Boland.

In the span of a few hours, the Orangeburg Prep second-grader got to hold the Vince Lombardi Trophy, play Twister with Colts cheerleaders and serve as honorary junior mascot on the sidelines.

Not a bad outing for his first NFL game.

“It was really fun,” Mac said. “I’ve never been that close to the sidelines at any game.”

He played the role of Junior Blue, a smaller version of the Colts’ mascot, Blue. The large crowd there responded to him, Mac said. Apparently, the Colts responded to him as well, winning the game 34-17 over the Seattle Seahawks.

Mac’s father, Trip, said his favorite part of the eventful weekend – which included a 10-1/2 hour drive both ways – was seeing Mac’s name on the Jumbotron.

“It was so cool to see and hear the PA announcer announce Mac Boland as Junior Blue,” Trip said. “That was a proud moment as a dad.”

Mac, 7, also said he made friends with some Colts cheerleaders. Before hitting the field, he got to hold the Vince Lombardi Trophy, which was awarded to the Colts after the team won Super Bowl XLI in 2007.

“It was pretty cool,” Mac said. “I just couldn’t believe I got to hold it and take pictures with it.”

Back home in Orangeburg, his mother, Leigh, wanted to watch the game but local television stations chose not to air it. She said Mac got the opportunity to be Junior Blue because of a family friend.

On game day, she asked Trip to send her pictures. Trip sent her a picture of Mac with the Lombardi Trophy via his cell phone.

“That was very exciting,” Leigh said.

Trip said holding the trophy was a once-in-a-lifetime experience.

But Mac feels he may get to hold the trophy again. He has gridiron aspirations of his own. He wants to play quarterback for the Dallas Cowboys and win a Super Bowl himself one day.

His favorite player now is Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo.

The young signal caller is already throwing the football to his father in their backyard.

“He has a very tight spiral. He’s got a good throw,” Trip said. “He can kick the ball pretty good, too.”

T&D Staff Writer Lee Tant can be reached by e-mail at ltant@timesanddemocrat.com or by phone at 803-534-1060. Discuss this and other stories at TheTandD.com.

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