INDIANAPOLIS -- After playing through a downpour in Miami and braving freezing temperatures for an Indianapolis parade, a little home comfort seemed to be just the thing for the NFL champion Indianapolis Colts.

So the Colts went home to the RCA Dome on Monday evening, and when tens of thousands of celebrating fans gave the Super Bowl champs the warmest of welcomes, Peyton Manning reciprocated.

"It sure feels good to be back here in this dome after playing in that weather last night, I can assure you. But all I really want to say is ... we want to thank the greatest fans in the world: the Indianapolis Colts fans," the star quarterback and Super Bowl MVP said to wild cheers.

The Colts, fresh off their 29-17 Super Bowl victory against the Chicago Bears, flew back to Indianapolis on Monday afternoon and, standing on floats open to the cold winter air, participated in a downtown parade before going to the dome rally.

The parade started about an hour late, with the team stopping at their training complex before going downtown. Players, clad in hooded sweatshirts topped by their blue jerseys, waved at and slapped hands with fans while passing through Monument Circle on their way to the dome.

Leading the parade was Colts owner Jim Irsay, holding the Lombardi Trophy while standing next to team president Bill Polian and head coach Tony Dungy.

At the dome, where people had waited up to four hours to see the rally, fans gave Dungy a minute-long ovation when he was introduced by Colts radio announcer Bob Lamey.

"We had a great team party last night, but we were really looking forward to this, to coming home and sharing this with you, and it's even more unbelievable than we could have expected," said Dungy, who won his first Super Bowl as a head coach Sunday.

Dungy told the crowd that when Irsay hired him five years ago, the two agreed to win a Super Bowl, and "win one the right way."

"We were going to win it with great guys, we were going to win it with class and dignity, and we were going to win it in a way that would make Indianapolis proud. And I think we've accomplished that," Dungy said.

Irsay talked similarly.

"I love the way that the Colts have won the world championship -- with class and grace -- and you know it's all for you guys," Irsay said to the fans.

Players took turns at the microphone in groups -- wide receivers with wide receivers, offensive linemen with offensive linemen, and so on.

At one point, the crowd started chanting "defense," and an assortment of linemen, linebackers and defensive backs stepped forward.

Jason David, Bob Sanders, Dwight Freeney and Cato June responded with a chant of their own.

"Repeat! Repeat!" they said into the microphone.

Freeney, the star defensive end, praised the fans and then celebrated the new esteem with which the Colts' defense has been held. The Colts had trouble stopping the run in the regular season, but the leaks were plugged in the postseason.

"(Nobody) talked anything about the defense all year. We've got a defense now, though," Freeney said to cheers.

Hunter Smith, the punter, brought a sense of humor to the mic when special teamers were introduced.

"(Long snapper) Justin Snow is the greatest ever at what he does, (kicker) Adam Vinatieri is the greatest ever at what he does, and I would like to thank Peyton Manning and our offense for making me the least-used person in my position in the history of the game," Smith said.