Highlights
The Baltimore Colts were an NFL franchise from 1953-1983, winning three NFL titles and a Super Bowl. Quarterback John Unitas, the face of the franchise, took the field for injured starter George Shaw in 1956. He led the Colts to a .500 record the rest of that season and would go on to become a Hall of Famer and one of the city's most beloved athletes of all-time. In 1958, the Colts defeated the Giants at Yankee Stadium in what became known as "The Greatest Game Ever Played." The game boosted the NFL's popularity, due largely to the fact that it was broadcast to a national television audience. Running back Alan Ameche scored from 1 yard out to give the Colts a 23-17 win in the first overtime...
The Baltimore Colts were an NFL franchise from 1953-1983, winning three NFL titles and a Super Bowl. Quarterback John Unitas, the face of the franchise, took the field for injured starter George Shaw in 1956. He led the Colts to a .500 record the rest of that season and would go on to become a Hall of Famer and one of the city's most beloved athletes of all-time. In 1958, the Colts defeated the Giants at Yankee Stadium in what became known as "The Greatest Game Ever Played." The game boosted the NFL's popularity, due largely to the fact that it was broadcast to a national television audience. Running back Alan Ameche scored from 1 yard out to give the Colts a 23-17 win in the first overtime game ever and their first championship. The Colts found themselves in a familiar spot in 1959, facing the Giants again in the NFL championship game, which was played at Memorial Stadium this time. New York took a 9-7 lead, but Unitas led the Colts to 24 fourth-quarter points and a 31-16 victory for their second straight title. Weeb Ewbank coached the Colts from 1954-1962. The franchise's first owner was Carroll Rosenbloom. After the Colts finished 7-7 in 1962, Ewbank was fired and Don Shula was brought in. Shula helped the Colts to a 12-2 record in 1964, and Unitas was named the league's Most Valuable Player. But the Colts lost to the Cleveland Browns in the NFL championship game. The Colts played in Super Bowl III in 1968 behind quarterback Earl Morall, who won the MVP filling in for an injured Unitas. However, they were defeated by quarterback Joe Namath, former Colts coach Ewbank and the Jets in what some consider the biggest upset in NFL history. The Colts were shifted to the AFC in 1970 as part of the NFL-AFL merger. They advanced to the Super Bowl for the second time in three years and won this time, defeating the Dallas Cowboys for the championship. In 1972, the Colts had their first losing record since 1955, and Unitas was traded after the season. The Colts won three straight AFC East titles from 1975-1977 under Ted Marchibroda. The franchise selected future Hall of Fame quarterback John Elway with the first pick in the 1983 draft, but he refused to join the team. The Colts played their final game in Baltimore on Dec. 18, 1983. Owner Robert Irsay, who took over the team in 1972, began to think about moving the Colts to another city in the offseason because of poor attendance and an aging Memorial Stadium. The Maryland legislature tried to use eminent domain laws to keep the team in Baltimore, so Irsay used now infamous Mayflower vans to take the team to Indianapolis in the middle of the night. Colts fans woke up the next morning without a football team. The Indianapolis team kept the Colts' records, uniforms and logo, which angers Baltimore fans to this day. Baltimore was without a professional football team until 1996 when the Ravens arrived. The original Baltimore Colts played in Baltimore from 1947-1950 as part of the All-America Football Conference. The following players have had their numbers retired: Unitas, Buddy Young, Lenny Moore, Art Donovan, Jim Parker, Raymond Berry and Gino Marchetti.
Displaying items 1-12 of 957
» View baltimoresun.com items only
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11-20
•
Next >
-
Browns' problems bad news for Ravens
O, by the WayThe Cleveland Browns are not-so-slowly sinking into the sunset and it's not good news for the Ravens. The 4-7 Browns have games remaining with two teams that the Ravens are battling for the playoffs -- perhaps the two most critical......Tags: Cleveland Browns, Pittsburgh Steelers, Derek Anderson, National Football League
-
Brackett likely scratch vs. Bengals
Colts coach Tony Dungy says it's unlikely middle linebacker Gary Brackett will play Sunday against Cincinnati. Brackett, the team's defensive captain, was taken off the field on a cart with what was first thought an ankle injury during Sunday's game... -
New Steel Curtain? Steelers setting the gold standard for NFL defenses
AP Sports WriterPITTSBURGH (AP) _ Fittingly enough for a team that wears the color predominantly on its uniforms, but the Pittsburgh Steelers are the new gold standard for NFL defenses. The cast of characters has shifted from Mean Joe Greene, Jack Lambert and Mel Blount...Tags: Joe Greene, Pittsburgh Steelers, Philadelphia Eagles, Aaron Smith, New York Giants
-
GOLDBERG ON FOOTBALL: Some teams will make playoffs, but advancing is another problem
AP Football WriterThe New York Jets still lead the AFC East and are likely to win it. But a team that a week ago was being put in a New York-New York Super Bowl by the local tabloids is now being buried, replaced on the front and back pages by a receiver on the other...Tags: Pittsburgh Steelers, New York Jets, Peyton Manning, New York Giants, Brett Favre
-
Mathis, Freeney provide stability on Colts defense
AP Sports WriterDwight Freeney and Robert Mathis can deliver knockout punches faster than anyone on Indianapolis' defense. Using speed and leverage to get past much larger offensive linemen, they schedule regular meetings in opposing backfields and routinely turn...Tags: Injuries, Peyton Manning, Derek Anderson, National Football League, Marvin Harrison
-
NFL Briefs
Dallas linebacker DeMarcus Ware and running back Marion Barber were not at practice Monday, the first time the Cowboys were back on the field since both were hurt Thanksgiving Day. Coach Wade Phillips said both were "day to day." Ware, the NFL sacks...Tags: Detroit Lions, Injuries, Lovie Smith, Dusty Dvoracek, Tommie Harris
-
Burress to plead not guilty to gun charge, lawyer says
From Sun news servicesPlaxico Burress (right) plans to turn himself in to police this morning in New York City and plead not guilty to criminal possession of a weapon, his lawyer said. Benjamin Brafman wrote in an e-mail to the Associated Press yesterday that he was advised...Tags: Injuries, Trials, P. Diddy, Gun Control, Lawyers
-
Dolphins coach: Not looking ahead a 'ridiculous statement'
Associated Press WriterFor the Miami Dolphins, the improbable has become awfully hard to ignore. The Dolphins, who set a dismal franchise record by going 1-15 last season and haven't reached the postseason since 2001, are now toying with the possibility of a playoff...Tags: Injuries, Major League Baseball, New York Jets, Buffalo Bills, New England Patriots
-
Sunday's stars
Passing • Eli Manning, Giants, was 21-for-34 for 305 yards, his first 300-yard game of the season, in New York's 23-7 win over Washington. • Jay Cutler, Broncos, passed for 357 yards and two touchdowns in Denver's 34-17 win over the Jets. • Rookie...Tags: Pittsburgh Steelers, Major League Baseball, New York Jets, Eli Manning, Michael Turner
-
Flashback -- Dec. 1, 2008
DEC. 1 1988 -- Liberty grad Mitch Lukevics is named director of minor league operations for the New York Yankees. 1973 -- Western Kentucky spoils Lehigh's first postseason appearance when the Hilltoppers overcome an early 10-0 deficit to beat the...Tags: National Collegiate Athletic Association, New York Yankees, Major League Baseball, Darrelle Revis
-
Road teams dominate in NFL action, with Steelers, Broncos and Panthers among 10 winners
The holiday weekend was a good time for a road trip. If winning away from home is a predictor of playoff success, count Pittsburgh, Denver and Carolina among the contenders. The Steelers and Broncos ignored wicked weather conditions in impressive...Tags: Injuries, Joe Nedney, Major League Baseball, New York Jets, Mike Singletary
-
Colts top hurting Browns 10-6 for 5th straight win
AP Sports WriterHis season as good as over, his career in Cleveland probably finished as well, Derek Anderson draped his arms over the trainers' shoulders and was helped to the sideline. Anderson winced as the searing pain in his left knee intensified, and if that...Tags: Phil Dawson, Indianapolis Colts, Injuries, Peyton Manning, Adam Vinatieri
Dec 1, 2008
|Blog| Baltimore Sun
Dec 1, 2008
|Story| Associated Press
Dec 1, 2008
|Story| Associated Press
Dec 1, 2008
|Story| Associated Press
Dec 1, 2008
|Story| Associated Press
Dec 1, 2008
|Story| Associated Press
Dec 1, 2008
|Story| Baltimore Sun
Dec 1, 2008
|Story| Associated Press
Dec 1, 2008
|Story| Hampton Roads Daily Press
Dec 1, 2008
|Story| Allentown Morning Call
Dec 1, 2008
|Story| Associated Press
Dec 1, 2008
|Story| Associated Press
