Established
1952
City
Dallas - Baltimore - Indianapolis
League History
1952 – Present / National Football League
Team History
1984 - Present / Indianapolis Colts
1953 - 1983 / Baltimore Colts
1952 / Dallas Texans
Nickname
Colts - Sports fans, if you’re a fan of the Baltimore Colts, then you may be interested to learn about the origin and history behind their nickname. The name “Colts” was chosen for the team in 1947 when it joined NFL as an expansion franchise.
The team held a contest to find its new nickname, with entries ranging from Bullets to Bees and Marauders. However, Charles Evans of Middle River, Maryland, submitted Colts as his winning entry because he believed it fitted for several reasons: firstly that colts are some of the youngest animals in nature; secondly that Maryland is well-known for its racehorses; and lastly because ‘colts’ is short enough to fit into newspaper headlines easily while also being easy enough for people pronounce correctly.
Baltimore Colts Origin
Since then, this beloved football team has kept its name – despite changing cities twice (first moving from Baltimore to Indianapolis before eventually settling back down). Nowadays, they can still proudly call themselves The Coltssome 70 years after they were first given their unique moniker!
From thereon out, they became known simply as 'the Colts' - though some have argued that their mascot logo (a horse wearing armor) may also be derived from another literary source: Sir Walter Scott's novel Ivanhoe, where King Richard I rides around England atop a white stallion called Malvoisin (which translates roughly into 'bad neighbor'). Whatever its origins, however, it remains clear that literature and poetry impacted how Baltimore chose to represent itself throughout its tenure within professional football circles!
Championship
Super Bowl 1
2007, 1971
NFL Championships 2
1959, 1958
Stadium
2008 - Present / Lucas Oil Stadium
1994 - 2007 / RCA Dome
1984 - 1993 / Hoosier Dome
*Baltimore*
1953 - 1983 / Memorial Stadium
*Dallas*
1952 / Cotton Bowl
Owner
1997 - Present / Jim Irsay
1972 - 1997 / Robert Irsay
1953 - 1972 / Carroll Rosenbloom
1952 / Giles Miller (games 1–7), NFL (games 8–12)
- 1953
- 1958
- 1959
- 1968
- 1970
- 1972
- 1984
-
Leaving for Baltimore
In 1953, a Baltimore based group led by Carroll Rosenbloom won the rights to a new Baltimore National Football League franchise. Rosenbloom was awarded the remains of the Dallas Texans. The Colts were the first NFL team to have cheerleaders and a marching band. The Colts were named after Baltimore’s annual Preakness Stakes which is why many fans are bitter ... -
National Football League Championship Winner 1958
The 1958 National Football League Championship Game was the 26th NFL championship game, played on December 28 at Yankee Stadium in New York City. It was the first NFL playoff game to go into sudden-death overtime. The final score was Baltimore Colts 23, New York Giants 17, and the game has since become widely known as “The Greatest Game Ever ... -
National Football League Championship Winner 1959
The 1959 National Football League Championship Game was the 27th NFL championship game, played on December 27 at Memorial Stadium in Baltimore, Maryland. It was a rematch of the 1958 championship game that went into overtime. The defending champion Baltimore Colts (9–3) again won the Western Conference, while the New York Giants (10–2) repeated as Eastern Conference champions. The Colts ... -
National Football League Championship Winner 1968
The 1968 National Football League championship game was the 36th annual championship game. The winner of the game represented the NFL in the third AFL-NFL World Championship Game also called the Super Bowl. The NFL title game was held on December 29 at Cleveland Municipal Stadium in Cleveland, Ohio. -
Super Bowl V Winner 1970
Super Bowl V, the fifth edition of the Super Bowl and first modern-era National Football League (NFL) championship game, was an American football game between the American Football Conference (AFC) champion Baltimore Colts and the National Football Conference (NFC) champion Dallas Cowboys to decide the NFL champion for the 1970 season. The Colts defeated the Cowboys by the score of ... -
Owners Trading Teams
Rosenbloom traded the Colts franchise to Robert Irsay on July 13, 1972, and received the Los Angeles Rams in return. Under the new ownership, the Colts did not reach the postseason for three consecutive seasons after 1971, and after the 1972 season, starting quarterback and legend Johnny Unitas was traded to the San Diego Chargers. Irsay assumed ownership of the ... -
Relocate to Indianapolis
The Colts finished 0–8–1 in the strike-shortened 1982 season, thereby earning the right to select Stanford quarterback John Elway with the first overall pick. Elway, however, refused to play for Baltimore and using leverage as a draftee of the New York Yankees baseball club, forced a trade to Denver. Behind an improved defense the team finished 7–9 in 1983, but ...
To qualify as the greatest player for this team, the player must have played one season for this team. If not, we will remove the player.
* verifies that player has played for this team as an added player by a fan.
Baltimore Colts History
The Baltimore Colts history holds a special place in professional football. Established in 1953, the Colts quickly became one of the most successful teams in league history. Over 35 years, they secured two Super Bowl victories, three conference championships, and seven division titles. The Baltimore Colts NFL legacy began when they joined the league after their time in the All-America Football Conference, marking the start of a remarkable era.
Led by legendary coach Weeb Ewbank and quarterback Johnny Unitas, the Colts became a powerhouse in football. They recorded historic wins against iconic opponents, including Joe Namath’s Jets and Don Meredith’s Cowboys. The Baltimore Colts history was defined by their unforgettable 1968 playoff run, capped by the famous “Drive,” a last-minute push led by Unitas that sealed a championship moment for the team and fans alike.
In 1970, under head coach Don McCafferty, the Colts achieved another milestone with their second Super Bowl win. Their narrow 16–13 victory over the Dallas Cowboys became one of the most memorable games in football. This achievement solidified the Baltimore Colts NFL reputation as a dominant force during that era.
Baltimore Colts Achievements
However, the franchise faced challenges in later years. Financial struggles and internal conflicts eventually led to the controversial relocation to Indianapolis in 1984. Despite the move, the Baltimore Colts history remains a cherished chapter in the NFL, remembered for its championships, legendary players, and the passionate fan base that supported the team for decades.
The Baltimore Colts history is filled with remarkable achievements that shaped the game. The team won two Super Bowls, three conference championships, and seven division titles during its time in the league. These victories highlighted the strength of the Baltimore Colts NFL era, as the franchise consistently ranked among the most successful teams of its time. With legendary players and iconic wins, their achievements remain a proud part of football’s story.
Sports Fan Products
Retired Number
18 / Peyton Manning
19 / Johnny Unitas
22 / Buddy Young
24 / Lenny Moore
70 / Art Donovan
77 / Jim Parker
82 / Raymond Berry
89 / Gino Marchetti
*Blue is this team’s history