Mecatronica

History of The Indianapolis Colts
Storied Baltimore franchise came to Indianapolis in 1984
File updated: 1-14-2008
Johnny Unitas was the Colts' quarterback from 1956 to 1972. (AP photo)
For nearly 40 years the Colts called Baltimore home. During that time, with players such as Johnny Unitas and coaches such as Don Shula, the Colts enjoyed great success and popularity. The team won twoWorld Championships, and the 1971 Super Bowl.

Baltimore Colts coach Don Shula, and players, after the Colts won the NFL's Western Division title in 1964. (AP photo)
But after three more division titles in the mid-70s, the Colts went into a decline, posting a 2-14 record in 1980 and an 0-8-1 record in the strike-shortened 1982 season. Owner Robert Irsay, who acquired the Colts in 1972, wanted thecity of Baltimore to upgrade its stadium. But with attendance dwindling and the team playing poorly, city officials were wary of such an investment. Relations between Irsay and the city worsened, and he began shopping his team around to other cities hungry for an NFL franchise.
Among the cities who very much wanted a team was Indianapolis. Under the administrations of mayors Richard Lugar andWilliam Hudnut, the city was making an ambitious effort to reinvent itself into a `Great American City.' The Hoosier Dome (later renamed the RCA Dome) had been built and was ready for an NFL expansion team.
The deal to bring the Colts to Indianapolis came together in late March 1984 and Irsay and Hudnut arranged for the franchise to move from Baltimore immediately, and secretly, overnight, beforethe official announcement on March 29.
Since arriving in Indianapolis, the Colts have had many dismal seasons, interspersed with a few years that gave their fans hope. With the help of players such as Eric Dickerson and Jim Harbaugh, the team made the playoffs in 1987, 1995 and 1996. In 1995 the Colts just missed winning the AFC Championship game - and a trip to the Super Bowl - when a last-secondpass was dropped in the end-zone.

Peyton Manning (Staff photo / Robert Scheer)
File contents:
HISTORY OF THE COLTS 1946-1984
THE MOVE TO INDIANAPOLIS
HIGHLIGHTS OF THE AGREEMENT
BRIEF REVIEW OF EACH SEASON SINCE 1984

In 1999, after two 3-13 seasons in a row, the Colts did a complete turnaround. Led by young quarterback Peyton Manning, and with running back Edgerrin James' potentrunning attack, the team posted a 13-3 record, and won the AFC East.
Going into the 2000 season, with Manning, James, Marvin Harrison and other promising young players still reaching their full potential, the post-season was no longer enough. Now they, and their fans, wanted the Super Bowl.
The Colts came close again in 2004, winning playoff games against the Broncos and at Kansas City beforefalling to the New England Patriots 24-14 in the AFC Championship game.
Then, in 2006, the team finally won its' first Super Bowl since moving to Indianapolis, defeating the Chicago Bears 29-17.
HISTORY OF THE TEAM 1946-1984:
1940s: The Colts franchise was established in December 1946, when the bankrupt Miami Seahawks of the All-American Football Conference were purchased by a group headed byBob Rodenberg. They were relocated to Baltimore and renamed the Colts. The Baltimore Colts played their first game on Sept. 7, 1947, defeating the Brooklyn Dodgers. The All-American Football Conference and the National Football League merged in 1950. The Colts had a 1-11 record in both 1949 and 1950 and the team was dissolved in January 1951 because of its failing financial condition.

AlanAmeche scores a touchdown to give the Colts a 23-17 overtime win in the NFL championship game Dec. 28, 1958. (AP photo)
1950s: In January 1953 Carroll Rosenbloom moved the NFL's Dallas franchise to Baltimore where they kept the Colts name but adopted the Dallas colors of blue and white. In 1954 Weeb Ewbank was hired as head coach, a position he held for nine seasons - the longest tenure of any Colts...