The Colts franchise grew out of the ashes of the failed
Dallas Texans, a franchise that in turn had originated in the failed Boston
Yanks/New York Bulldogs/Yanks franchise. From these inauspicious beginnings, the
Colts would go on to become one of the premier teams in the 1960s and again in
the late 1990s and 2000s.
The Colts first season (in Baltimore) was a difficult one, as
the team won only three out of their twelve games. The next season, team owner
Carroll Rosenbloom named Weeb Ewbank head coach. Ewbank coached the Colts to
consecutive NFL Championships in 1958 and 1959. Those teams were stacked with
talent, including quarterback Johnny Unitas, running back Lenny Moore, wide
receiver Raymond Berry, defensive end Gino Marchetti, and offensive lineman Jim
Parker, all of whom are in the Hall of Fame.
During the 1960s, the Colts continued their string of
success. The Colts appeared in two more NFL Championship games during the
decade, first losing to the Cleveland Browns in 1964, and defeating the Browns
in 1968. After the 34-0 drubbing of Cleveland, the Colts were set to face off
against the AFL Champion New York Jets in Super Bowl III. Prior to the game,
Jets quarterback Joe Namath guaranteed a victory for his team. Then, in one of
the most memorable Super Bowls ever played, Namath delivered a 16-7 victory for
the Jets.
The Colts would remain competitive throughout the 1970s, even
returning to the Super Bowl in 1970. In Super Bowl V, Baltimore defeated the
Dallas Cowboys 16-13 in what would be the franchise's last championship until
2006.
In 2006, the Colts finished the regular season at 12-4 with
quarterback Peyton Manning at the helm. On their way to the Super Bowl the Colts
first defeated the Kansas City Chiefs, and then in a classic game, the New
England Patriots. The Super Bowl ended in a 29-17 victory for the Colts, and the
franchise's fifth league championship.
The Colts' NFL League Titles:
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1958: Won 23-17 over the New York Giants
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1959: Won 31-16 over the New York Giants
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1968: Won 34-0 over the Cleveland Browns (Lost Super Bowl
III)
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1970 (Super Bowl V): Won 16-13 over the Dallas Cowboys
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2006 (Super Bowl XLI): Won 29-17 over the Chicago Bears
The Colts' Hall of Famers:
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Raymond Berry, Wide Receiver
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Eric Dickerson, Running Back (1987-1991)
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Art Donovan, Defensive Tackle (1953-1961)
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Ted Hendricks, Linebacker (1969-1973)
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John Mackey, Tight End (1963-1971)
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Gino Marchetti, Defensive End (1953-1966)
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Lenny Moore, Running Back (1956-1967)
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Jim Parker, Offensive Lineman (1957-1967)
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Johnny Unitas, Quarterback (1956-1972)
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Weeb Ewbank, Head Coach (1954-1962)
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Don Shula, Head Coach (1963-1969)
The design of the Indianapolis Colts NFL Fleece: Allover is
composed of the Colts’ football helmets and horseshoe logos over a royal blue
background.
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