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.
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McNair's hometown 'distraught'
The family and friends who grew up with native son Steve McNair didn't have to say goodbye to the former-NFL quarterback by themselves Friday night. The tiny town of Mount Olive, Miss., had plenty of company. People drove in from nearby states and joined...Tags: Prisons, Tennessee Titans, Steve McNair, Vehicles, Transportation
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Darius Butler Agrees To 4-Year Deal With Pats
Former UConn cornerback Darius Butler and the Patriots have come to terms on a four-year deal reportedly worth $3.9 million. The deal was announced Friday by Butler's agent, Drew Rosenhaus, and later confirmed by the Patriots. Butler, a second-round pick...Tags: New England Patriots, Philadelphia Eagles, NFL, University of Connecticut, New York Giants
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Manning hopes revamped Colts 'hit ground running'
Peyton Manning isn't concerned about his new surroundings in Indianapolis, new Colts coach Jim Caldwell has "assured" him he has plan. He will need one. Head coach Tony Dungy has retired, wide receiver Marvin Harrison is no longer with the team and...Tags: San Diego Chargers, Steve McNair, Super Bowl, Tom Moore, Philadelphia Eagles
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Decade of Champions
IndySportsNationWith the Fever racing out to the best record in the WNBA at 8-2, I'm already thinking championship (sorry for the added pressure ladies). It's the 10th anniversary season for the Fever and coincidentally, I will celebrate a decade of service at FOX 59...Tags: NBA, Chicago Bears, Super Bowl, Multi-Sport Events, Shaquille O'Neal
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NFL Top 10: Most Valuable Indianapolis Colts
MVN.comThe Indianapolis Colts continue to produce a nearly unhealthy streak of double digit win seasons, and the two men most responsible for this success are undeniable. One graces the top of our list, the other, will not be on the list. For Bill Polian is...Tags: London Fletcher, NFL, Keith Bulluck, Indianapolis Colts
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Police Release More Details On Steve McNair Death
Former NFL quarterback Steve McNair's shooting death was a homicide, police said Sunday, but authorities stopped short of saying it was a murder-suicide committed by the 20-year-old girlfriend found dead by his side.
McNair, 36, was shot four times,...Tags: Suicide, Firearms, Assault, Defense, Steve McNair
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The Late Steve McNair's 13 NFL Seasons Often Intertwined With Indianapolis Colts
Examiner.comSteve McNair in 13 NFL seasons played quarterback for two franchises, his career intertwining with the Indianapolis Colts at both stops. It was a career defined by toughness, guts and yes, by breaking barriers, too. McNair was shot and killed Saturday...Tags: Super Bowl, NFL, Multi-Sport Events, Jacksonville Jaguars, Indianapolis Colts
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Police: McNair's death a homicide
Baltimore Sun reporterThe death of former Ravens and Tennessee Titans quarterback Steve McNair this weekend was clearly a homicide, but it could be days before they will be able to classify the death of the woman found in the same condominium with a pistol underneath her body,...Tags: Derrick Mason, Assault, Behavioral Conditions, Steve McNair, St. Louis Rams
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Seven Baltimore sports comebacks for the ages
mike.klingaman@baltsun.comComebacks. Rallies. Climb out of the abyss, and you're turning heads, whether it's the stock market or sporting events. When the Orioles rebounded from a nine-run deficit to defeat the Boston Red Sox, 11-10, on Tuesday night, it triggered memories of...Tags: Ted Williams, Boston Red Sox, Derrick Mason, Memorial Stadium, Tennessee Titans
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Tenn. Police Rule Ex-QB McNair's Death a Homicide
Staff WriterShot twice in the head and two more times in the chest, former NFL quarterback Steve McNair was the victim of a homicide, police declared Sunday. But authorities wouldn't say it was a murder-suicide -- even with his 20-year-old girlfriend dead at his feet...Tags: Firearms, Dining and Drinking, Defense, Homes, Tennessee Titans
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Steve McNair's death is homicide; no suicide ruling on girlfriend
Former NFL quarterback Steve McNair's shooting death was a homicide, police said Sunday, but authorities stopped short of saying it was a murder-suicide committed by the 20-year-old girlfriend found dead by his side.
McNair, 36, was shot four times,...Tags: Restaurant and Catering Industry, Mike Jones, Drunk Driving, Firearms, Derrick Mason
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McNair Death Is Ruled Homicide
Shot twice in the head and two more times in the chest, former NFL quarterback Steve McNair was the victim of a homicide, police declared Sunday. But authorities wouldn't say it was a murder-suicide -- even with his 20-year-old girlfriend dead at his feet...Tags: Restaurant and Catering Industry, Mike Jones, Drunk Driving, Firearms, Derrick Mason
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