Legends of the Indianapolis Colts

Football is one of American's favorite pastimes. Each January, millions make it a priority to arrange parties and have friends over to watch this one football game. If the Colts are your favorite team, there is a good reason. There have been many great players to play for the Colts.

The Indianapolis Colts team originally began as the Miami Seahawks. They moved to Baltimore in 1947 and changed their name to the Baltimore Colts. At this time, they left the All-American Football Conference and joined the NFL in 1950. The franchise fell apart after one season with the NFL. Baltimore fans protested, so another Colts team was formed from the leftover Dallas Texans from the 1953 season. While the Colts were in Baltimore, they won four NFL championships, including Super Bowl V in 1971. The owner of the Colts decided to move the team to Indianapolis in 1984 due to a troubled relationship with the city of Baltimore. This move does not wipe away the history of former legends that played for the Baltimore Colts. One of the greatest quarterbacks to ever play football was Johnny Unitas, playing from years 1956 to 1972. Other legendary Hall of Famers include: Raymond Berry (WR, 1955-1967), Art Donovan (DT 1953-1961), and Ted Hendricks (LB 1969-1973). Even though they played football as a Baltimore Colt, the Pro Football Hall of Fame in Canton, Ohio has them recorded as the Indianapolis Colts. The legendary players did not, and still do not, associate themselves with the city of Indianapolis. There is a petition that circulates to take up the cause to let the careers of these Hall of Famers from the Baltimore Colts rest in their proper place.

Controversy is not usually productive, and can be demoralizing to these players. Their history with the Baltimore Colts should be recorded as it actually happened regardless of where the team is located.