30 year anniversary of the Colts leaving Baltimore
Thirty years ago on a fateful snowy night in March of 1984, a Mayflower moving van was photographed pulling away from the Baltimore Colts training facility in Owings Mills. The van was transporting the Colts NFL franchise to Indianapolis and leaving Baltimore without a professional football team.
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- Baltimore Colts owner Robert Irsay engages in a shouting match with reporters during a news conference Jan. 20, 1984 at Baltimore Washington International airport in Baltimore, where Irsay denied making a deal to move the National Football League franchise to Phoenix. (Gene Sweeney Jr./Baltimore Sun)
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- For the 1973 season Colts owner Robert Irsay traded famed quarterback Johnny Unitas to the San Diego Chargers. The trade was very unpopular with the fans in Baltimore. Unitas, a three time NFL most valuable player, played one season with the Chargers before retiring. (File photo/Baltimore Sun)
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- As early as January 1972 rumors started to spread about a possible move by the Colts. Screeching fans hold up a sign expressing sentiments about the team moving from the city, “Hell No! Please Don’t Go.” (Irving Phillips/Baltimore Sun)
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- Colts coach Mike McCormack shows his frustration after linebacker Barry Krauss missed a play in 1981. ( J. Pat Carter/fBaltimore Sun)
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- At a Colts game in November, 1981, left to right: Dennis King, Lewis Goodman, Ken Meltzer, Alan Rifkin wear “Impeach Irsay” shirts. (Walter M. McCardell/Baltimore Sun)
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- On December 21, 1980 the Colts had one of the smallest crowds in franchise history see the colts play the Kansas City Chiefs. (Jed Kirschbaum/Baltimore Sun)
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- In November 1981 fans shows displeasure with Bob Irsay at a Colts vs the Philadelphia Eagles game. (J. Pat Carter/Baltimore Sun file photo)
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- On December 14, 1981 Colts fans where bags over their heads in shame as the team plays the Washington Redskins. (file photo/Baltimore Sun)
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- A moving van carrying the Baltimore Colts’ equipment leaves Baltimore for Indianapolis in the middle of the night March 29, 1984. (Lloyd Pearson/The Baltimore Sun)
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- After moving the Colts to Indianapolis, owner Robert Irsay right, at a press conference explained how season and game ticket sales will be handled for this season’s Colts games in the Hoosier Dome. On the left is his son Jim Irsay.(Alex Persons/UPI)
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- In this Dec. 28, 1958 file photo, Baltimore Colts fullback Alan Ameche advances through a big opening provided by teammates to score the winning touchdown in overtime period against the New York Giants during the NFL Championship football game at Yankee Stadium in New York. Colts’ Lenny Moore gets a good block on Giants’ Emlen Tunnell (45) at left. Colts quarterback Johnny Unitas (19) is at right along with Giants’ Jim Patton (20). The Cotls won 23-17 in overtime for the title. (file photo/Baltimore Sun)
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- The September 19, 1971 edition of Baltimore Sun features the NFL champion Baltimore Colts ring. The Colts won four NFL championship, 1958, 1959, 1968 and 1970 all under the ownership of Carroll Rosenbloom. (file photo/Baltimore Sun)
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- Art Donovan takes the field in September 1962 during a tribute to him after he announced his retirement. (file photo/Baltimore Sun)
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- During the 4th Quarter Colts player #32 Mike “The Animal” Curtis decked the fan after he ran onto the field and snatch the game ball. Teammate #78 Bubba Smith watches on. Mr. Ennis #21 faced a disorderly conduct charge. He spent time in jail and was treated for “dizziness and a bruised hip. (Carl Harris/Baltimore Sun)
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- Johnny Unitas of the Baltimore Colts drops back to pass as he plays against the Detroit Lions in 1965. (Paul Hutchins/Baltimore Sun)
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- September 15, 1968 Johnny Unitas, left and Earl Morrall talk along the sideline lines during a game in September 1968. (Paul Hutchins/Baltimore Sun)
The Colts departure came eight years after owner Robert Irsay began flirting with other cities. He wanted a new stadium. Irsay watched Baltimore, Phoenix and Indianapolis try to outbid each other for the pleasure of his team’s company. In the end, he left for a new sports palace in Indianapolis.
The decision by the contentious owner to finally pull the plug in Baltimore was long rumored and feared by fans and politicians alike. The once vaunted franchise known for winning championships had not only slipped to mediocrity by the early 1980’s, but had stole away into the night.
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