Resurrecting the Baltimore Colts

Most people are aware of the history of the Baltimore Colts franchise. The moving of the Colts to Indianapolis in 1984 still lingers in the hearts of old school Baltimore football fans. If history has anything to say, the Baltimore Colts will rise again… or at least the name will.

The Baltimore Colts were founded in 1946 as part of the All American Football Conference. When the AAFC folded after the 1949 season, three teams were accepted into the NFL; the Cleveland Browns, the San Francisco 49ers, and the Baltimore Colts. This version of the Colts would not last as they went out of business and ceased operations a short time later.

Much later, after the second version of the Colts had moved to Indianapolis, a professional football team named the Baltimore Colts was back in action. The Canadian Football League had expanded into the United States in the early part of the 1990’s and in an attempt to capitalize on the football fans that had been left behind by the NFL Colts they placed a team in Baltimore. The team was christened the Baltimore Colts, but the NFL and the Colts franchise filed a lawsuit claiming rights to the name Baltimore Colts. The new CFL team then became the Baltimore CFL Colts, then the Baltimore CFL’ers, and finally the Baltimore Stallions.

So, have no fear Baltimore fans… odds are another Colts team will spring up in your neighborhood anytime now. Not that you need them anymore since the Ravens came to town.