Baltimore Colts History - Origins

The original incarnation of the Baltimore Colts began in the All-America Football Conference in 1946 as the Miami Seahawks. After a 3-11 season, the team was purchased by local Baltimore ownership and moved to Baltimore for the 1947 season, taking the name Colts in 1947 from a "name the team" contest. The team's colors were green and gray, and games were played at Memorial Stadium on 33rd Street in Baltimore, Maryland. In 1950, they joined the National Football League along with the Cleveland Browns and San Francisco 49ers. They were a surprise addition to the league, being considerably weaker financially than several of the AAFC teams left out of the merger. They played only one season in the NFL, with a record of 1-11. Y. A. Tittle was the old Colts starting quarterback.

Due to financial difficulties after the 1-11 losing season, Colts owner Abraham Watner gave his team and its players contracts back to the NFL for $50,000. But many Baltimore fans protested the loss of their team. Supporting groups such as its marching band (the second in professional football, after that of the Washington Redskins) and fan club, remained in operation and worked for the team's revival. Three years later a new team was given to Baltimore.