Indianapolis Colts

An earlier Baltimore Colts club played in the AAFC from 1947 and entered the NFL in 1950 before disbanding. Baltimore received a new NFL franchise in 1953, with Carroll Rosenbloom becoming its principal owner on January 23. The new franchise is distinct from that earlier namesake.⁠[1]

Weeb Ewbank became head coach in 1954. Led on the field by Johnny Unitas and other stars, the Colts won NFL titles in 1958 and 1959. Their 23–17 overtime victory over the New York GiantsNew York GiantsThe New York Giants are an NFL professional American football team founded in 1925 and competing in the NFC East. They have won eight league championships, including four Super Bowls, and have a long association with the Mara and Tisch families. The Giants share MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, with the New York Jets. John Harbaugh became head coach in 2026.Open the full entry in the 1958 championship game became a landmark in televised professional football.⁠[1]

Don Shula replaced Ewbank in 1963 and led the Colts to the 1968 NFL title, followed by a 16–7 loss to Ewbank’s New York JetsNew York JetsThe New York Jets are an NFL professional American football team in the AFC East. Awarded an AFL franchise in 1959, they began play as the New York Titans in 1960 and adopted their current name in 1963. Joe Namath led them to victory in Super Bowl III. Owned by Robert Wood Johnson, the Jets share MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, with the Giants. Aaron Glenn became head coach in 2025.Open the full entry in Super Bowl III. Shula left for Miami in 1970. The Colts joined the AFC in the merger and won Super Bowl V after the 1970 season.⁠[1]

Robert Irsay purchased the Los Angeles RamsLos Angeles RamsThe Los Angeles Rams are an NFL professional American football team in the NFC West. They joined the NFL in Cleveland in 1937, later played in Los Angeles and St. Louis, and returned to the Los Angeles area in 2016. Their current home is SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California. Owned by Stan Kroenke and coached by Sean McVay, the Rams won the 1945 and 1951 NFL titles and Super Bowls XXXIV and LVI.Open the full entry in 1972 and exchanged franchises with Rosenbloom to acquire the Colts. On March 28, 1984, he relocated the team to Indianapolis, ending its Baltimore period.⁠[1]

After Robert Irsay died in 1997, Jim Irsay became sole owner. Peyton Manning arrived in 1998, helped make Indianapolis a regular playoff contender and led the team to victory in Super Bowl XLI after the 2006 season.⁠[2][1]

After 24 seasons at the RCA Dome, the Colts moved to Lucas Oil Stadium in downtown Indianapolis. Players and coaches held their first practice there on August 19, 2008. The new venue features a retractable roof.⁠[3]

The Colts selected Andrew Luck first overall in the 2012 NFL Draft and signed him in July. Andrew Luck led Indianapolis to the AFC Championship Game in the 2014 season and won Comeback Player of the Year for 2018. On the evening of August 24, 2019, he announced his retirement, explaining that the continuing cycle of injury, pain and rehabilitation had affected his desire to keep playing.⁠[4][5]

Following Jim Irsay’s death on May 21, 2025, the club announced the ownership transition to his three daughters. Carlie Irsay-Gordon became principal owner and CEO, Casey Foyt owner and executive vice president, and Kalen Jackson owner and chief brand officer and president of the team foundation. All three share leadership responsibilities.⁠[2]

Lucas Oil Stadium, the Colts’ current home, is at 500 South Capitol Avenue in Indianapolis, Indiana. The current NFL profile lists Shane Steichen as head coach. Principal owner Carlie Irsay-Gordon shares leadership with her two sisters.⁠[6][7][2]

Indianapolis Colts: Official website: https://www.colts.com/ (opens in a new window) .⁠[8]

Indianapolis Colts: X: https://www.twitter.com/colts (opens in a new window) .⁠[8]

Indianapolis Colts: YouTubeYouTubeYouTube is Google’s video-sharing and creator platform, founded in 2005 by Steve Chen, Chad Hurley, and Jawed Karim and acquired by Google in 2006. Built around video uploading, viewing, and creator earnings, the platform has developed Shorts, YouTube Music, Premium, YouTube TV, and products for children, and is headquartered in San Bruno, California, United States.Open the full entry: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCyYn26HPC4HIedifGnNbjBw (opens in a new window) .⁠[8]

Indianapolis Colts: LinkedInLinkedInLinkedIn is a social networking platform for professionals. It was founded in 2002 by Reid Hoffman and others, launched in 2003, and listed on the New York Stock Exchange in 2011; after Microsoft acquired it for approximately $26.2 billion in 2016, it became a wholly owned Microsoft subsidiary. Its revenue comes from membership subscriptions, advertising, and recruitment solutions.Open the full entry: https://www.linkedin.com/company/indianapolis-colts/ (opens in a new window) .⁠[9]