What NFL team moved in the middle of the night?
Emily Ross
Published Jan 17, 2026
On March 28, 1984, Bob Irsay (1923-1997), owner of the once-mighty Baltimore Colts, moves the team to Indianapolis. Without any sort of public announcement, Irsay hired movers to pack up the team's offices in Owings Mills, Maryland, in the middle of the night, while the city of Baltimore slept.On March 28, 1984, Bob Irsay (1923-1997), owner of the once-mighty Baltimore Colts, moves the team to Indianapolis. Without any sort of public announcement, Irsay hired movers to pack up the team's offices in Owings Mills, Maryland, in the middle of the night, while the city of Baltimore During the war itself, Baltimore Town served as the temporary capital of the colonies when the Second Continental Congress met there during December 1776 to February 1777, after Philadelphia had been threatened with occupation by the British "Redcoats". › wiki › Maryland_in_the_American_...
Why did the Colts move in the middle of the night?
In the wee hours of March 29, 1984, then-owner Robert Irsay decided to move the Colts franchise in the snowy and frosty night. Irsay concluded that he did not want to be held "hostage" by the city any longer.
Why did the Colts sneak out of Baltimore?
Irsay moved the team in the dead of night on March 28–29, 1984, after the city of Baltimore proved unwilling to replace Memorial Stadium and the Maryland General Assembly was on the verge of passing legislation allowing the city to seize the team via eminent domain.
Why did Baltimore Colts leave?
Frick: The Colts left Baltimore because they had a terrible stadium, they weren't drawing crowds and, most importantly, the city of Baltimore and Maryland Legislature sought to take the Colts away from Bob Irsay by using eminent domain.
Who moved the Colts to Indianapolis?
Robert Irsay, who acquired the Los Angeles Rams franchise in 1972, engineered an historic trade of teams with Carroll Rosenbloom that year. Twelve years later on March 28, 1984, Irsay moved the Colts to Indianapolis, where they now play in Lucas Oil Stadium.
26 related questions foundAre the Colts moving?
Rather than give up his team, Irsay quickly took a deal offered by the city of Indianapolis and moved the Colts before anyone knew what had happened. Baltimore fans were stunned, and the Colts marching band, long a fixture at games, defiantly continued to perform in the city.
What NFL team moved to Baltimore?
The Ravens originated when Cleveland Browns owner Art Modell decided to relocate his historic franchise, and he reached a deal with the city of Baltimore to move his team in 1996.
How did Cleveland keep the Browns name?
The Browns were founded in 1946 and, as the result of a fan contest to choose their moniker, were named after their first head coach, Paul Brown, who was already a popular figure in Ohio, having coached the Ohio State University to a national collegiate football championship.
What NFL teams have moved cities?
The league had started actively promoting a return to Los Angeles no later than 2006, and in January 2016, the NFL gave the St. Louis Rams approval to move back to Los Angeles. A year later, the Chargers also relocated to the city, while the Raiders relocated to Las Vegas in 2020.
Did the Cleveland Browns move to Baltimore?
In late 1995, Modell announced the move of the franchise to Baltimore. Browns owner Art Modell claimed financial hardships, but announced the move before Cleveland was able to propose an offer to keep the Browns. In fact, voters approved a renovation of Cleveland Municipal Stadium that November.
Was there a football team in Indianapolis before the Colts?
The organization began play in 1953 as the Baltimore Colts with the team located in Baltimore, Maryland; it relocated to Indianapolis following the 1983 season. Carroll Rosenbloom brought an NFL franchise to Baltimore in 1953 and owned the team until 1972 when he traded the franchise to Robert Irsay.
Where do NFL teams stay in Baltimore?
Baltimore Hotels and Places to Stay
- Hyatt Regency Baltimore Inner Harbor. ...
- Renaissance Baltimore Harborplace Hotel. ...
- Lord Baltimore Hotel. ...
- Royal Sonesta Harbor Court Baltimore. ...
- Kimpton Hotel Monaco Baltimore Inner Harbor. ...
- Sleep Inn & Suites Downtown Inner Harbor. ...
- Hotel Indigo Baltimore Downtown, an IHG hotel.
Did Baltimore have a CFL team?
The Baltimore Stallions (known officially as the "Baltimore Football Club" and previously as the "Baltimore CFL Colts" in its inaugural season) were a Canadian Football League team based in Baltimore, Maryland, in the United States, which played the 1994 and 1995 seasons.
How long did Baltimore not have a football team?
Baltimore remained without an NFL football franchise for 13 years after the Baltimore Colts relocated to Indianapolis, Indiana. In 1996, however, the NFL approved Cleveland Browns owner Art Modell's proposal to relocate the franchise ...
What NFL team has not moved?
Teams that have never moved
- Green Bay Packers - 1921-Present.
- New York Giants - 1925-Present.
- Philadelphia Eagles - 1933-Present [PHI/PIT combined team in 1943]
- Pittsburgh Steelers - Pittsburgh Pirates (1933-1939), Pittsburgh Steelers (1941-Present) [PHI/PIT combined team in 1943; PIT/CHI Cardinals combined team in 1944]
What NFL team moved states?
The Rams moved back to Los Angeles after owner Stan Kroenke paid a $550 million fee to move the team out of St. Louis, where it was baed since the 1995 season. We'll get to the first move from Los Angeles to St. Louis in a bit, but the move to Los Angeles was based on the promise of a new state-of-the-art stadium.
What is the newest NFL team?
Did you know? The Houston Texans are the youngest franchise in the NFL, becoming the league's 32nd franchise during the 2002 season.
Who is the oldest NFL franchise?
The Green Bay Acme Packers, founded in 1919 (joined the NFL in 1921, now the Green Bay Packers) is the oldest NFL franchise with continuous operation in the same location.
Has the Detroit Lions ever won a Super Bowl?
The Detroit Lions are the oldest NFL team to have never appeared in a Super Bowl and the only franchise from the NFC to have never played for the trophy. Their last playoff victory came in 1992 and it's highly unlikely that will change this next season.
Where did Brownie the Elf come from?
“Brownie” made his first appearance in a newspaper ticket ad for the 1946 season opener against the Miami Seahawks at old Cleveland Municipal Stadium. This character was similar, but was shown running, holding up a right-handed stiff arm maneuver while holding a football with the expression “The Brownies are coming!”
What NFL team moved to Cleveland?
The Cleveland Browns relocation controversy was the decision by then Browns owner Art Modell to move the National Football League team from its longtime home of Cleveland, Ohio to Baltimore, Maryland for the 1996 NFL season.
Where did the Houston Oilers move to?
The professional American football team now known as the Tennessee Titans previously played in Houston as the Houston Oilers from its founding in 1960 to 1996 before relocating to Memphis, and later Nashville, Tennessee becoming the Titans.
