@@adamdorgant9454Exactly. Corrupt politicians, a stadium that was literally falling down, and a hostile fourth estate? I’d take my ball and go home, too
Straight up. NFL teams are now billion dollar businesses. Could you imagine a city trying such garbage now? Baltimore has ZERO rights to tell Irsay how to run his business or what to do with it. Any smart person would bolt out of there too!
Yea but Cleveland had a chance and blew it. They had to build a new stadium anyways for a team that would be sorry for 20 plus years. I will say till the day I die the Colts move to Indy was the worst.
@@boogitybear2283 Its like Washington baseball fans, cried over the Senators leaving, but willing to accept the Expos having their heart ripped out over Canada.
@@rockvilleraven 48-yr old Springfield man in Phoenix Arizona for a few decades totally agrees with you! Ryan Zimmerman and the Nats FINALLY did it in 2019.. the last champion of the decade!! As much as I don't like the corporate welfare of asking for public funds for stadiums, I figure if we have to fund WELFARE MAMAS as if it's a national emergency due to so-called "toxic" masculinity, just charge the extra two or three percent for a little while for me to keep my sports team! PS--I see Rockville in your alias, and I got to say, that some of the best days of my life were in Rockville, Maryland when I was a resident at the end of the 20th century.
The Browns' players, coaching staff, and front office moved to Baltimore, BUT the team history remained in Cleveland, where the franchise was suspended for 3 seasons.
All of Irsay's demands were reasonable. The politicians of Baltimore and Maryland took the team for granted. For years Irsay threatened to move the team, and all he wanted was stadium improvements. The politicians did not give him anything, and the fans abandoned the team. He did not "sneak out" in the middle of the night as it is often repeated in Baltimore. As a kid, I was devastated when the team left and for years I believe that Irsay did us wrong. Looking back, I now understand why he left. You're telling me that the state and city could not improve Memorial Stadium but 12 years later they found the money to built a state-of-the-art NFL stadium? In the end, it turned out to be the best thing for Baltimore. They got a new stadium and 2 Super Bowls.
+Jake Alden They also got to keep their beloved baseball franchise which was also threatening to move. After the Colts ditched Baltimore Maryland politicians went into "oh shit" mode and desperately started work on legislation to make the Orioles happy.
I recall the City agreeing to make improvements if Irsay would sign a long term lease, but Irsay refused.The one thing they should have given him was a 1:00 start time for home games. Due top churches in the area where mem Stadium was, games could notstart before 2:00 on Sunday, and that hurt, as Colts could not get national TV exposure unless they played at 4:00
Reasobale?? Irsay was anything but reasonable. He would say one thing one day, and something contradictory the next. Irsay was widely considered the worst owner in all sports, even worse than Bidwell and Leonard Tose. That is saying something.
Everybody wants to blame the fans and yes the fan support waned in the later Baltimore years but Irsay wrecked that franchise during his tenure in Baltimore. They went from being one of the NFL's most proud franchises to a big fat joke. 7 different head coaches, ultra cheap and was very unreasonable and hard to get along with. That's why John Elway refused to play for Baltimore.
Allen Greene Not to mention Irsay calling plays from the the press box, Unitas being traded by that POS of a GM Joe Thomas, and then in the early 80s Bert Jones being pretty much run out of town. And people blame the fans of Baltimore for not supporting the team?That's known as running a team into the ground, which is what happened here in Seattle when Clay Bennett purchased the Supersonics then moved them to Oklahoma City.
Irsay didn't move the Colts, Baltimore moved the Colts. That stadium was a dump, what he was asking for was pretty fair. Pay for upgrades to a stadium owned by the city and shared with another team, pay for entry to pre-season games, and 1pm start times. Everything you hear there is now commonplace in the NFL, yet Baltimore lacked the foresight to realize that.
Baltimore could not afford to build a new stadium. However, the eminent domain issue forced the issue. It was down to Phoenix and Indianapolis, and Indy was building the Hoosier Dome without a committed tenant at the time. Phoenix would get a team 4 years later when the St. Louis Football Cardinals moved there.
Reading about the Colts move to Indianapolis years later, Baltimore Deserved to Lose the Colts, and why, the city of Baltimore no longer supported the team, and the main reason why, Because Baltimore was Stupid enough not to build a new stadium for the Colts, besides, Memorial Stadium was not a fit stadium for Modern Football anyway, no wonder the Colts moved to Indianapolis!!!
The franchise wasn’t established in 1953. They are the descendants of the Dayton Triangles who played in the 1920s though the NFL doesn’t recognize it as such.
browns kept their history and team name, they just needed to wait a few years. my grandparents were HUGE colts fans and they always tell me all kinds of stories about those days with johnny u and shit, and i gotta say people in baltimore really were passionate about the colts, this town is crazy about football and to have that legacy stolen from you has to hurt. i know if the ravens snuck out overnight id probably follow them just cuz im such a huge fan, and id hate to have it taken from me
It does not matter what type of team you put in Baltimore. Every team has been a winner!! NFL Colts, USFL Stars, CFL Stallions, NFL Ravens all World Champions. Put that in your shine box!!!
I'm sure it's great having good sports teams while you're getting murdered. I'd never even visit the place, when the citizens make it thr murder capital of the country, you know they're trash.
The move was the fault of Baltimore. They basically said to Irsay "Not only are we not going to give you a new stadium, we're going to make a law that will force you to stay in Baltimore and play in that shit hole stadium"
As much as I despise Robert Irsay I have to agree that Baltimore City and Maryland State government didn't do us Colts fans any favors---DinoHunter56's comments are spot on. The city and state politicians were as much to blame as anyone.
"If you love the colts, why don't you treat me, right?" If Baltimore really wanted the colts, they should've demolished memorial stadium, or at least improve it
I'm a Falcons fan, but after seeing the 30 for 30, my heart broke for the Baltimore fans. One day, I have to run around the former location of Memorial Stadium. With all of the old ghosts.
Different scenarios. Irsay kept saying that he was not leaving then snuck out of town. The city of Cleveland treated Modell like a bank, hitting him up for $ anytime some business was in trouble. He asked for a new Stadium but got the Heisman while the Indians and Cavaliers got new buildings. Then got the Heisman again while Civic leaders in Cleveland pledged $65 million in public money to fund the construction of the Rock & Roll HOF. That was pretty much the last straw for Modell. BUT he was classy enough to leave the Browns name, colors and records in Cleveland for a future team. The Cleveland City Leaders basically forced Modell to leave. THAT'S who Brown fans should have been mad at, not Modell. Irsay, on the other hand was just a lying asshole who Colts fans had a legitimate reason to hate.
@@Russ_Hoops Baltimore and the state of Maryland forced Irsay to run with the team in the middle of the night. You can't pretend Cleveland did worse than TRYING TO STEAL THE TEAM FROM THE MAN WHO OWNED IT!
Irsay was a jerk...but he had every right to do what he did. The city would not give him anything. He tried for years and the city kept refusing to make the stadium better. Baltimore politicians knew he was going to take the team. It hurt when the Colts left town, but we should blame those in power and not Bob Irsay. Likewise, the city of Cleveland should be angry with their politicians and not Art Modell.
Irsay and the Colts gave Baltimore 12 long years to make improvements to memorial stadium or build a new one. In the seventies Irsay started talking to other cities about relocating HIS FOOTBALL CLUB but it wasn't until Baltimore threatened to seize Irsay's property that Irsay left. The midnight run, that was caused by Maryland politicians voting on a bill that would have taken control of the Colts away from Irsay: the man who spent nearly 20 million to gain ownership of the Colts.
Irsay was obviously going to move the team by that point. he was using each city's bid against the other to extract best deal---Indy and Phoenix. The eminent domain bill just made him pull the trigger.
And the patriots r the most hated team in Indiana sports history which is prolly why most Hoosiers no matter how much ravens fans hate the Indy colts. Would’ve rather seen them in downtown Indy over pats fans in 2012. Ps Indy hated bob irsay with a passion too. As a fan I’m glad he never won a playoff game.
At least the Browns kept their history, franchise, and all of that...The Colts were taken from us in the middle of the night, unknowingly. This was way more vile than that...
Go colts Baltimore got what it deserved refusing to fix up that shitty stadium and trying to take the team away from the Irsays which is BS annoying how the assholes of Baltimore make the Irsays look like the bad guys which is false
@@robertholbrook5873 moving a team out in the middle of the night was dirty and you know it. This was my dad's favorite team since he was a kid. Robert Irsay was a terrible human being and his son isn't much better.
Watch other videos. For years Irsay needed a new stadium. Legislature passed so many laws banning public tax dollars to fund anything. All the money they generated for the city and nothing to show. Free capitalism - a better deal somewhere else you gotta seize the initiative and take a risk. Or the government abuses emminent domain to steal your private property.
@@SWIFTO_SCYTHE -- And back then, because of the inadequacies of the stadium, both the Ravens and Orioles were going year-to-year on leases. The best plan was ultimately rejected by the legislature some years before. Knowing this, the league had pretty much let Irsay move the team to a city of his choosing weeks before. Six cities had bid, and it was down to two...Phoenix and Indianapolis. The eminent domain bill scared off Phoenix (the team would have shared Sun Devil Stadium with ASU), but not Indianapolis, where the mayor just happened to live next to the owner of Mayflower Transit.
Legislature did not want to spend tax money on it. Passed laws forbidding the use of funds the stadium and team generated on themselves. Greedy politicians needed their fur coats and fat wallets.
By no means do I like the Ravens, but what Irsay did to the city is damnable by all means. My dad, still to this day, would pee on Irsay's grave if he knew where he was buried. That's how much people hate that family in Baltimore. No team has ever left a city in the way the Colts did Baltimore. Not even the Browns when they came to Baltimore.
Aside from the midnight moving trucks, Modell basically did the same thing by telling the city and the news that the team was going no leave Cleveland, even after there were documents that surfaced about the deal he would sign in Baltimore and with a referendum already on the ballot to be voted on in less then a week to improve the stadium that HE had 100% control over, unlike publicly owned stadiums that you see today, Art Modell may have done a lot of good for the city of Cleveland up to that point but after that I don't think he ever had the balls to come back to Cleveland....
The only teams that are really openly on the verge of moving are: Jacksonville San Diego Buffalo (although they may move to Toronto, not LA) St. Louis Minnesota has their new field in planning stages right now. And where do you get Houston moving anywhere? Houston in 10 years of being an expansion franchise has gone miles and away higher than Cleveland. The Ravens aren't leaving Baltimore and their nice M&T Bank Stadium for some time.
If a city is unwilling to maintain a healthy private-public partnership (that eniment domain stunt Maryland pulled was horrible and they paid the price for it) then they don't deserve to have a professional sports team.
Honestly it all started with a bad move from the city of Baltimore trying to take away ownership from the owner who bought the team. What else was he supposed to do? 100 out of 100 people would do the same. Stupid government robbing a citizen thats what that was. Imagine if the government was trying to take your rightfully owned property and it would all go away if you could move your property, wouldn't you do it?
I've read that the deal for the stadium near Staples Center was done. You could get the Chargers or Rams if they don't renovate their stadiums, or an expansion team.
No doubt. I agree. I am surprised the Jaguars or the Texans haven't moved already. I think there are only a select few teams that will never have to move to a new city like the Dallas Cowboys, Pittsburgh Steelers, or the Washington Redskins.
The Colts left Baltimore in 1984... and have won one superbowl. The Ravens have been in Baltimore since 1996... and have won 2 Superbowls. You can keep the Colts... we'll take the Rings. RAVENS NATION!!!!
Give me a break. If you loved the team so much, you should have tried to keep it and not had the government try to steal it away from its owner. And Baltimore had no problem ripping the heart out of Cleveland and taking their team when it became their turn. So no sympathies for you whatsoever, Baltimore.
They did try to keep it. The owner was snobby and was a two timing son of a bitch. He had no class. And the commisoner didn't want a team in baltimore for some reason because he wouldn't allow a team to go back there until 1996. You cant blame the fans on this one because they sold out every football game.
Halo Maker 30 if Baltimore city leaders had so much class themselves, they wouldn't have forced their previous owner, Carroll Rosembloom, to to do a owner-swap with the L.A. Rams in 1972 because he had gotten fed up with Baltimore officials obstructing his attempts to build a new stadium, something Irsay realized all too acutely and reacted even worse to when he became owner. So no, don't try and rewrite history that Baltimore and Maryland legislators weren't overly stingy in the years leading up to Irsay's sudden departure. Google Question P that was put on the city ballot in 1974 by a city comptrollor who used guise of patriotism that Memorial Stadium being named after fallen WWII veterans would be disrespectful if a new multi-purpose proposed stadium, the Baltodome, was passed and built. Baltimore had a tremendously successful winning franchise that played in a stadium, that was crumbling and falling apart that Colts fans mythologize. I find it ironic that back in the 60's and 70's most Colts fans didn't seem to hold Baltimore city leaders to the same scrutiny for their own stubbornness, obstructive attitudes as much as you hated Irsay for ruining their teams. In fact, if anything, you seemed to all fall in line quietly and never question your city and state leaders for their own failings to keep the Colts in Baltimore back then. In some respects, most Baltimore residents got as complacent as their politicians did expecting their great Colts teams to win yearly despite playing in a shitty, 4th-rate stadium that was falling apart. I notice a lack of vocal criticism aimed at William Shaefer, Baltimore's former mayor, for his complacency back then as well. Shaefer at least learned from that experience that complacency, lack of assertiveness, wasn't going to bring a new NFL team to Baltimore and that's why his actions as Md.'s governor in the early-mid 1990's were the complete opposite then his time as mayor in 1984. And also, let's be honest, Md.'s always had a bit of a stigma of being poor and inept in bringing new businesses to the state. generating new income by being stingy, with stubborn legislators being reluctant at times to be flexible, and reasonable to business and corporations sometimes that might've brought much-needed income and jobs to the state.
I bet Cleveland fans would be wishing they waited 20 years for a team if it meant their team not sucking for 20 years an winning a Super Bowl with someone else’s owner, gm, and a few of their players. Let alone winning another one from scratch.
I understand your argument. However, I think you missed my point. If Baltimore had the decision to take the Browns team and become the Ravens or bring the Colts back to Baltimore, the people would have chosen the Colts. Its more than just the General Manager, Coaches, and Players. People have memories of what the Colts symbolized. Wouldn't Cleveland feel even worse if they had to root for an entirely new franchise? Furthermore, the only winning season Cleveland had in the 90's was in '94..
Yet I’d like to point out because we Hoosiers don’t think any owner who moves his or her team deserves a championship. We could care less about people dedicating on Bob irsays grave. Wish more fans were like this.
As a diehard fan you’d better have wished the ravens were n the Super Bowl. REAL Hoosier colts fans have hated the patriots since birth and before hating them was cool and will hate them 4 life more then any team in the nfl.
It was paying for preseason games and having games start at 1:00. Colts home games started at 2:00 back then because there was a law in Maryland at the time that no sporting event could start before 2:00 on Sundays.
In 1992 I was working for J&J in Orlando, promoted, and relocating to Jacksonville. My boss let me know that a representative from our corporate mover would be stopping by to do a pre-move estimate. The next evening my doorbell rings and when I open the door there are two people standing there. My reaction was to immediatel close the door. The next day my boss called and asks, "I got a call from corporate, what the hell happened last night?" I took a moment and said he woudn't understand. He said, "Try me. Because, otherwise, you'll have to pay for the move yourself." I explained that I had grown up in Towson and had grown up a diehard Balmer Coats fan. When I opened the door and saw two Mayflower representatives I was transported back to March 29, 1984 and those vans pulling out of Owings Mill in the early morning darkness and snow. The day my heart was broken and I stopped watching the NFL. After explaining my actions my boss paused, then said, "My dad is from Brooklyn. He never got over the Dodgers moving to LA. Let me make a few calls and see what we can work out." So, I was moved to Jacksonville. Not by Mayflower. Didn't have to pay for it myself. And, only started watching the NFL again when the city was awarded the Jaguars. I had not watched the NFL from 1984 until 1995. But its not the same as my love for the Colts. Saw them in Westminister and one glorious summer was able to ride my bike from Rodgers Forge to Towson State Teachers College to see them practice just off Osler Drive. Still have pangs when I see those horseshoes on the helmets of that team from Indianapolis. I still have my Colts Coke and Sprite bottle caps. I kept them instead of turning the full set in for a set of NFL mini-helmets. Last year I'm watching a nationally broadcast Ravens game and after a Ravens I heard something threw me off. I thought I heard the Baltimore Colts Fight Song. Sure enough that's what I heard, but it had now been transitioned into the Ravens fight song. I still have never watched a replay or highlights from SB III.
Cleveland would have done anything for Model to keep the old Browns, including building a new staduim. Model told the city he didn't want a new one and he wanted to remodel the old one instead. He lied because he wanted to leave. Model left because he was being blamed for all the bad moves and trades and people were giving him disrespect. He wanted to feel loved, and he knew bringing a team to a city without one would do that. I could elaborate a lot more but their they don't give enough.room.
I feel that’s more true of the fans than the politicians. The latter should’ve made better communication with Art. I feel Art was very philanthropic, but had trouble with his own money. It’s all a shame on how it happened! Don’t worry I do find Baltimore and the NFL for what happened.
Wrong, Baltimore's Ravens are a carpetbagger team. They took the legacy of winning to Baltimore. Check the old Brown. Consistantly in the playoff. Won four championships in their first 8 seasons in the NFL Now the organization that produced that is in Baltimore. We're left with a name and colors and a team that loses so much that it is the Joke of the NFL. You can give me John Waynes cloths but it don't make me the Duke. Every super bowl and playoff in Baltimore belonged to Cleveland.
No, it's the same. Cleveland got the uniforms stats and logos, the team went to Baltimore. Expansion teams are not the same as established winning teams. Except for teams that got sweet heart deals from the league like Jacksonville and Carolina, expansion teams are known for one thing- about 20 years of losing before the win. The old Browns, SB title lacking or not, were never steady losers and were consistantly in the playoffs. Give me Elway's uniform but that doesn't make me Elway.
i grew up and live in Seattle.....the BALTIMORE Colts will always be my one and only pro team.....I will hate Robert Irsay (who i once met at a Seattle Seahawks game in the late 70s drunk and staggering) until the day I die......... at least Modell had the decency to leave Cleveland it's history..........
Where I can understand your feelings. Art Modell didn’t willingly leave the history in Cleveland. There was a big fight to do so. I mean, Art and his wife Pat, were very philanthropic people. However, it really broke my heart that the city of Cleveland and he couldn’t communicate better about a new stadium. Whereas I don’t blame you for being mad at Bob Irsay for moving the Colts and taking everything with him. I do blame you for some other things. I mean, Baltimore, not personally, you. Having the will to push Art to bring his team to you. I know, there’s an argument there, too. However, losing your team, you should have some compassion for our feelings. Al Lerner would’ve been a good owner in your town. I also blame the NFL for not blocking the move. At the end of the day, we should all be happy that we have teams. Also, hopefully, you can forgive Irsay for what he did, too.
And Baltimore is still crying. Long after winning 2 super bowls and long after the Colts have been in Indianapolis longer than they were ever in Baltimore. Its our team.
CLEVELAND HAVING ITS HEART RIPPED OUT???? What a joke!!!!!! Cleveland got a MUCH!!!!! sweeter deal than Baltimore and did not have to wait 12 goddamn years to get an NFL team!!!!!!
Bob used to come up into section 34 upper level at Memorial Stadium with his coat and tie, he’d open up his jacket and the liner had multiple Baltimore Colts writing.....it was cool to sit in my season ticket holder seats with the owner....the city should have built him a new stadium....
Baltimore should have been the team saddled with the inferior expansion team, not Cleveland. Instead Baltimore got the established Cleveland Browns franchase and it's tradition of fielding a consistant winner, and in effect stole the Super bowl from Cleveland.
Cadillac Glenn I live in Indianapolis and it was a horseshit way for us to get your team. Bob Irsay was a lowdown drunk who should have at least let Baltimore keep the COLTS name. The thing that infuriated me the most is when I see locals wearing Colts gear where it says “Indianapolis Colts” established 1953! Ridiculous & just who in the hell do we think we are doing that???
I envy both cities of Baltimore and Cleveland for one reason... They are both so closely associated with their football teams, and there was such a rich history that bring the two sides together. To have a pro football team that a city can identify as its own is great. Living in Los Angeles, we don't have that. Never really did. The Rams were from cleveland and the raiders were from Oakland. I wish to god we had NFL Football. But we don't, and haven't for nearly 20 years. Both cities are lucky.
I am a die hard Indianapolis Colts fan. I was also a Baltimore Colts fan...I can honestly see things from both sides here. Regarding the move to Indy. I have read a lot about it. My heart goes out to all the Baltimore Colts fans. Having your team taken away from you has to be excruciating as a fan. The fans are the ones who support the teams in the first place. That being said... the city attempting to size the team from the owner...what a bone headed move. Both sides should have been able to work things out but obviously failed to do so. What did the city expect Irsay to do? Just sit back and let it happen? What business owner would? I wasn't a fan of Bob Irsay as he had no idea how to run a football team. We had to endure some very painful years the first few in Indy and it obviously panned out for us and eventually Baltimore. I think the NFL has learned a valuable lesson on franchises with some of the developments in the later years. A couple of points I would like to make for those who love to hate here on the move to Indy and the records dilemma... regarding the move...keep in mind the Baltimore Colts came from another town themselves.... the defunct Dallas Texans...granted not a long history and tradition like the move to Indy being lost.....and with the team in Baltimore now coming from Cleveland it seems kinda hypocritical of those who points the finger at Indianapolis but at the same time are huge Ravens fans. Regarding the records... I couldn't agree more.....the records should stay in Baltimore.... I can't imagine why they should still be in Indy... one other point....regarding the logo...the talk about returning the logo to Baltimore I would be dead set against that. Initially when the team moved to Indy...that would have been the time to do that. We have built our own history here so it's way past time for that. My take on all of this....lots of pain many went thru....but it's in the past.... return the records pre Indy era to Baltimore where they belong. Baltimore has the Ravens we have the Colts.... move on from the past.
Yes but you can also say that the colts franchise did it the wrong way by lying and sneaking out of town in the cover of darnkess. The fans didn't even know what was going on. And the NFL kept them out of the dark of a team until Art Model came in 1996.
RavenGames101 Stole the Colts? Stole the Colts!? They were HIS TEAM. If I own a house and I throw the best parties in the whole neighborhood and then one day I decide to put my house on some wheels and drive off into the sunset you can't say I stole the house. All you can do is sit and whine like a little bitch, which is what Baltimore did.
Now, I don't know how this works, so I've been curious.. My question has always been: If they were going to use eminent domain and they knew Irsay was going to take the team and run, why didn't they do it sooner?
The timeline likely would have been accelerated, where the team's necessary property would have been stored out of state with directions on where to move coming later.
Team owner urgently moved his large asset to avoid unfair repossession, so it was a normal thing to do. If fans felt so bad about it, why didn’t they chip in $100 or $200 each for construction of new stadium
alonenjersey the NFL were powerless, still reeling after al Davis won a antitrust suit to allow the raiders to relocate to Los Angeles two years earlier
It's hard to blame him. Memorial stadium in Baltimore was terrible, and the city of Baltimore refused to build a new stadium, so irsay moved his team to a city with a brand new domed stadium
Well, its not a done deal with Farmer's Field, yet. There are still many hurdles to clear. Unfortunately, If a team or two teams come to Los Angeles, that means that one or two other cities will lose their teams. I'm not holding my breath, seeing as how we've heard about the NFL returning to L.A. for nearly 20 years, and nothing has happened. I hope if we do get a team, they change their name & colors so we feel like this team is completely ours. L.A. is a tough town though. they have to win.
Cry me a river. Sports teams MOVE. Ever hear of the New York (Baseball) Giants? Brooklyn Dodgers? Philadelphia Athletics? Chicago Cardinals? and on and on and on... Irsay may not have been the best NFL owner, but the City of Baltimore BOTCHED the whole deal and your fair city deserved to lose them... and honestly, once you take a storied team from another city (Cleveland) your cries and moans lose every bit of what little merit they had!!! I'm so sick of the city of Baltimore (Baltimore!!!) thinking they were raped so badly when anyone who followed this knows this was not the case. On second thought, Irsay may have been the SMARTEST NFL owner to get the hell out of dodge before the Legislature tries to seize your business for a brand new stadium and a 20 year FREE lease. That's a no brainer. Get over yourself Baltimore, you're not special because you lost a Professional football team which is technically nothing more than an sports entertainment business.
BTW, I think in a year or two, the Colts will have been in Indy LONGER than they were in Baltimore. 1953-1983 (Baltimore) 1984 - Present and Future (Indy) Yep, so suck on in Baltimore. Whahahahahaah
Baltimore has FIVE NFL Championships,> Toe NFL Championships , and THREE Super Bowls. Throw in three world series championships in baseball. WHat does Indianoplace have? One Super Bowl, NO NBA championships, and no baseball team.
Just want to set the record straight... My hometown did put together a sweet financial and stadium package together after the Colts left and presented this sweetheart deal to the NFL twice over the 13 years ... The NFL expanse 2 times.. And rejected our money and ready made stadium( now called M&T Bank Stadium) and chose Jacksonville Florida and Carolina over expansion back to Baltimore... In fact Commissioner Tagliabue said " Baltimore should take the all that money and build an art museum"... Then expanded to Florida and Carolina... Baltimore had and still has a world class art museum ..that at that time just had King Tuts artifacts on display ..at the time an international phenom as the exhibits were on display domestically for the first time... So after 12 years of being insulted by the NFL... And being used as a pawn... We let it be known that we had a ready made stadium and money in place... So we waited and Modell got to the point where he was ready move. And we let him... But on one condition.. Let Cleveland keep it's heritage... We did not want The name Browns.. We knew by this time that it was a game. And had to stop being nieve
@@jessebrown8574 Taglianoob was in cahoots with Jack Kent Cooke, who claimed Baltimore as part of the Washington Potato Skins market. Taglianoob essentially goaded Baltimore into taking a team from another city. Ironically, Art Modell voted against the Colts moving to Indy and tried to stop Irsay from doing so. Here's a quote from Model lhimself back in 1984: "We can't hopscotch franchises around the country. We have built this business on the trust of fans. If we treat that as if it doesn't count, it isn't going to wash." He was the most vocal opponent of the Colts move to Indy. It shows how much of a hypocrite Modell was. Don't get me wrong. I agree with you that Baltimore got hosed on the 1995 expansion. I don't get why Browns fans aren't as angry at Taglianoob, who essentially told Baltimore "If you want an NFL team, you better steal one from another city." That's exactly what Baltimore and Modell did. I wish Baltimore and Jacksonville got an expansion team, and that Modell sold the Browns in 1995.
By saying it was not alright for the colts to move to Indy but alright for the browns to move to Baltimore reminds me of the kid who cried because he got bullied and later went on to give the same bullying done to him to other kids.
We didn't steal the damn Colts we thought we were getting an expansion team. we got up the next morning. and heard The Colts are Here.. and guess what, we didn't want them. we had allready had a contest in the Indy Star to name our new team and it wasn't Colts and Jim Irsey Sucks!
Timothy, I completely agree with you and I was over it back in 1996. Two SB is just icing on the cake. I'm still pissed how Jerk-say handled the whole thing--he was such a coward. I LOVE my Ravens and wouldn't trade them for anything. GO RAVES!
and btw the fact that we got sued for over name (btw we shouldve corner sued then for copy the baltimore stallions logo look it up im sure yall would see what im talking about denver) that right there showed everyone the nfl doesnt want baltimore to have a team in any league
Yes 90s, Art Modell was intentionally keeping the team lacking in order to soften the move. From 1946 to 1994, the Browns won 8 NFL Championships, were in playoffs 27 times, had only one losing season in their first 25 years as a team- yes they went sour in the 1970s all because of inept moves by Art Modell. Paul Browns players were gone by then. Team was one of the winningest teams of the 80s only 81 83 and 84 were without post season. That Browns team is in Baltimore, not Cleveland.
I agree. Then we could accept an expansion team losing. That's what expansion teams do, they lose a lot in their first 15 20 seasons, except for the two teams that got sweet heart deals, Jacksonville and Carolina, all modern exp. teams have started out losers. When they came back as the Browns, a lot fans from other teams didn't see them as expansion, just a return of the Browns. And all this expansion losing gets tagged on the old winning franchise. I can switch uniforms with Mantle but...
This was entirely the fault of corrupt politicians trying to abuse eminent domain
Exactly! Politicians suck
True, and Baltimore Deserved to Lose the Colts anyway!!!
This was Robert fault
@@adamdorgant9454yup your right they didn't deserve us and the ravens wayyyyyyyy better
@@adamdorgant9454Exactly. Corrupt politicians, a stadium that was literally falling down, and a hostile fourth estate? I’d take my ball and go home, too
"Eminent domain THIS!" - Bob Irsay
Straight up. NFL teams are now billion dollar businesses. Could you imagine a city trying such garbage now? Baltimore has ZERO rights to tell Irsay how to run his business or what to do with it. Any smart person would bolt out of there too!
Holy crap - emminent domain on a team of human beings. What an insane abuse of government seizure of private property.
@@doolindanger2459 they had every right. Lol of course you side with the giant corporation over the community.
@@doolindanger2459 -- Once the bill was about to be passed, a decision had to be made that night.
"It still hurts!".... But happily accepted the browns moving from Cleveland. Another community having its heart ripped out
...the Browns did come back to Cleveland as an NFL expansion team in 1998.
Yea but Cleveland had a chance and blew it. They had to build a new stadium anyways for a team that would be sorry for 20 plus years. I will say till the day I die the Colts move to Indy was the worst.
@@boogitybear2283 Its like Washington baseball fans, cried over the Senators leaving, but willing to accept the Expos having their heart ripped out over Canada.
@@rockvilleraven 48-yr old Springfield man in Phoenix Arizona for a few decades totally agrees with you! Ryan Zimmerman and the Nats FINALLY did it in 2019.. the last champion of the decade!!
As much as I don't like the corporate welfare of asking for public funds for stadiums, I figure if we have to fund WELFARE MAMAS as if it's a national emergency due to so-called "toxic" masculinity, just charge the extra two or three percent for a little while for me to keep my sports team!
PS--I see Rockville in your alias, and I got to say, that some of the best days of my life were in Rockville, Maryland when I was a resident at the end of the 20th century.
The Browns' players, coaching staff, and front office moved to Baltimore, BUT the team history remained in Cleveland, where the franchise was suspended for 3 seasons.
If you Love the Colts why don’t you treat me right, He had a valid point
Taxpayers shouldn't have to pay for billionaire owners little toys. Robert Irsay was a cheap SOB
It was the infamous John Elway trade to the Broncos that triggered the Colts to leave Baltimore.
All of Irsay's demands were reasonable. The politicians of Baltimore and Maryland took the team for granted. For years Irsay threatened to move the team, and all he wanted was stadium improvements. The politicians did not give him anything, and the fans abandoned the team. He did not "sneak out" in the middle of the night as it is often repeated in Baltimore. As a kid, I was devastated when the team left and for years I believe that Irsay did us wrong. Looking back, I now understand why he left. You're telling me that the state and city could not improve Memorial Stadium but 12 years later they found the money to built a state-of-the-art NFL stadium? In the end, it turned out to be the best thing for Baltimore. They got a new stadium and 2 Super Bowls.
+Jake Alden They also got to keep their beloved baseball franchise which was also threatening to move. After the Colts ditched Baltimore Maryland politicians went into "oh shit" mode and desperately started work on legislation to make the Orioles happy.
I recall the City agreeing to make improvements if Irsay would sign a long term lease, but Irsay refused.The one thing they should have given him was a 1:00 start time for home games. Due top churches in the area where mem Stadium was, games could notstart before 2:00 on Sunday, and that hurt, as Colts could not get national TV exposure unless they played at 4:00
Reasobale?? Irsay was anything but reasonable. He would say one thing one day, and something contradictory the next. Irsay was widely considered the worst owner in all sports, even worse than Bidwell and Leonard Tose. That is saying something.
Jake Alden The Colts name and history should be returned to Baltimore, which is what happened when the Browns left Cleveland.
But they never deserved either.
Everybody wants to blame the fans and yes the fan support waned in the later Baltimore years but Irsay wrecked that franchise during his tenure in Baltimore. They went from being one of the NFL's most proud franchises to a big fat joke. 7 different head coaches, ultra cheap and was very unreasonable and hard to get along with. That's why John Elway refused to play for Baltimore.
Allen Greene Not to mention Irsay calling plays from the the press box, Unitas being traded by that POS of a GM Joe Thomas, and then in the early 80s Bert Jones being pretty much run out of town. And people blame the fans of Baltimore for not supporting the team?That's known as running a team into the ground, which is what happened here in Seattle when Clay Bennett purchased the Supersonics then moved them to Oklahoma City.
Irsay didn't move the Colts, Baltimore moved the Colts.
That stadium was a dump, what he was asking for was pretty fair. Pay for upgrades to a stadium owned by the city and shared with another team, pay for entry to pre-season games, and 1pm start times. Everything you hear there is now commonplace in the NFL, yet Baltimore lacked the foresight to realize that.
Baltimore could not afford to build a new stadium. However, the eminent domain issue forced the issue. It was down to Phoenix and Indianapolis, and Indy was building the Hoosier Dome without a committed tenant at the time. Phoenix would get a team 4 years later when the St. Louis Football Cardinals moved there.
Reading about the Colts move to Indianapolis years later, Baltimore Deserved to Lose the Colts, and why, the city of Baltimore no longer supported the team, and the main reason why, Because Baltimore was Stupid enough not to build a new stadium for the Colts, besides, Memorial Stadium was not a fit stadium for Modern Football anyway, no wonder the Colts moved to Indianapolis!!!
@@AEMoreira81 True!!!
Funny how Baltimore built a football and a baseball stadium since where did they come up with the money they didn't have before?
@@michaelleroy9281 I was wondering the same thing!!!!
Amen brother from a diehard Browns fan,
The franchise wasn’t established in 1953. They are the descendants of the Dayton Triangles who played in the 1920s though the NFL doesn’t recognize it as such.
They are the remains of the woeful Dallas Texans of 1952 who went out of business after that season
Here after Colts gave up the largest comeback in NFL history. Glad to know Bob Irsay is rolling in his grave.
browns kept their history and team name, they just needed to wait a few years. my grandparents were HUGE colts fans and they always tell me all kinds of stories about those days with johnny u and shit, and i gotta say people in baltimore really were passionate about the colts, this town is crazy about football and to have that legacy stolen from you has to hurt. i know if the ravens snuck out overnight id probably follow them just cuz im such a huge fan, and id hate to have it taken from me
It does not matter what type of team you put in Baltimore. Every team has been a winner!! NFL Colts, USFL Stars, CFL Stallions, NFL Ravens all World Champions. Put that in your shine box!!!
He claim he didnot get love from bmore I guess his alcoholism was get bad. 2 superbowl who the laughing stock now!!!!
The Baltimore Orioles, 1983.
Baltimore is better off keeping the Ravens versus the Colts even though the Colts should return to Baltimore.
I'm sure it's great having good sports teams while you're getting murdered. I'd never even visit the place, when the citizens make it thr murder capital of the country, you know they're trash.
The move was the fault of Baltimore. They basically said to Irsay "Not only are we not going to give you a new stadium, we're going to make a law that will force you to stay in Baltimore and play in that shit hole stadium"
Kim Martin he didn't say that
Ryan Carlisle Unitas DID say he would not be associated with the Colts after they moved to Indianapolis.
It wasn’t them moving that hurt so many fans but the fact that Irsay did it all of a sudden in secret.
As much as I despise Robert Irsay I have to agree that Baltimore City and Maryland State government didn't do us Colts fans any favors---DinoHunter56's comments are spot on. The city and state politicians were as much to blame as anyone.
"If you love the colts, why don't you treat me, right?" If Baltimore really wanted the colts, they should've demolished memorial stadium, or at least improve it
I'm a Falcons fan, but after seeing the 30 for 30, my heart broke for the Baltimore fans. One day, I have to run around the former location of Memorial Stadium. With all of the old ghosts.
Baltimore sports fans hate Robert Irsay but they love Art Modell!
The Irony....I doubt they understand what you even mean....lol
Art Modell at least never tried to sneak out the Browns at night and told everyone that he was moving the team
Different scenarios. Irsay kept saying that he was not leaving then snuck out of town. The city of Cleveland treated Modell like a bank, hitting him up for $ anytime some business was in trouble. He asked for a new Stadium but got the Heisman while the Indians and Cavaliers got new buildings. Then got the Heisman again while Civic leaders in Cleveland pledged $65 million in public money to fund the construction of the Rock & Roll HOF. That was pretty much the last straw for Modell. BUT he was classy enough to leave the Browns name, colors and records in Cleveland for a future team. The Cleveland City Leaders basically forced Modell to leave. THAT'S who Brown fans should have been mad at, not Modell. Irsay, on the other hand was just a lying asshole who Colts fans had a legitimate reason to hate.
They refused to fix the stadium for the Colts, but built a new one fort the Ravens.... WTF is that.
@@Russ_Hoops Baltimore and the state of Maryland forced Irsay to run with the team in the middle of the night. You can't pretend Cleveland did worse than TRYING TO STEAL THE TEAM FROM THE MAN WHO OWNED IT!
Irsay was a jerk...but he had every right to do what he did. The city would not give him anything. He tried for years and the city kept refusing to make the stadium better. Baltimore politicians knew he was going to take the team. It hurt when the Colts left town, but we should blame those in power and not Bob Irsay. Likewise, the city of Cleveland should be angry with their politicians and not Art Modell.
Irsay and the Colts gave Baltimore 12 long years to make improvements to memorial stadium or build a new one. In the seventies Irsay started talking to other cities about relocating HIS FOOTBALL CLUB but it wasn't until Baltimore threatened to seize Irsay's property that Irsay left. The midnight run, that was caused by Maryland politicians voting on a bill that would have taken control of the Colts away from Irsay: the man who spent nearly 20 million to gain ownership of the Colts.
Irsay was obviously going to move the team by that point. he was using each city's bid against the other to extract best deal---Indy and Phoenix. The eminent domain bill just made him pull the trigger.
Baltimore has turned into a polished turd.
Let’s be honest: Robert Irsay was planning to move to Indianapolis for years. He waited until the Hoosier Dome was finished before he made the move.
@@loyaldude10 -- The eminent domain bill forced the move immediately though. The Colts were intentionally signing only one-year leases.
Robert Irsay IS THE MOST HATED MAN EVER IN BALTIMORE'S HISTORY. PERIOD.
You did this to yourself. Eminent domain should not have been used this way
And the patriots r the most hated team in Indiana sports history which is prolly why most Hoosiers no matter how much ravens fans hate the Indy colts. Would’ve rather seen them in downtown Indy over pats fans in 2012. Ps Indy hated bob irsay with a passion too. As a fan I’m glad he never won a playoff game.
What would you choose run down Memorial Stadium or brand new Hoosier Dome
At least the Browns kept their history, franchise, and all of that...The Colts were taken from us in the middle of the night, unknowingly. This was way more vile than that...
Modell was forced to leave all that in Cleveland because of lawsuits. He didn't do it out of the goodness from his heart.
The guy who said "I just can't believe this is happening" is my dad. My mom just showed me this. lol All we can say now is good riddance. GO RAVENS!
BananaPancakes7 Browns 😑
Go colts Baltimore got what it deserved refusing to fix up that shitty stadium and trying to take the team away from the Irsays which is BS annoying how the assholes of Baltimore make the Irsays look like the bad guys which is false
@@robertholbrook5873 moving a team out in the middle of the night was dirty and you know it. This was my dad's favorite team since he was a kid. Robert Irsay was a terrible human being and his son isn't much better.
Still remember this and remember thinking how embarrassing it was. I still can’t believe the league allowed it.
Watch other videos. For years Irsay needed a new stadium. Legislature passed so many laws banning public tax dollars to fund anything. All the money they generated for the city and nothing to show. Free capitalism - a better deal somewhere else you gotta seize the initiative and take a risk. Or the government abuses emminent domain to steal your private property.
@@SWIFTO_SCYTHE -- And back then, because of the inadequacies of the stadium, both the Ravens and Orioles were going year-to-year on leases. The best plan was ultimately rejected by the legislature some years before. Knowing this, the league had pretty much let Irsay move the team to a city of his choosing weeks before. Six cities had bid, and it was down to two...Phoenix and Indianapolis. The eminent domain bill scared off Phoenix (the team would have shared Sun Devil Stadium with ASU), but not Indianapolis, where the mayor just happened to live next to the owner of Mayflower Transit.
Why wasn't something done about Memorial Stadium?
Legislature did not want to spend tax money on it. Passed laws forbidding the use of funds the stadium and team generated on themselves. Greedy politicians needed their fur coats and fat wallets.
Anyone who complains about Art Modell's move should see this.
They left at night because they couldn't get out fast enough
This is why Mayflower is the least popular moving company in Baltimore.
In the end it worked out for both cities.
yeah but not without controversies.
By no means do I like the Ravens, but what Irsay did to the city is damnable by all means. My dad, still to this day, would pee on Irsay's grave if he knew where he was buried. That's how much people hate that family in Baltimore. No team has ever left a city in the way the Colts did Baltimore. Not even the Browns when they came to Baltimore.
Aside from the midnight moving trucks, Modell basically did the same thing by telling the city and the news that the team was going no leave Cleveland, even after there were documents that surfaced about the deal he would sign in Baltimore and with a referendum already on the ballot to be voted on in less then a week to improve the stadium that HE had 100% control over, unlike publicly owned stadiums that you see today, Art Modell may have done a lot of good for the city of Cleveland up to that point but after that I don't think he ever had the balls to come back to Cleveland....
The only teams that are really openly on the verge of moving are:
Jacksonville
San Diego
Buffalo (although they may move to Toronto, not LA)
St. Louis
Minnesota has their new field in planning stages right now. And where do you get Houston moving anywhere? Houston in 10 years of being an expansion franchise has gone miles and away higher than Cleveland. The Ravens aren't leaving Baltimore and their nice M&T Bank Stadium for some time.
You were right about San Diego
U know Cleveland got the Browns back and Baltimore Ravens won the Super Bowl.This should all be water under the bridge.
It should be this was 1984
40 years ago 😭😭 I’m only 30 and I can’t fathom how this can happen the 50’s through 80s was a different time 😭😭💀😂
Taxpayers are NOT obliged to fund new stadiums. I'm sure Irsay was very rich but stingy about using any of his own money.
Mark Muffs Teams are not
Obliged to stay in a city as well.
If a city is unwilling to maintain a healthy private-public partnership (that eniment domain stunt Maryland pulled was horrible and they paid the price for it) then they don't deserve to have a professional sports team.
Owners weren't as rich then as they are now. The eminent domain issue was the proverbial straw.
Honestly it all started with a bad move from the city of Baltimore trying to take away ownership from the owner who bought the team. What else was he supposed to do? 100 out of 100 people would do the same. Stupid government robbing a citizen thats what that was. Imagine if the government was trying to take your rightfully owned property and it would all go away if you could move your property, wouldn't you do it?
I've read that the deal for the stadium near Staples Center was done. You could get the Chargers or Rams if they don't renovate their stadiums, or an expansion team.
No doubt. I agree. I am surprised the Jaguars or the Texans haven't moved already. I think there are only a select few teams that will never have to move to a new city like the Dallas Cowboys, Pittsburgh Steelers, or the Washington Redskins.
And the Green Bay Packers
Not the Texans they have a great stadium
Jags should’ve moved to stl when they had the chance
The Colts left Baltimore in 1984... and have won one superbowl. The Ravens have been in Baltimore since 1996... and have won 2 Superbowls. You can keep the Colts... we'll take the Rings. RAVENS NATION!!!!
The worst owner all time
Give me a break. If you loved the team so much, you should have tried to keep it and not had the government try to steal it away from its owner. And Baltimore had no problem ripping the heart out of Cleveland and taking their team when it became their turn. So no sympathies for you whatsoever, Baltimore.
Hey at least they didn't have to wait for like 10 years to get another team.
They did try to keep it. The owner was snobby and was a two timing son of a bitch. He had no class. And the commisoner didn't want a team in baltimore for some reason because he wouldn't allow a team to go back there until 1996. You cant blame the fans on this one because they sold out every football game.
Halo Maker 30 if Baltimore city leaders had so much class themselves, they wouldn't have forced their previous owner, Carroll Rosembloom, to to do a owner-swap with the L.A. Rams in 1972 because he had gotten fed up with Baltimore officials obstructing his attempts to build a new stadium, something Irsay realized all too acutely and reacted even worse to when he became owner. So no, don't try and rewrite history that Baltimore and Maryland legislators weren't overly stingy in the years leading up to Irsay's sudden departure. Google Question P that was put on the city ballot in 1974 by a city comptrollor who used guise of patriotism that Memorial Stadium being named after fallen WWII veterans would be disrespectful if a new multi-purpose proposed stadium, the Baltodome, was passed and built. Baltimore had a tremendously successful winning franchise that played in a stadium, that was crumbling and falling apart that Colts fans mythologize. I find it ironic that back in the 60's and 70's most Colts fans didn't seem to hold Baltimore city leaders to the same scrutiny for their own stubbornness, obstructive attitudes as much as you hated Irsay for ruining their teams. In fact, if anything, you seemed to all fall in line quietly and never question your city and state leaders for their own failings to keep the Colts in Baltimore back then. In some respects, most Baltimore residents got as complacent as their politicians did expecting their great Colts teams to win yearly despite playing in a shitty, 4th-rate stadium that was falling apart. I notice a lack of vocal criticism aimed at William Shaefer, Baltimore's former mayor, for his complacency back then as well. Shaefer at least learned from that experience that complacency, lack of assertiveness, wasn't going to bring a new NFL team to Baltimore and that's why his actions as Md.'s governor in the early-mid 1990's were the complete opposite then his time as mayor in 1984. And also, let's be honest, Md.'s always had a bit of a stigma of being poor and inept in bringing new businesses to the state. generating new income by being stingy, with stubborn legislators being reluctant at times to be flexible, and reasonable to business and corporations sometimes that might've brought much-needed income and jobs to the state.
Rosenbloom made the swap to avoid paying capitol gains taxes!!!
I bet Cleveland fans would be wishing they waited 20 years for a team if it meant their team not sucking for 20 years an winning a Super Bowl with someone else’s owner, gm, and a few of their players. Let alone winning another one from scratch.
I understand your argument. However, I think you missed my point. If Baltimore had the decision to take the Browns team and become the Ravens or bring the Colts back to Baltimore, the people would have chosen the Colts. Its more than just the General Manager, Coaches, and Players. People have memories of what the Colts symbolized. Wouldn't Cleveland feel even worse if they had to root for an entirely new franchise? Furthermore, the only winning season Cleveland had in the 90's was in '94..
Still hurts! 😢
Same thing in Cleveland they did nothing about the Mistake on the Lake
On the other hand, Art Modell IS the most revered person in Baltimore's history.
Who cares
Yet I’d like to point out because we Hoosiers don’t think any owner who moves his or her team deserves a championship. We could care less about people dedicating on Bob irsays grave. Wish more fans were like this.
I was born and raised in Northern Indiana. The INDIANAPOLIS Colts will always be my team
As a diehard fan you’d better have wished the ravens were n the Super Bowl. REAL Hoosier colts fans have hated the patriots since birth and before hating them was cool and will hate them 4 life more then any team in the nfl.
It was paying for preseason games and having games start at 1:00. Colts home games started at 2:00 back then because there was a law in Maryland at the time that no sporting event could start before 2:00 on Sundays.
Funny now that ordinance is now repealed
I predict the same thing happens to Seattle with their Supersonics.
Dude just shut up, there is no way the Ravens aren't leaving town. They are here to say.
In 1992 I was working for J&J in Orlando, promoted, and relocating to Jacksonville. My boss let me know that a representative from our corporate mover would be stopping by to do a pre-move estimate. The next evening my doorbell rings and when I open the door there are two people standing there. My reaction was to immediatel close the door.
The next day my boss called and asks, "I got a call from corporate, what the hell happened last night?" I took a moment and said he woudn't understand. He said, "Try me. Because, otherwise, you'll have to pay for the move yourself." I explained that I had grown up in Towson and had grown up a diehard Balmer Coats fan. When I opened the door and saw two Mayflower representatives I was transported back to March 29, 1984 and those vans pulling out of Owings Mill in the early morning darkness and snow. The day my heart was broken and I stopped watching the NFL. After explaining my actions my boss paused, then said, "My dad is from Brooklyn. He never got over the Dodgers moving to LA. Let me make a few calls and see what we can work out." So, I was moved to Jacksonville. Not by Mayflower. Didn't have to pay for it myself. And, only started watching the NFL again when the city was awarded the Jaguars. I had not watched the NFL from 1984 until 1995. But its not the same as my love for the Colts. Saw them in Westminister and one glorious summer was able to ride my bike from Rodgers Forge to Towson State Teachers College to see them practice just off Osler Drive.
Still have pangs when I see those horseshoes on the helmets of that team from Indianapolis. I still have my Colts Coke and Sprite bottle caps. I kept them instead of turning the full set in for a set of NFL mini-helmets.
Last year I'm watching a nationally broadcast Ravens game and after a Ravens I heard something threw me off. I thought I heard the Baltimore Colts Fight Song. Sure enough that's what I heard, but it had now been transitioned into the Ravens fight song.
I still have never watched a replay or highlights from SB III.
Should have been preparing for this the rumors started in 1979
Cleveland would have done anything for Model to keep the old Browns, including building a new staduim. Model told the city he didn't want a new one and he wanted to remodel the old one instead. He lied because he wanted to leave. Model left because he was being blamed for all the bad moves and trades and people were giving him disrespect. He wanted to feel loved, and he knew bringing a team to a city without one would do that. I could elaborate a lot more but their they don't give enough.room.
I feel that’s more true of the fans than the politicians. The latter should’ve made better communication with Art. I feel Art was very philanthropic, but had trouble with his own money. It’s all a shame on how it happened! Don’t worry I do find Baltimore and the NFL for what happened.
Like father Like Son. I guess it runs in the family
Wrong, Baltimore's Ravens are a carpetbagger team. They took the legacy of winning to Baltimore. Check the old Brown. Consistantly in the playoff. Won four championships in their first 8 seasons in the NFL Now the organization that produced that is in Baltimore. We're left with a name and colors and a team that loses so much that it is the Joke of the NFL. You can give me John Waynes cloths but it don't make me the Duke. Every super bowl and playoff in Baltimore belonged to Cleveland.
It still drive me nuts that the Colts were taken away from Baltimore, MD.
Because Baltimore was Stupid enough not to build a new stadium for the Colts!!!
No, it's the same. Cleveland got the uniforms stats and logos, the team went to Baltimore. Expansion teams are not the same as established winning teams. Except for teams that got sweet heart deals from the league like Jacksonville and Carolina, expansion teams are known for one thing- about 20 years of losing before the win. The old Browns, SB title lacking or not, were never steady losers and were consistantly in the playoffs. Give me Elway's uniform but that doesn't make me Elway.
i grew up and live in Seattle.....the BALTIMORE Colts will always be my one and only pro team.....I will hate Robert Irsay (who i once met at a Seattle Seahawks game in the late 70s drunk and staggering) until the day I die.........
at least Modell had the decency to leave Cleveland it's history..........
No more Baltimore Colts
Where I can understand your feelings. Art Modell didn’t willingly leave the history in Cleveland. There was a big fight to do so. I mean, Art and his wife Pat, were very philanthropic people. However, it really broke my heart that the city of Cleveland and he couldn’t communicate better about a new stadium. Whereas I don’t blame you for being mad at Bob Irsay for moving the Colts and taking everything with him. I do blame you for some other things. I mean, Baltimore, not personally, you. Having the will to push Art to bring his team to you. I know, there’s an argument there, too. However, losing your team, you should have some compassion for our feelings. Al Lerner would’ve been a good owner in your town. I also blame the NFL for not blocking the move. At the end of the day, we should all be happy that we have teams. Also, hopefully, you can forgive Irsay for what he did, too.
Livin in the past huh?
I love how the name Ursey is the worst name to hear in Baltimore
And Baltimore is still crying. Long after winning 2 super bowls and long after the Colts have been in Indianapolis longer than they were ever in Baltimore. Its our team.
CLEVELAND HAVING ITS HEART RIPPED OUT???? What a joke!!!!!! Cleveland got a MUCH!!!!! sweeter deal than Baltimore and did not have to wait 12 goddamn years to get an NFL team!!!!!!
We DID ask for an expansion franchise,The league duped us by giving a team to Charlotte and Jacksonville.
pay for pre-season games, 1 o clock starts, stadium improvements. i wasnt aware minimal NFL standards were considered ridiculous demands in Baltimore
Makes me feel better to be in DC instead of Baltimore.
Having fun with Daniel Snyder as your owner?
Bob used to come up into section 34 upper level at Memorial Stadium with his coat and tie, he’d open up his jacket and the liner had multiple Baltimore Colts writing.....it was cool to sit in my season ticket holder seats with the owner....the city should have built him a new stadium....
what about when the Brooklyn Dodgers left for Los Angeles
And the Giants for San Francisco
@@michaelleroy9281 yep, New York lost TWO baseball teams in one fell swoop
Baltimore should have been the team saddled with the inferior expansion team, not Cleveland. Instead Baltimore got the established Cleveland Browns franchase and it's tradition of fielding a consistant winner, and in effect stole the Super bowl from Cleveland.
Is the bob irsay doll still around?
Long live the BALTIMORE COLTS
Cadillac Glenn
I live in Indianapolis and it was a horseshit way for us to get your team. Bob Irsay was a lowdown drunk who should have at least let Baltimore keep the COLTS name.
The thing that infuriated me the most is when I see locals wearing Colts gear where it says “Indianapolis Colts” established 1953! Ridiculous & just who in the hell do we think we are doing that???
Long live the INDIANAPOLIS COLTS
Are they still alive?
I envy both cities of Baltimore and Cleveland for one reason... They are both so closely associated with their football teams, and there was such a rich history that bring the two sides together. To have a pro football team that a city can identify as its own is great. Living in Los Angeles, we don't have that. Never really did. The Rams were from cleveland and the raiders were from Oakland. I wish to god we had NFL Football. But we don't, and haven't for nearly 20 years. Both cities are lucky.
Update 2020 LA got the Rams and Chargers back but once again from other cities
I am a die hard Indianapolis Colts fan. I was also a Baltimore Colts fan...I can honestly see things from both sides here. Regarding the move to Indy. I have read a lot about it. My heart goes out to all the Baltimore Colts fans. Having your team taken away from you has to be excruciating as a fan. The fans are the ones who support the teams in the first place. That being said... the city attempting to size the team from the owner...what a bone headed move. Both sides should have been able to work things out but obviously failed to do so. What did the city expect Irsay to do? Just sit back and let it happen? What business owner would? I wasn't a fan of Bob Irsay as he had no idea how to run a football team. We had to endure some very painful years the first few in Indy and it obviously panned out for us and eventually Baltimore. I think the NFL has learned a valuable lesson on franchises with some of the developments in the later years. A couple of points I would like to make for those who love to hate here on the move to Indy and the records dilemma... regarding the move...keep in mind the Baltimore Colts came from another town themselves.... the defunct Dallas Texans...granted not a long history and tradition like the move to Indy being lost.....and with the team in Baltimore now coming from Cleveland it seems kinda hypocritical of those who points the finger at Indianapolis but at the same time are huge Ravens fans. Regarding the records... I couldn't agree more.....the records should stay in Baltimore.... I can't imagine why they should still be in Indy... one other point....regarding the logo...the talk about returning the logo to Baltimore I would be dead set against that. Initially when the team moved to Indy...that would have been the time to do that. We have built our own history here so it's way past time for that. My take on all of this....lots of pain many went thru....but it's in the past.... return the records pre Indy era to Baltimore where they belong. Baltimore has the Ravens we have the Colts.... move on from the past.
Yes but you can also say that the colts franchise did it the wrong way by lying and sneaking out of town in the cover of darnkess. The fans didn't even know what was going on. And the NFL kept them out of the dark of a team until Art Model came in 1996.
But you DON'T keep anything like this a secret. At least Art Modell had the decency to ANNOUNCE the move. Shitty Irsay STOLE the Colts.
RavenGames101
Stole the Colts? Stole the Colts!? They were HIS TEAM. If I own a house and I throw the best parties in the whole neighborhood and then one day I decide to put my house on some wheels and drive off into the sunset you can't say I stole the house. All you can do is sit and whine like a little bitch, which is what Baltimore did.
RavenGames101 Baltimore didn't deserve the Colts. You guys didn't want to help them build a new stadium
RavenGames101 happy that a man died? What a classless people
@Pogogunner So what would happen if you saw a Mayflower Truck in Baltimore in Winter? peg it with snowballs?, lol
yup.
Haha
Al Davis started this
The Baltimore Colts will play forever in the hearts and memories of their fans.
Mike Romeo
Author, From the Anthem City
fromtheanthemcity.com/
Now, I don't know how this works, so I've been curious.. My question has always been: If they were going to use eminent domain and they knew Irsay was going to take the team and run, why didn't they do it sooner?
The timeline likely would have been accelerated, where the team's necessary property would have been stored out of state with directions on where to move coming later.
Team owner urgently moved his large asset to avoid unfair repossession, so it was a normal thing to do. If fans felt so bad about it, why didn’t they chip in $100 or $200 each for construction of new stadium
Why did the Baltimore colts leave?
So let me get this straight, the Colts literally left Baltimore in the middle of the night without anybody knowing?
That's right
Not until early the following morning
Believe it or not, the Ravens went to the playoffs more times than the Baltimore Colts. Notice I said Baltimore Colts.
Where the hell was Pete Rozell when this robbery was taking place?
alonenjersey the NFL were powerless, still reeling after al Davis won a antitrust suit to allow the raiders to relocate to Los Angeles two years earlier
Pete Rozelle was no longer commissioner he retired in 1989
@@michaelleroy9281 Well, then Pete Rozelle was still in charge because this is from 1984.
If you think it won't happen again. You aint thinkin' cause it will.
Why did the Baltimore bullets leave?
Because the owner had an arena built in Landover MD, he wanted out of the Baltimore arena
Because the owner had an arena built in Landover MD, he wanted of the old Baltimore Arena
It's hard to blame him. Memorial stadium in Baltimore was terrible, and the city of Baltimore refused to build a new stadium, so irsay moved his team to a city with a brand new domed stadium
2:02 billy cundiff hahah
Baltimore city is never allowed to have a professional baseball team again! That is an ORDER!
@ 1:35 He realized every aspect of what it would do & cause, he just didn't care
Bob Irsay was far from a saint, but the bottom light is it was his team and not the Baltimore's.
Well, its not a done deal with Farmer's Field, yet. There are still many hurdles to clear. Unfortunately, If a team or two teams come to Los Angeles, that means that one or two other cities will lose their teams. I'm not holding my breath, seeing as how we've heard about the NFL returning to L.A. for nearly 20 years, and nothing has happened. I hope if we do get a team, they change their name & colors so we feel like this team is completely ours. L.A. is a tough town though. they have to win.
Cry me a river. Sports teams MOVE. Ever hear of the New York (Baseball) Giants? Brooklyn Dodgers? Philadelphia Athletics? Chicago Cardinals? and on and on and on... Irsay may not have been the best NFL owner, but the City of Baltimore BOTCHED the whole deal and your fair city deserved to lose them... and honestly, once you take a storied team from another city (Cleveland) your cries and moans lose every bit of what little merit they had!!! I'm so sick of the city of Baltimore (Baltimore!!!) thinking they were raped so badly when anyone who followed this knows this was not the case. On second thought, Irsay may have been the SMARTEST NFL owner to get the hell out of dodge before the Legislature tries to seize your business for a brand new stadium and a 20 year FREE lease. That's a no brainer. Get over yourself Baltimore, you're not special because you lost a Professional football team which is technically nothing more than an sports entertainment business.
BTW, I think in a year or two, the Colts will have been in Indy LONGER than they were in Baltimore. 1953-1983 (Baltimore) 1984 - Present and Future (Indy) Yep, so suck on in Baltimore. Whahahahahaah
Baltimore has FIVE NFL Championships,> Toe NFL Championships , and THREE Super Bowls. Throw in three world series championships in baseball. WHat does Indianoplace have? One Super Bowl, NO NBA championships, and no baseball team.
Doolin Danger All that may be true, but we've got the colts bwahahaha!..butthurt
Doolin Danger Clearly you're the one crying seeing how mad you were when you wrote this.
yes sports teams move, but do they just vanish in the snowy night? NO.
And what, 11 years later, Baltimore would do to Cleveland what was done to it.
Just want to set the record straight... My hometown did put together a sweet financial and stadium package together after the Colts left and presented this sweetheart deal to the NFL twice over the 13 years ... The NFL expanse 2 times.. And rejected our money and ready made stadium( now called M&T Bank Stadium) and chose Jacksonville Florida and Carolina over expansion back to Baltimore... In fact Commissioner Tagliabue said " Baltimore should take the all that money and build an art museum"... Then expanded to Florida and Carolina... Baltimore had and still has a world class art museum ..that at that time just had King Tuts artifacts on display ..at the time an international phenom as the exhibits were on display domestically for the first time... So after 12 years of being insulted by the NFL... And being used as a pawn... We let it be known that we had a ready made stadium and money in place... So we waited and Modell got to the point where he was ready move. And we let him... But on one condition.. Let Cleveland keep it's heritage... We did not want The name Browns.. We knew by this time that it was a game. And had to stop being nieve
@@jessebrown8574 Taglianoob was in cahoots with Jack Kent Cooke, who claimed Baltimore as part of the Washington Potato Skins market. Taglianoob essentially goaded Baltimore into taking a team from another city. Ironically, Art Modell voted against the Colts moving to Indy and tried to stop Irsay from doing so. Here's a quote from Model lhimself back in 1984: "We can't hopscotch franchises around the country. We have built this business on the trust of fans. If we treat that as if it doesn't count, it isn't going to wash." He was the most vocal opponent of the Colts move to Indy. It shows how much of a hypocrite Modell was.
Don't get me wrong. I agree with you that Baltimore got hosed on the 1995 expansion. I don't get why Browns fans aren't as angry at Taglianoob, who essentially told Baltimore "If you want an NFL team, you better steal one from another city." That's exactly what Baltimore and Modell did. I wish Baltimore and Jacksonville got an expansion team, and that Modell sold the Browns in 1995.
@@mach6893 Modell was still the owner when the Ravens won SB XXXV over the Giants
@@michaelleroy9281 True, but Tagliabue deserves blame too.
Who starts their games at 2pm now no one
Why is this such a huge deal, yet New Orleans doesn't complain about the Jazz leaving town? I mean, New Orleans waited longer than Baltimore.
By saying it was not alright for the colts to move to Indy but alright for the browns to move to Baltimore reminds me of the kid who cried because he got bullied and later went on to give the same bullying done to him to other kids.
Baltimore betrayed the team, gave them no support, and then they cry murder when the team had no choice but to leave.
We didn't steal the damn Colts we thought we were getting an expansion team. we got up the next morning. and heard The Colts are Here.. and guess what, we didn't want them. we had allready had a contest in the Indy Star to name our new team and it wasn't Colts and Jim Irsey Sucks!
Timothy, I completely agree with you and I was over it back in 1996. Two SB is just icing on the cake. I'm still pissed how Jerk-say handled the whole thing--he was such a coward. I LOVE my Ravens and wouldn't trade them for anything. GO RAVES!
The Colts were in the tank under Irsay except for 75 76 77
and btw the fact that we got sued for over name (btw we shouldve corner sued then for copy the baltimore stallions logo look it up im sure yall would see what im talking about denver) that right there showed everyone the nfl doesnt want baltimore to have a team in any league
a sad day indeed.
Yes 90s, Art Modell was intentionally keeping the team lacking in order to soften the move. From 1946 to 1994, the Browns won 8 NFL Championships, were in playoffs 27 times, had only one losing season in their first 25 years as a team- yes they went sour in the 1970s all because of inept moves by Art Modell. Paul Browns players were gone by then. Team was one of the winningest teams of the 80s only 81 83 and 84 were without post season. That Browns team is in Baltimore, not Cleveland.
Cry babies. That's what you get for using eminent domain to try to take away someone's business.
‘Robert Israel’ moved team im middle of night. oy, what could you expect
Sounds like what Mosmell did and Batimore didn't care about Cleveland.
I agree. Then we could accept an expansion team losing. That's what expansion teams do, they lose a lot in their first 15 20 seasons, except for the two teams that got sweet heart deals, Jacksonville and Carolina, all modern exp. teams have started out losers. When they came back as the Browns, a lot fans from other teams didn't see them as expansion, just a return of the Browns. And all this expansion losing gets tagged on the old winning franchise. I can switch uniforms with Mantle but...