The 1958 Baltimore Colts
Johnny Unitas
Lenny Moore
Photo Credit
Gino Marchetti
Photo Credit
About the Colts
The Baltimore Colts were origionaly founded in 1947. They operated as a franchise until 1950 when they folded for financial reasons. The team was brought back in 1953. From 1953 to 1958 the team was not very succesful. In that timespan they only had two winning seasons, one of them being the 1958 season. Led by coach Weeb Ewbank, the Colts finished their 1958 season with a record of 9-3. This winning record was enough to clinch 1st place in the NFL's western conference and a chance to play the Giants for the championship.
The Colts' biggest weapon of the 1958 season was their quarterback, Johnny Unitas. Unitas was a revolutionary quarterback. He put much more of an emphasis on passing than the traditional quarterback of the time. He even earned the nickname,"The Golden Arm". Unitas grew up in Pittsburgh, then played college football at Lousiville. After college, he returned to his hometown and started his professional career.After a year in Pittsburgh, he spent the majority of his career with the Colts.
Aside from Unitas, the Colts also relied heavily on the talent of Lenny Moore and Raymond Barry in the 1958 season. Both of these men proved to be esential throughout the enitre season and the championship game.
The Colts had a total of 6 future Football Hall of Fame inductees on their roster for the championship game. One of these players was their wide receiver, Raymond Berry who's number 82 was retired by the Baltimore Colts. He was then inducted into the hall of fame in 1973. They also had two defensive linemen inducted into the hall of fame, Art Donovan and Gino Marchetti. Art Donovan had his number 70 retired by the Colts and was inducted into the hall of fame in 1968. Gino Marchetti had his number 89 jersey retired by the Colts, he was a member of the 1972 hall of fame induction class. Their half back/ Wide receiver Lenny Moore had his number 24 retired by the Colts, he was then inducted into the hall of fame in 1975. Their offensive lineman, Jim Parker had his number 77 retired by the Colts and was inducted into the hall of fame in 1973. Their quarterback, number 19 Johnny Unitas also had his jersey retired by the Colts and was inducted into the hall of fame in 1979. In addition to these six players, the Colts head coach, Weeb Ewbank was inducted into the hall of fame in 1978.