On March 28, 1984, the Baltimore Colts made a shocking move in the middle of the night, relocating the franchise to Indianapolis. The team's owner, Robert Irsay, had been in negotiations with the city of Indianapolis for a new stadium deal, as he was unhappy with the aging Memorial Stadium in Baltimore.
In a covert operation that began late on the evening of March 27, fifteen Mayflower moving trucks arrived at the Colts' training complex in Owings Mills, Maryland. The team's equipment, furniture, and other belongings were quickly loaded onto the trucks. The move was conducted under the cover of darkness to avoid any potential protests or legal actions from the city of Baltimore or the state of Maryland.
By the time the sun rose on March 28, the Colts were gone, leaving behind a stunned and heartbroken fan base in Baltimore. The move sent shockwaves throughout the sports world and remains one of the most controversial franchise relocations in NFL history.
The Colts' departure left Baltimore without an NFL team until 1996, when the Cleveland Browns relocated to the city and became the Baltimore Ravens. The Colts, meanwhile, found success in their new home, winning Super Bowl XLI in 2007 led by quarterback Peyton Manning.
The overnight move of the Colts remains a cautionary tale for cities and fan bases, highlighting the sometimes harsh realities of professional sports franchises and the business decisions that drive them.
