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{{short description|Inaugural season for the current Colts franchise}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=November 2013}}

{{Infobox NFL_season
{{Infobox NFL_season
| logo = Baltimore-Colts-mediaguide-1953.jpg
| caption=
| team = Baltimore Colts
| team = Baltimore Colts
| year = 1953
| year = 1953
| record = 3–9
| record = 3–9
| division_place = 5th [[Eastern and Western Divisions (NFL) 1933-69|NFL Western]]
| division_place = 5th [[Eastern and Western Conferences (NFL) 1933–1969|NFL Western]]
| owner = [[Carroll Rosenbloom]] (primary)
| general manager = [[Red Kellett|Don "Red" Kellett]]
| coach = [[Keith Molesworth]]
| coach = [[Keith Molesworth]]
| stadium = [[Memorial Stadium (Baltimore)|Memorial Stadium]]
| stadium = [[Memorial Stadium (Baltimore)|Memorial Stadium]]
| playoffs = ''did not qualify''
| playoffs = ''Did not qualify''
| previous = N/A
| previous = [[1952 Dallas Texans season|1952 Dallas Texans]]
| shortnavlink = Colts seasons
}}
}}

The '''[[1953 NFL season|1953]] [[Indianapolis Colts|Baltimore Colts]] [[Indianapolis Colts seasons|season]]''' was the first season for the team in the [[National Football League]]. The Baltimore Colts finished the [[National Football League]]'s 1953 season with a record of 3 wins and 9 losses and finished fifth in the Western Conference. In 1953, a Baltimore-based group led by [[Carroll Rosenbloom]] won the rights to a new Baltimore franchise. Rosenbloom was granted an NFL team, and was awarded the holdings of the defunct [[Dallas Texans (NFL)|Dallas Texans]] organization. The new team was named the Colts after [[Baltimore Colts (1947-50)|the previous team]] that folded after the [[1950 NFL season]].
The '''{{nfly|1953}} Baltimore Colts season''' was the first season for the [[History of the Baltimore Colts|second Colts franchise]] as a member club of the [[National Football League]] (NFL). The Colts had a record of 3 wins and 9 losses and finished fifth in the Western Conference for the year.

==Background==

The [[Baltimore Colts (1947–1950)|Baltimore Colts]] of the [[All-America Football Conference]] (AAFC) were one of three teams merged with the NFL in 1950, despite having suffered a woeful 1–11 season in [[1949 AAFC season|1949]]. Adding complexity to the prospects of a team with an obvious talent shortage, as the odd 13th team in the league the Colts were given a round-robin schedule in [[1950 NFL season|1950]], meeting every team but the [[Chicago Bears]] one time and allowed a standard home-and-away relationship only with the neighboring [[Washington Redskins]].

A predictable debacle ensued, with the Colts again going 1–11 in 1950. Amidst a sea of red ink, the original AAFC Colts shut down operations, with the team's players distributed to the other 12 teams of the league via the [[1951 NFL draft]].

There would be no professional football in Baltimore during the [[1951 NFL season|1951]] and [[1952 NFL season|1952]] seasons.

With the original [[Dallas Texans (NFL)|Dallas Texans]] franchise a major financial failure in their [[1952 Dallas Texans season|one and only season]] in Dallas, by the end of 1952 it became clear that a new 12th team would be needed by the NFL. On December 8, 1952, a drive to "Bring Back the Colts" was launched in Baltimore, with headquarters located at [[Baltimore Memorial Stadium]].<ref name=MG53>Sam Banks (ed.), ''The Baltimore Colts: 1953 Press, Radio, and Television Guide.'' Baltimore, MD: Baltimore Colts Football Club, 1953, p. 3.</ref> Doors were thrown open at 9 am and by midnight more than $25,000 towards the purchase of season tickets was pledged.<ref name=MG53 /> This amount was matched on Day 2 and again on Day 3; at the end of six weeks more than $300,000 for 15,0000 season tickets was pledged, with over 99% of this figure ultimately collected.<ref name=MG53 />

This show of enthusiasm drew attention around the country and proved decisive.<ref name=MG53 /> In January 1953, a Baltimore-based group led by [[Carroll Rosenbloom]] won the rights to a new Baltimore franchise.<ref name=upbafr>{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=nnwbAAAAIBAJ&sjid=l00EAAAAIBAJ&pg=3024%2C2145632 |newspaper=Pittsburgh Press |agency=United Press |title=Baltimore assured NFL franchise |date=January 7, 1953 |page=29 }}</ref><ref name=hhloc>{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=V0IsAAAAIBAJ&sjid=rM4EAAAAIBAJ&pg=6074%2C7815403 |newspaper=Spartanburg Herald-Journal |location=South Carolina |title=Historical highlights of Colts |date=March 30, 1984 |page=C4 }}</ref>

The new ownership group was awarded the assets and roster of the Dallas club which it would be replacing in [[1953 NFL season|1953]]. Among these players were future Hall of Fame defensive linemen [[Gino Marchetti]] and [[Art Donovan]], who would comprise a nucleus for the new Baltimore Colts franchise. The new Colts chose the blue and white color scheme used by the original Dallas Texans, while appropriating the bucking-horse-with-football logo used by the original AAFC Baltimore Colts franchise.

==Season highlights==

In the season opener against the Chicago Bears on September 27, Colts' defensive back [[Bert Rechichar]] set an NFL record for the longest [[Field goal (football)|field goal]] {{nowrap|(56 yards),<ref name=cjbrs>{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=E5ExAAAAIBAJ&sjid=OxAEAAAAIBAJ&pg=2279%2C3321799 |work=Milwaukee Sentinel |agency=Associated Press |title=Colts jolt Bears, 13-9, get record 56-yard field goal |date=September 28, 1953 |page=2, part 2 }}{{Dead link|date=May 2022 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref>}} breaking the previous unofficial record of 55 yards (set by [[drop kick]] by [[Paddy Driscoll]] in {{nfly|1924}}). It stood for over seventeen years, until [[Tom Dempsey]] booted a 63-yarder in {{nfly|1970}}.<ref name=dfgwgmms>{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=IJtRAAAAIBAJ&sjid=KhEEAAAAIBAJ&pg=3930%2C1540387 |work=Milwaukee Sentinel |agency=Associated Press |title=Dempsey's 63 yard FG jolts Lions |date=November 9, 1970 |page=1, part 2 }}{{Dead link|date=May 2022 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref>

The Colts opened the season strong, winning 3 of their first 5 contests — including two against the venerable Bears and a home win over neighboring Washington — before going into a tailspin in which they racked up 7 consecutive losses.


The 1953 Colts have the unusual distinction of having a losing record, despite having a league-leading 56 defensive takeaways.<ref>[http://pfref.com/tiny/R3mWm Pro-Football-Reference.com: In a single season, from 1940 to 2012, in the regular season, sorted by descending Takeaways.] The total is tied for the 6th most in NFL history.</ref>
The 1953 Colts have the unusual distinction of having a losing record, despite having a league-leading 56 defensive takeaways.<ref>[http://pfref.com/tiny/R3mWm Pro-Football-Reference.com: In a single season, from 1940 to 2012, in the regular season, sorted by descending Takeaways.] The total is tied for the 6th most in NFL history.</ref>

==Offseason==
===Draft===
{{main article|1953 NFL Draft}}
{{NFL team draft start|year=1953|teamname=Baltimore Colts}}
{{NFL team draft entry|round=1|pick=2|player=[[Billy Vessels]]|position=[[Halfback (American football)|HB]]|college=[[Oklahoma Sooners football|Oklahoma]]|notes=1952 [[Heisman Trophy]] winner; signed with [[Edmonton Elks|Edmonton Eskimos]] (WIFL). Joined Colts in 1956.}}
{{NFL team draft entry|round=2|pick=14|player=[[Bernie Flowers]]|position=[[End (gridiron football)|E]]|college=[[Purdue Boilermakers football|Purdue]]|notes=signed with [[Ottawa Rough Riders]] (IRFU)}}
{{NFL team draft entry|round=3|pick=26|player=[[Buck McPhail]]|position=[[Fullback (gridiron football)|FB]]|college=Oklahoma|maderoster=yes|notes=}}
{{NFL team draft entry|round=4|pick=39|player=[[Tom Catlin]]|position=[[Linebacker|LB]]|college=Oklahoma|notes=}}
{{NFL team draft entry|round=5|pick=51|player=[[Jack Little (American football)|Jack Little]]|position=[[Tackle (gridiron football)|T]]|college=[[Texas A&M Aggies football|Texas A&M]]|maderoster=yes|notes=}}
{{NFL team draft entry|round=6|pick=63|player=[[Jim Sears]]|position=[[Defensive back|DB]]|college=[[USC Trojans football|USC]]|notes=}}
{{NFL team draft entry|round=7|pick=75|player=Bill Athey|position=[[Guard (gridiron football)|G]]|college=[[Baylor Bears football|Baylor]]|notes=}}
{{NFL team draft entry|round=8|pick=87|player=Jim Prewett|position=T|college=[[Tulsa Golden Hurricane football|Tulsa]]|notes=}}
{{NFL team draft entry|round=9|pick=99|player=Bob Blair|position=E|college=[[TCU Horned Frogs football|TCU]]|notes=}}
{{NFL team draft entry|round=10|pick=111|player=John Cole|position=[[Back (American football)|B]]|college=[[Arkansas Razorbacks|Arkansas]]|notes=}}
{{NFL team draft entry|round=11|pick=123|player=Gene Rossi|position=B|college=[[Cincinnati Bearcats football|Cincinnati]]|notes=}}
{{NFL team draft entry|round=12|pick=135|player=[[Kaye Vaughan]]|position=G|college=Tulsa|notes=Signed with Ottawa Rough Riders (IRFU)}}
{{NFL team draft entry|round=13|pick=147|player=Bobby Moorhead|position=B|college=[[Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets football|Georgia Tech]]|notes=}}
{{NFL team draft entry|round=14|pick=159|player=Frank Continetti|position=G|college=[[George Washington Colonials football|George Washington]]|notes=}}
{{NFL team draft entry|round=15|pick=171|player=Buddy Sutton|position=B|college=Arkansas|notes=}}
{{NFL team draft entry|round=16|pick=183|player=Jim Currin|position=E|college=[[Dayton Flyers football|Dayton]]|notes=}}
{{NFL team draft entry|round=17|pick=195|player=George Rambour|position=T|college=[[Dartmouth Big Green football|Dartmouth]]|notes=}}
{{NFL team draft entry|round=18|pick=207|player=LeRoy Labat|position=B|college=[[LSU Tigers football|LSU]]|notes=}}
{{NFL team draft entry|round=19|pick=219|player=Bill Powell|position=B|college=[[California Golden Bears football|California]]|notes=}}
{{NFL team draft entry|round=20|pick=231|player=Pete Russo|position=T|college=[[Indiana Hoosiers football|Indiana]]|notes=}}
{{NFL team draft entry|round=21|pick=243|player=Frank Kirby|position=T|college=[[Bucknell Bison football|Bucknell]]|notes=}}
{{NFL team draft entry|round=22|pick=255|player=Merlin Gish|position=C|college=[[Kansas Jayhawks football|Kansas]]|notes=}}
{{NFL team draft entry|round=23|pick=267|player=Mike Housepian|position=G|college=[[Tulane Green Wave football|Tulane]]|notes=}}
{{NFL team draft entry|round=24|pick=279|player=[[Monte Brethauer]]|position=DB|college=[[Oregon Ducks football|Oregon]]|maderoster=yes|notes=}}
{{NFL team draft entry|round=25|pick=291|player=Joe Szombathy|position=E|college=[[Syracuse Orange football|Syracuse]]|notes=}}
{{NFL team draft entry|round=26|pick=303|player=Scott Prescott|position=C|college=[[Minnesota Golden Gophers football|Minnesota]]|notes=}}
{{NFL team draft entry|round=27|pick=315|player=Ray Graves|position=B|college=Texas A&M|notes=}}
{{NFL team draft entry|round=28|pick=327|player=Joe Sabol|position=B|college=[[UCLA Bruins football|UCLA]]|notes=}}
{{NFL team draft entry|round=29|pick=339|player=Jack Alessandrini|position=G|college=[[Notre Dame Fighting Irish football|Notre Dame]]|notes=}}
{{NFL team draft entry|round=30|pick=351|player=Tom Roche|position=T|college=[[Northwestern Wildcats football|Northwestern]]|notes=}}
{{NFL team draft end|hof=no|probowl=no}}<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/clt/1953_draft.htm|title=1953 Baltimore Colts Draftees|publisher=Pro Football Reference|access-date=February 20, 2022}}</ref>


== Regular season ==
== Regular season ==
=== Schedule ===
=== Schedule ===
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"

{| class="wikitable"
|-
|-
!style="{{NFLPrimaryStyle|Baltimore Colts|year=1953|border=2}}"| Game
! Week
!style="{{NFLPrimaryStyle|Baltimore Colts|year=1953|border=2}}"| Date
! Date
!style="{{NFLPrimaryStyle|Baltimore Colts|year=1953|border=2}}"| Opponent
! Opponent
!style="{{NFLPrimaryStyle|Baltimore Colts|year=1953|border=2}}"| Result
! Result
!style="{{NFLPrimaryStyle|Baltimore Colts|year=1953|border=2}}"| Record
! Record
!style="{{NFLPrimaryStyle|Baltimore Colts|year=1953|border=2}}"| Venue
! Game Site
!style="{{NFLPrimaryStyle|Baltimore Colts|year=1953|border=2}}"| Attendance
! Attendance
!style="{{NFLPrimaryStyle|Baltimore Colts|year=1953|border=2}}"| Recap
|-bgcolor="#ddffdd"
!style="{{NFLPrimaryStyle|Baltimore Colts|year=1953|border=2}}"| Sources
| 1
|-style="background:#cfc"
| September 27, 1953
! 1
| '''[[Chicago Bears]]'''
| September 27
| '''[[1953 Chicago Bears season|Chicago Bears]]'''
| '''W''' 13–9
| '''W''' 13–9
| 1–0
| 1–0
| [[Memorial Stadium (Baltimore)|Memorial Stadium]]
| [[Memorial Stadium (Baltimore)|Memorial Stadium]]
| <center>23,715</center>
| 23,715
| [https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/195309270clt.htm Recap]
|-bgcolor="#ffdddd"
| 2
|
|-style="background:#fcc"
| October 3, 1953
! 2
| '''[[Detroit Lions]]'''
| {{dow tooltip|October 3, 1953}}
| '''[[1953 Detroit Lions season|Detroit Lions]]'''
| '''L''' 17–27
| '''L''' 17–27
| 1–1
| 1–1
| [[Memorial Stadium (Baltimore)|Memorial Stadium]]
| Memorial Stadium
| <center>25,159</center>
| 25,159
| [https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/195310030clt.htm Recap]
|-bgcolor="#ddffdd"
| 3
|
|-style="background:#cfc"
| October 11, 1953
! 3
| at [[Chicago Bears]]
| October 11
| at '''[[1953 Chicago Bears season|Chicago Bears]]'''
| '''W''' 16–14
| '''W''' 16–14
| 2–1
| 2–1
| [[Wrigley Field]]
| [[Wrigley Field]]
| <center>35,316</center>
| 35,316
| [https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/195310110chi.htm Recap]
|-bgcolor="#ffdddd"
| 4
|
|-style="background:#fcc"
| October 18, 1953
! 4
| at [[Green Bay Packers]]
| October 18
| at '''[[1953 Green Bay Packers season|Green Bay Packers]]'''
| '''L''' 14–37
| '''L''' 14–37
| 2–2
| 2–2
| [[City Stadium (Green Bay)|City Stadium]]
| [[City Stadium (Green Bay)|City Stadium]]
| <center>18,713</center>
| 18,713
| [https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/195310180gnb.htm Recap]
|-bgcolor="#ddffdd"
| 5
|
|-style="background:#cfc"
| October 25, 1953
! 5
| '''[[Washington Redskins]]'''
| October 25
| [[1953 Washington Redskins season|Washington Redskins]]
| '''W''' 27–17
| '''W''' 27–17
| 3–2
| 3–2
| [[Memorial Stadium (Baltimore)|Memorial Stadium]]
| Memorial Stadium
| <center>34,031</center>
| 34,031
| [https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/195310250clt.htm Recap]
|-bgcolor="#ffdddd"
| 6
|
|-style="background:#fcc"
| October 31, 1953
! 6
| '''[[Green Bay Packers]]'''
| {{dow tooltip|October 31, 1953}}
| '''[[1953 Green Bay Packers season|Green Bay Packers]]'''
| '''L''' 24–35
| '''L''' 24–35
| 3–3
| 3–3
| [[Memorial Stadium (Baltimore)|Memorial Stadium]]
| Memorial Stadium
| <center>33,797</center>
| 33,797
| [https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/195310310clt.htm Recap]
|-bgcolor="#ffdddd"
| 7
|
|-style="background:#fcc"
| November 7, 1953
! 7
| at [[Detroit Lions]]
| {{dow tooltip|November 7, 1953}}
| at '''[[1953 Detroit Lions season|Detroit Lions]]'''
| '''L''' 7–17
| '''L''' 7–17
| 3–4
| 3–4
| [[Tiger Stadium (Detroit)|Tiger Stadium]]
| [[Tiger Stadium (Detroit)|Tiger Stadium]]
| <center>46,508</center>
| 46,508
| [https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/195311070det.htm Recap]
|-bgcolor="#ffdddd"
| 8
|
|-style="background:#fcc"
| November 15, 1953
! 8
| at [[Philadelphia Eagles]]
| November 15
| at [[1953 Philadelphia Eagles season|Philadelphia Eagles]]
| '''L''' 14–45
| '''L''' 14–45
| 3–5
| 3–5
| [[Shibe Park]]
| [[Shibe Park]]
| <center>27,813</center>
| 27,813
| [https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/195311150phi.htm Recap]
|-bgcolor="#ffdddd"
| 9
|
|-style="background:#fcc"
| November 22, 1953
! 9
| '''[[St. Louis Rams|Los Angeles Rams]]'''
| November 22
| '''[[1953 Los Angeles Rams season|Los Angeles Rams]]'''
| '''L''' 13–21
| '''L''' 13–21
| 3–6
| 3–6
| [[Memorial Stadium (Baltimore)|Memorial Stadium]]
| Memorial Stadium
| <center>27,268</center>
| 27,268
| [https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/195311220clt.htm Recap]
|-bgcolor="#ffdddd"
| 10
|
|-style="background:#fcc"
| November 29, 1953
! 10
| '''[[San Francisco 49ers]]'''
| November 29
| '''[[1953 San Francisco 49ers season|San Francisco 49ers]]'''
| '''L''' 21–38
| '''L''' 21–38
| 3–7
| 3–7
| [[Memorial Stadium (Baltimore)|Memorial Stadium]]
| Memorial Stadium
| <center>26,005</center>
| 26,005
| [https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/195311290clt.htm Recap]
|-bgcolor="#ffdddd"
| 11
|
|-style="background:#fcc"
| December 5, 1953
! 11
| at [[St. Louis Rams|Los Angeles Rams]]
| {{dow tooltip|December 5, 1953}}
| at '''[[1953 Los Angeles Rams season|Los Angeles Rams]]'''
| '''L''' 2–45
| '''L''' 2–45
| 3–8
| 3–8
| [[Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum]]
| [[Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum|L.A. Memorial Coliseum]]
| <center>26,696</center>
| 26,696
| [https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/195312050ram.htm Recap]
|-bgcolor="#ffdddd"
| 12
|
|-style="background:#fcc"
| December 13, 1953
! 12
| at [[San Francisco 49ers]]
| December 13
| at '''[[1953 San Francisco 49ers season|San Francisco 49ers]]'''
| '''L''' 14–45
| '''L''' 14–45
| 3–9
| 3–9
| [[Kezar Stadium]]
| [[Kezar Stadium]]
| <center>23,432</center>
| 23,432
| [https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/195312130sfo.htm Recap]
|
|-
|colspan="10"| '''Note:''' Intra-conference opponents are in '''bold''' text.
|}
|}


===Standings===
===Standings===
{{1953 NFL Western standings}}
{| class="wikitable" style="font-size: 95%;"
{{1953 NFL Eastern standings}}
|-

! colspan="8" style="background-color: #FFCBCB;" align="center" valign="middle" | [[Eastern and Western Divisions (NFL) 1933-69|NFL Western]]
==Coaching staff==
|-

!
* '''Head coach:''' [[Keith Molesworth]]
! W
* '''Backfield coach:''' [[Nick Wasylik]]
! L
* '''Line coach:''' [[Ray Richards]]
! T
* '''Assistant Line coach and trainer:''' [[Otis Douglas]]
! PCT

! PF
==Roster==
! PA

! STK
[[File:1953-colts-teamphoto.jpg|thumb|center|600px|Official team photo of the 1953 Baltimore Colts.]]
|-

| [[1953 Detroit Lions season|Detroit Lions]]
Appearing at some time during the 1953 season on Baltimores's 33-man in-season roster were the following players.<ref>''San Francisco Forty Niners vs. Baltimore Colts: Kezar Stadium, December 13, 1953.'' San Francisco, CA: San Francisco Forty Niners Football Club, 1953; p. 15.</ref>
| align="center" | 10

| align="center" | 2
{{col-begin}}
| align="center" | 0
{{col-break}}
| align="center" | .833
'''Centers'''
| align="center" | 271

| align="center" | 205
* 50 [[Brad Ecklund]] †
| align="center" | W-6

|-
<br />
| [[1953 San Francisco 49ers season|San Francisco 49ers]]
<br />
| align="center" | 9
'''Guards'''
| align="center" | 3

| align="center" | 0
* 60 [[Sisto Averno]]
| align="center" | .750
* 61 [[Dick Barwegen]] †
| align="center" | 372
* 62 [[Alex Agase]]
| align="center" | 237
* 64 [[Ed Sharkey]]
| align="center" | W-4
* 65 [[Bill Pellington]]
|-
* 66 [[Bill Lange (offensive guard)|Bill Lange]] †
| [[1953 Los Angeles Rams season|Los Angeles Rams]]

| align="center" | 8
{{col-break}}
| align="center" | 3
'''Tackles'''
| align="center" | 1

| align="center" | .727
* 68 [[Ernie Blandin]]
| align="center" | 366
* 70 [[Art Donovan]] '''*'''
| align="center" | 236
* 72 [[Jack Little (American football)|Jack Little]]
| align="center" | W-2
* 73 [[Joe Campanella]] †
|-
* 74 [[Ken Jackson (American football)|Ken Jackson]]
| [[1953 Chicago Bears season|Chicago Bears]]
* 75 [[Gino Marchetti]] † '''*'''
| align="center" | 3
* 76 [[Jim Winkler (American football)|Jim Winkler]]
| align="center" | 8
* 77 [[Tom Finnin]]
| align="center" | 1

| align="center" | .273
'''Ends'''
| align="center" | 218

| align="center" | 262
* 81 [[Art Spinney]]
| align="center" | L-2
* 82 [[Dan Edwards]] †
|-style="background: #ffdddd;"
* 83 [[Barney Poole]]
| '''Baltimore Colts'''
* 85 [[Mel Embree]]
| align="center" | 3
* 86 [[Monte Brethauer]] †
| align="center" | 9
* 89 [[Elmer Wingate]]
| align="center" | 0

| align="center" | .250
{{col-break}}
| align="center" | 182
'''Quarterbacks'''
| align="center" | 350
* 18 [[Dick Flowers]]
| align="center" | L-7
* 19 [[Jack Del Bello]]
|-

| [[1953 Green Bay Packers season|Green Bay Packers]]
<br />
| align="center" | 2
<br />
| align="center" | 9
'''Fullbacks'''
| align="center" | 1

| align="center" | .182
* 31 [[Buck McPhail]] †
| align="center" | 200
* 36 [[Zollie Toth]] ‡
| align="center" | 338
* 38 [[John Huzvar]]
| align="center" | L-5

|}
{{col-break}}
'''Halfbacks'''

* 20 [[George Taliaferro]] †
* 21 [[Tom Keane]]
* 22 [[Buddy Young]] †
* 23 [[Carl Taseff]]
* 24 [[Larry Coutre]]
* 25 [[Don Shula]]
* 26 [[Ed Mioduszewski]]
* 40 [[Tommy Kalmanir]] ‡
* 44 [[Bert Rechichar]]

{{col-end}}

:† - Denotes starter; 1953 Colts ran a single-wing offense around a tailback rather than a quarterback
:'''*''' - Denotes NFL Hall of Famer
:‡ - Not on end of season roster


== See also ==
== See also ==
*[[History of the Indianapolis Colts]]
*[[History of the Indianapolis Colts]]
*[[Indianapolis Colts seasons]]
*[[List of Indianapolis Colts seasons]]

*[[Colts-Patriots rivalry]]
==References==
==References==
{{reflist}}
{{reflist|2}}


{{Indianapolis Colts}}
{{Indianapolis Colts}}
{{Indianapolis Colts seasons}}
{{Indianapolis Colts seasons}}
{{1953 Baltimore Colts}}
{{1953 NFL season by team}}
{{1953 NFL season by team}}


{{DEFAULTSORT:1953 Baltimore Colts Season}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:1953 Baltimore Colts Season}}
[[Category:1953 National Football League season by team|Baltimore Colts]]
[[Category:1953 National Football League season by team|Baltimore Colts]]
[[Category:Baltimore Colts (1953-1983) seasons|1953]]
[[Category:Baltimore Colts seasons|1953]]
[[Category:1953 in sports in Maryland|Baltimore Colts]]

Latest revision as of 19:43, 6 December 2024

1953 Baltimore Colts season
OwnerCarroll Rosenbloom (primary)
General managerDon "Red" Kellett
Head coachKeith Molesworth
Home fieldMemorial Stadium
Results
Record3–9
Division place5th NFL Western
Playoff finishDid not qualify

The 1953 Baltimore Colts season was the first season for the second Colts franchise as a member club of the National Football League (NFL). The Colts had a record of 3 wins and 9 losses and finished fifth in the Western Conference for the year.

Background

[edit]

The Baltimore Colts of the All-America Football Conference (AAFC) were one of three teams merged with the NFL in 1950, despite having suffered a woeful 1–11 season in 1949. Adding complexity to the prospects of a team with an obvious talent shortage, as the odd 13th team in the league the Colts were given a round-robin schedule in 1950, meeting every team but the Chicago Bears one time and allowed a standard home-and-away relationship only with the neighboring Washington Redskins.

A predictable debacle ensued, with the Colts again going 1–11 in 1950. Amidst a sea of red ink, the original AAFC Colts shut down operations, with the team's players distributed to the other 12 teams of the league via the 1951 NFL draft.

There would be no professional football in Baltimore during the 1951 and 1952 seasons.

With the original Dallas Texans franchise a major financial failure in their one and only season in Dallas, by the end of 1952 it became clear that a new 12th team would be needed by the NFL. On December 8, 1952, a drive to "Bring Back the Colts" was launched in Baltimore, with headquarters located at Baltimore Memorial Stadium.[1] Doors were thrown open at 9 am and by midnight more than $25,000 towards the purchase of season tickets was pledged.[1] This amount was matched on Day 2 and again on Day 3; at the end of six weeks more than $300,000 for 15,0000 season tickets was pledged, with over 99% of this figure ultimately collected.[1]

This show of enthusiasm drew attention around the country and proved decisive.[1] In January 1953, a Baltimore-based group led by Carroll Rosenbloom won the rights to a new Baltimore franchise.[2][3]

The new ownership group was awarded the assets and roster of the Dallas club which it would be replacing in 1953. Among these players were future Hall of Fame defensive linemen Gino Marchetti and Art Donovan, who would comprise a nucleus for the new Baltimore Colts franchise. The new Colts chose the blue and white color scheme used by the original Dallas Texans, while appropriating the bucking-horse-with-football logo used by the original AAFC Baltimore Colts franchise.

Season highlights

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In the season opener against the Chicago Bears on September 27, Colts' defensive back Bert Rechichar set an NFL record for the longest field goal (56 yards),[4] breaking the previous unofficial record of 55 yards (set by drop kick by Paddy Driscoll in 1924). It stood for over seventeen years, until Tom Dempsey booted a 63-yarder in 1970.[5]

The Colts opened the season strong, winning 3 of their first 5 contests — including two against the venerable Bears and a home win over neighboring Washington — before going into a tailspin in which they racked up 7 consecutive losses.

The 1953 Colts have the unusual distinction of having a losing record, despite having a league-leading 56 defensive takeaways.[6]

Offseason

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Draft

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Main article: 1953 NFL Draft
1953 Baltimore Colts draft
Round Pick Player Position College Notes
1 2 Billy Vessels  HB Oklahoma 1952 Heisman Trophy winner; signed with Edmonton Eskimos (WIFL). Joined Colts in 1956.
2 14 Bernie Flowers  E Purdue signed with Ottawa Rough Riders (IRFU)
3 26 Buck McPhail  FB Oklahoma
4 39 Tom Catlin  LB Oklahoma
5 51 Jack Little  T Texas A&M
6 63 Jim Sears  DB USC
7 75 Bill Athey  G Baylor
8 87 Jim Prewett  T Tulsa
9 99 Bob Blair  E TCU
10 111 John Cole  B Arkansas
11 123 Gene Rossi  B Cincinnati
12 135 Kaye Vaughan  G Tulsa Signed with Ottawa Rough Riders (IRFU)
13 147 Bobby Moorhead  B Georgia Tech
14 159 Frank Continetti  G George Washington
15 171 Buddy Sutton  B Arkansas
16 183 Jim Currin  E Dayton
17 195 George Rambour  T Dartmouth
18 207 LeRoy Labat  B LSU
19 219 Bill Powell  B California
20 231 Pete Russo  T Indiana
21 243 Frank Kirby  T Bucknell
22 255 Merlin Gish  C Kansas
23 267 Mike Housepian  G Tulane
24 279 Monte Brethauer  DB Oregon
25 291 Joe Szombathy  E Syracuse
26 303 Scott Prescott  C Minnesota
27 315 Ray Graves  B Texas A&M
28 327 Joe Sabol  B UCLA
29 339 Jack Alessandrini  G Notre Dame
30 351 Tom Roche  T Northwestern
      Made roster  

[7]

Regular season

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Schedule

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Game Date Opponent Result Record Venue Attendance Recap Sources
1 September 27 Chicago Bears W 13–9 1–0 Memorial Stadium 23,715 Recap
2 October 3 Detroit Lions L 17–27 1–1 Memorial Stadium 25,159 Recap
3 October 11 at Chicago Bears W 16–14 2–1 Wrigley Field 35,316 Recap
4 October 18 at Green Bay Packers L 14–37 2–2 City Stadium 18,713 Recap
5 October 25 Washington Redskins W 27–17 3–2 Memorial Stadium 34,031 Recap
6 October 31 Green Bay Packers L 24–35 3–3 Memorial Stadium 33,797 Recap
7 November 7 at Detroit Lions L 7–17 3–4 Tiger Stadium 46,508 Recap
8 November 15 at Philadelphia Eagles L 14–45 3–5 Shibe Park 27,813 Recap
9 November 22 Los Angeles Rams L 13–21 3–6 Memorial Stadium 27,268 Recap
10 November 29 San Francisco 49ers L 21–38 3–7 Memorial Stadium 26,005 Recap
11 December 5 at Los Angeles Rams L 2–45 3–8 L.A. Memorial Coliseum 26,696 Recap
12 December 13 at San Francisco 49ers L 14–45 3–9 Kezar Stadium 23,432 Recap
Note: Intra-conference opponents are in bold text.

Standings

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NFL Western Conference
W L T PCT CONF PF PA STK
Detroit Lions 10 2 0 .833 8–2 271 205 W6
San Francisco 49ers 9 3 0 .750 8–2 372 237 W4
Los Angeles Rams 8 3 1 .727 7–3 366 236 W2
Chicago Bears 3 8 1 .273 2–7–1 218 262 L2
Baltimore Colts 3 9 0 .250 2–8 182 350 L7
Green Bay Packers 2 9 1 .182 2–7–1 200 338 L5
Note: Tie games were not officially counted in the standings until 1972.
NFL Eastern Conference
W L T PCT CONF PF PA STK
Cleveland Browns 11 1 0 .917 9–1 348 162 L1
Philadelphia Eagles 7 4 1 .636 6–3–1 352 215 W1
Washington Redskins 6 5 1 .545 6–3–1 208 215 L1
Pittsburgh Steelers 6 6 0 .500 5–5 211 263 W2
New York Giants 3 9 0 .250 3–7 179 277 L2
Chicago Cardinals 1 10 1 .091 0–10 190 337 W1
Note: Tie games were not officially counted in the standings until 1972.

Coaching staff

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Roster

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Official team photo of the 1953 Baltimore Colts.

Appearing at some time during the 1953 season on Baltimores's 33-man in-season roster were the following players.[8]

† - Denotes starter; 1953 Colts ran a single-wing offense around a tailback rather than a quarterback
* - Denotes NFL Hall of Famer
‡ - Not on end of season roster

See also

[edit]

References

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  1. ^ a b c d Sam Banks (ed.), The Baltimore Colts: 1953 Press, Radio, and Television Guide. Baltimore, MD: Baltimore Colts Football Club, 1953, p. 3.
  2. ^ "Baltimore assured NFL franchise". Pittsburgh Press. United Press. January 7, 1953. p. 29.
  3. ^ "Historical highlights of Colts". Spartanburg Herald-Journal. South Carolina. March 30, 1984. p. C4.
  4. ^ "Colts jolt Bears, 13-9, get record 56-yard field goal". Milwaukee Sentinel. Associated Press. September 28, 1953. p. 2, part 2.[permanent dead link‍]
  5. ^ "Dempsey's 63 yard FG jolts Lions". Milwaukee Sentinel. Associated Press. November 9, 1970. p. 1, part 2.[permanent dead link‍]
  6. ^ Pro-Football-Reference.com: In a single season, from 1940 to 2012, in the regular season, sorted by descending Takeaways. The total is tied for the 6th most in NFL history.
  7. ^ "1953 Baltimore Colts Draftees". Pro Football Reference. Retrieved February 20, 2022.
  8. ^ San Francisco Forty Niners vs. Baltimore Colts: Kezar Stadium, December 13, 1953. San Francisco, CA: San Francisco Forty Niners Football Club, 1953; p. 15.
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