Indianapolis Colts

When looking for a team name some sometimes feel a bit forced. Adopting an animal or symbol just because it is aggressive or looks good – and then trying to find a way to map it onto the history and heritage of the region – often awkwardly. Some on the other hand simply gallop straight out at you. When Baltimore was granted an NFL team in 1953, a fan contest was held to pick a name. The winner was “Colts” — based on the city’s proud tradition of horse breeding and racing. Baltimore is home to the Preakness Stakes, one of America’s great Triple Crown races, and thoroughbred culture runs deep in Maryland. A colt — a young, spirited horse — captured the speed, energy, and fight that fans wanted from their new football team. The horseshoe was a no brainer.

Baltimore itself was built as a port city in the 18th century, growing into one of the most important harbours on the East Coast. Its shipyards produced the famous clipper ships that carried its name worldwide, and Fort McHenry’s defence in the War of 1812 gave America its national anthem. Away from the docks, the rolling countryside around Maryland became horse country. Wealthy families kept stables, breeding programmes thrived, and steeplechase racing took hold in the 19th century. The annual Maryland Hunt Cup became one of America’s toughest races, while the Preakness at Pimlico Race Course established Baltimore as a centre of thoroughbred sport. In that context, the name “Colts” was inevitable.

The identity stuck. The team wore blue and white, with the iconic horseshoe logo that quickly became one of the most recognisable in the league. The Colts built a legacy in Baltimore, producing legends like Johnny Unitas and winning NFL Championships in the 1950s and ’60s.

But in 1984, the story changed. In a controversial overnight move, the franchise relocated to Indianapolis. The name, oddly, was perfect for its new home too. Indiana has long been horse country, with deep ties to breeding and farming. And while the Colts’ logo is equine, the city of Indianapolis brings its own twist — the Indianapolis 500, the greatest spectacle in racing, powered by horsepower of a different kind. The Colts’ identity blends the thoroughbred past of Baltimore with the motor-racing future of Indy.

The Colts have made their mark in their new home. They won Super Bowl XLI in 2007 under quarterback Peyton Manning, one of the greatest to ever play the position. Manning, Marvin Harrison, Reggie Wayne, Dwight Freeney — the names of the 2000s Colts are etched into NFL history. More recently, Andrew Luck carried the torch before injuries forced his retirement. Through ups and downs, the horseshoe has endured as a symbol of persistence and good fortune.

Indianapolis itself is more than a racing town. Founded as a planned state capital in 1821, it grew into a hub of the Midwest, shaped by railroads, agriculture, and manufacturing.

So, the Colts then are the product of two cities’ traditions: Baltimore’s stables and racetracks, Indiana’s engines and speedways. The franchise found a way to honour its past while galloping hard into the future.