The question pops up at every sports bar and family gathering from Broad Ripple to the Inner Harbor: have the colts ever won a superbowl?
Honestly, if you’re a younger fan, you probably only remember the Peyton Manning years. If you’re a bit older, you might still have a dusty Baltimore jersey in the back of your closet. The truth is, the Colts franchise has a weird, split history. It’s like a tale of two cities. Literally.
They’ve actually won it all twice.
But it wasn't always pretty. One of those wins is nicknamed the "Blunder Bowl." The other happened in a literal monsoon. To really get why this team’s trophy case matters, you have to look at the four times they actually made it to the big stage.
The First Victory: A Messy Win in Miami (Super Bowl V)
Back in January 1971, the team was still the Baltimore Colts. This was the first Super Bowl after the AFL-NFL merger was finalized. They faced off against the Dallas Cowboys.
It was a disaster.
Seriously, people still talk about how ugly this game was. There were 11 turnovers between the two teams. Johnny Unitas, the legendary quarterback, got knocked out of the game in the second quarter with a rib injury. Earl Morrall had to come in and try to steer the ship.
Basically, nobody seemed to want to win.
In a weird twist of fate, the MVP of the game wasn't even on the winning team. Cowboys linebacker Chuck Howley took the trophy despite losing. To this day, he’s the only player from a losing team to ever be named Super Bowl MVP.
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The Colts ended up winning 16-13 because of a 32-yard field goal by a rookie named Jim O'Brien. He had only five seconds left on the clock. It wasn't a masterpiece, but a ring is a ring.
The Heartbreak: Super Bowl III and the Guarantee
You can't talk about whether they've won without mentioning the time they should have won but didn't. Two years before that messy victory, the 1968 Colts were absolute monsters. They went 13-1 in the regular season.
They were 18-point favorites against Joe Namath and the New York Jets.
Then "Broadway Joe" made his famous guarantee. He told the world the Jets would win. Everyone laughed. The NFL was seen as vastly superior to the upstart AFL back then. But the Jets won 16-7. It remains one of the biggest upsets in the history of professional sports.
That loss actually forced the NFL to take the AFL seriously, which eventually led to the modern league we have now. So, in a way, the Colts losing helped build the modern NFL. Not that it makes Baltimore fans feel any better.
The Indianapolis Era: Peyton Manning’s Rain-Soaked Glory
Fast forward to 2007. The team had been in Indianapolis for over two decades. Peyton Manning was the king of the city, but the critics were loud. They said he was a "regular season quarterback." They said he couldn't win the big one.
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In Super Bowl XLI, he finally shut them up.
It was played in Miami, just like their first win, but this time it was pouring. A literal tropical downpour. The game started terribly for Indy. Devin Hester took the opening kickoff back for a touchdown for the Chicago Bears.
Imagine the gut-punch feeling in Indy at that moment.
But Manning stayed calm. He finished 25-of-38 for 247 yards. He found Reggie Wayne for a 53-yard touchdown. The defense, which had been shaky all year, stepped up and intercepted Rex Grossman twice. Kelvin Hayden’s pick-six basically sealed the deal.
Peyton Manning was named MVP, and the city of Indianapolis finally got its parade. That 29-17 win is still the peak of the franchise's time in Indiana.
The One That Got Away: Super Bowl XLIV
The Colts had a chance to do it again just three years later. The 2009 team was incredible. They started the season 14-0. They looked unstoppable.
They met the New Orleans Saints in Super Bowl XLIV.
The Colts were leading 10-6 at halftime. Then came the "Ambush." Sean Payton, the Saints coach, called for an onside kick to start the second half. It worked. The momentum shifted instantly.
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The image most fans can't shake is Tracy Porter intercepting Manning late in the fourth quarter and taking it all the way back. The Saints won 31-17. It was a brutal end to an era that probably should have resulted in more than one championship.
By the Numbers: The Colts Super Bowl Record
When you look at the total history, here is how the franchise stacks up:
- Total Super Bowl Appearances: 4
- Total Wins: 2 (Super Bowl V and Super Bowl XLI)
- Total Losses: 2 (Super Bowl III and Super Bowl XLIV)
- Pre-Super Bowl Era Championships: 3 (1958, 1959, 1968)
It’s important to remember that before the "Super Bowl" was even a thing, the Baltimore Colts were a dynasty. They won the 1958 NFL Championship in a game often called "The Greatest Game Ever Played." It was the first sudden-death overtime game in NFL history.
Technically, the franchise has five world championships if you count those old-school titles. But in terms of the modern Super Bowl era, the answer to have the colts ever won a superbowl is a solid yes—twice.
Why It Matters Today
The Colts are currently in a rebuilding phase, trying to find that same magic they had with Manning or Unitas. Seeing names like Anthony Richardson under center reminds fans of the potential for a third trophy.
The history of this team is defined by elite quarterback play. When the Colts have a generational talent at QB, they go to Super Bowls. When they don't, they struggle.
If you're looking to dive deeper into the stats or want to see the old highlights, you should check out the NFL’s official archives or the Pro Football Hall of Fame records. Seeing Unitas throw that 75-yard bomb to John Mackey in Super Bowl V—even if it was a lucky tip—is a must-watch for any real fan.
Actionable Next Steps:
- Watch the Highlights: Search for "Super Bowl XLI highlights" to see Manning's masterclass in the rain.
- Verify the Titles: If you're arguing with friends about the pre-merger years, check the Pro-Football-Reference team page for the full list of 1950s championships.
- Visit the Stadium: If you're ever in Indy, the Lucas Oil Stadium tour gives a great look at the 2007 trophy and the history of the move from Baltimore.