If you’re standing in a sports bar in downtown Indy, the answer to what year did the Colts win Super Bowl seems obvious. 2007. That’s the year Peyton Manning finally got the monkey off his back in a rainy Miami stadium. But if you ask a grandfather in Baltimore the same question, you’ll get a different look. He’ll tell you 1971.
Technically, they’re both right.
The franchise has two Super Bowl rings. They’ve got a long, weird history that spans two different cities and two vastly different eras of football. One win came from a "Blunder Bowl" that everyone tried to forget, and the other was a rain-soaked masterclass that cemented a legend.
The First Ring: 1971 (Super Bowl V)
Let's go back to January 17, 1971. The team was still the Baltimore Colts. They were facing the Dallas Cowboys in what would become one of the strangest games in NFL history. Honestly, it was a mess. People literally call it the "Blunder Bowl" because the two teams combined for 11 turnovers.
The Colts turned the ball over seven times themselves. Seven! Usually, that’s a recipe for a blowout loss. But the Cowboys weren't much better.
Why this game was so weird
- The MVP was a loser: This is the only time in Super Bowl history where the MVP award went to a player on the losing team. Dallas linebacker Chuck Howley won it because, frankly, he was the only one playing lights-out football.
- The Mackey Play: Johnny Unitas threw a pass that tipped off two different players before landing in the hands of John Mackey, who took it 75 yards for a score. Pure luck? Maybe.
- The Rookie’s Kick: With five seconds left, a rookie kicker named Jim O'Brien stepped up and nailed a 32-yard field goal. That kick won the game 16-13.
It wasn't pretty. But a win is a win. That 1971 victory gave the Baltimore Colts their first-ever Super Bowl trophy, helping ease the sting of losing to Joe Namath and the Jets a couple of years earlier.
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The Second Ring: 2007 (Super Bowl XLI)
Fast forward 36 years. The team had moved to Indianapolis in the middle of the night in 1984, a move that still makes Baltimore fans see red. By 2006, the Indy Colts were a powerhouse. They had Peyton Manning, Marvin Harrison, and Reggie Wayne. They were the most explosive offense in the league, but they kept choking in the playoffs.
Then came the 2006 season (with the championship played on February 4, 2007).
Dancing in the Rain
Super Bowl XLI was the first one ever played in a downpour. It was messy, but in a different way than the '71 game. Prince was killing it during the halftime show, playing "Purple Rain" while it actually rained. It was iconic.
On the field, things started terrifyingly for Indy. Devin Hester took the opening kickoff back for a touchdown for the Chicago Bears. Just 14 seconds in, the Colts were down. But Manning didn't blink. He systematically picked apart the Bears' "Tampa 2" defense.
The final score was 29-17. Kelvin Hayden’s pick-six in the fourth quarter basically sealed the deal. Manning finally had his ring, and Tony Dungy became the first Black head coach to hoist the Lombardi Trophy.
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The Near Misses: 1969 and 2010
You can't really talk about what year did the Colts win Super Bowl without mentioning the times they almost did. The history is bookended by two heartbreaking losses.
In 1969 (Super Bowl III), the Colts were 18-point favorites. Eighteen! They were supposed to destroy the AFL's New York Jets. Instead, Joe Namath made his famous "guarantee" and the Colts got embarrassed 16-7. It’s still considered one of the biggest upsets in sports history.
Then there’s 2010. Manning had the Colts back in the big game against the New Orleans Saints. It looked like Indy was going to cruise to another title until Sean Payton called for a surprise onside kick to start the second half. The momentum shifted, and Tracy Porter’s late interception return for a touchdown ended the Colts' hopes.
Success by the Numbers
If you’re looking for a quick breakdown of how the franchise has fared on the biggest stage, here is the raw data of their appearances:
- Super Bowl III (1969): Lost to NY Jets (16-7)
- Super Bowl V (1971): Won against Dallas Cowboys (16-13)
- Super Bowl XLI (2007): Won against Chicago Bears (29-17)
- Super Bowl XLIV (2010): Lost to New Orleans Saints (31-17)
So, the franchise is 2-2 in Super Bowls. They’ve won as the Baltimore Colts and as the Indianapolis Colts. They are also one of the few teams to win a championship in the same host city (Miami) for both of their titles.
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Why 2007 Still Matters
For fans in Indiana, that 2007 win is the gold standard. It validated an entire era of football. For years, the narrative was that Manning was a "regular season quarterback" who couldn't win the big one. That rainy night in Miami killed that talk forever. It also turned Indianapolis into a "football town" in a state that was previously obsessed only with basketball and racing.
When you look at the stats, Manning’s numbers in that game weren't even his best—247 yards, one TD, one pick—but his leadership in those conditions was what mattered. He kept the team calm after the Hester touchdown. He relied on the running game (Dominic Rhodes was a beast that night).
What’s Next for the Colts?
Since that 2010 loss, the road has been rocky. The Andrew Luck era had its flashes of brilliance but ended in a shocking early retirement. Since then, the team has been searching for that next franchise savior under center.
If you're tracking the team's progress now, keep an eye on their defensive development and how they handle the quarterback carousel. The blueprint from 2007 is still there: a high-powered offense supported by a defense that can create turnovers when it counts.
To dig deeper into this history, you should check out the NFL's official film archives of Super Bowl V and XLI. Seeing the contrast between the old-school grit of the 70s and the modern precision of the Manning era gives you a real appreciation for how much the game has changed. You can also visit the Lucas Oil Stadium trophy case if you're ever in Indy to see the 2006 trophy in person.