The Indianapolis Colts are among the oldest National Football League (NFL) franchises. The team began playing while it was based in Baltimore before eventually moving to Indianapolis. Although the move was unpopular amongst die-hard NFL fans, the Colts have become one of the most iconic midwestern teams. Undoubtedly, the Colts have been home to some all-time great athletes, but only a few deserve to be called the best Colts players of all time.
As mentioned Colts began their journey in Baltimore, Maryland, where they were established in 1953. Their inclusion in the NFL marked a growing expansion of the league. Under the ownership of Carroll Rosenbloom, the team rapidly developed a competitive edge, largely thanks to the legendary quarterback Johnny Unitas. This period saw the Colts clinch their first NFL Championship in 1958 in what was dubbed “The Greatest Game Ever Played,” defeating the New York Giants. The team replicated their success in 1959, affirming their place in the league.
The Colts’ ownership landscape changed dramatically in 1972 when Robert Irsay acquired the team. This transition marked the beginning of the Irsay family’s influence over the franchise. Under Irsay’s ownership, the team continued to experience success, highlighted by their victory in Super Bowl V in 1971 against the Dallas Cowboys. In 1984, in a move that sent shockwaves through the NFL, Irsay relocated the team to Indianapolis. With Mayflower moving trucks quietly making the controversial move in the middle of the night, a devastated Baltimore awoke to see a new era for the Colts and the end of football in Charm City for over a decade. Heartbroken fans have long struggled to accept the new Colts as an extension of the original team, and even with the success of the Baltimore Ravens, the Colts remain a sore spot for the city to date.
The initial years in Indianapolis were challenging, with the team struggling to replicate its earlier successes. The team made several playoff appearances in the late 1980s and mid-1990s, it wasn’t until 1988 when things truly got better for the franchise. The drafting of quarterback Peyton Manning that year marked a significant turning point. Manning, now under the ownership of Jim Irsay, Robert’s son, transformed the Colts into a formidable force, leading them to consistent playoff appearances. The highlight of this era was their victory in Super Bowl XLI in 2007, defeating the Chicago Bears – a first since their relocation to Indianapolis.
Post-Manning, the Colts have seen a mix of challenges and successes. The drafting of Andrew Luck in 2012 brought a new era of competitive play, with several playoff appearances. However, Luck would eventually announce an early retirement. His successors, including Carson Wentz and Matt Ryan, failed to move the chains for the team, but in 2023, the team drafted University of Florida star quarterback Anthony Richardson with high hopes. Though his season ended early due to injury, backup Gardner Minshew still helped lead the team into playoff contention, but they failed to make it to the postseason after losing to the Texans in the final regular season game. Richardson’s strong arm and excellent mobility still have fans excited for the coming years.
So, which players deserve to be called the greatest in Colts history? StudyFinds did the research, consulting 10 sports and football-related websites in an effort to bring you a consensus list of the best Colts players of all time. Our list comprises the five most frequently listed Colts players from across these sites. Think we whiffed on one of your all-time favorite players? Feel free to let us know in the comments section below!
The List: The 5 Greatest Colts Players In History
1. Peyton Manning
Easily topping the list of the best players in the history of the Colts franchise is none other than Peyton Manning. He is the son of legendary Saints quarterback Archie Manning, so not only is he a second-generation NFL quarterback, but he’s widely regarded as one of the best quarterbacks of all time. The Colts took Manning out of the University of Tennessee with the top pick in the 1998 NFL Draft and he was seemingly great right away.
Bleacher Report goes as far as naming him one of the greatest quarterbacks in the history of the NFL. Why? “During his time with the Colts, Manning was a 12-time Pro Bowler, four-time NFL MVP, Super Bowl champion and the team’s all-time leader in wins, passing touchdowns, passing yards and completions… Countless great moments and amazing pre-snap audibles are what will be talked about when discussing Manning, but he will always be remembered for leading his team to a Lombardi Trophy,” explains Bleacher Report.
The Colts had the top pick in the ‘98 Draft and were undecided between Manning and Ryan Leaf. Manning reportedly told the Colts that if they didn’t take him with the top pick, he’d make them regret their decision for his entire career. The Colts obviously made the right decision and Manning went on to have some of the best passing seasons the NFL has ever seen. “His 49 touchdowns in 2004 rank fourth in NFL history for most touchdowns in a season. Only twice in his Colts career did throw under 4,000 yards in a season; 1998 and 2005. He holds the franchise records for QB record (141-67), completions (4,682), attempts (7,210), passing yards (54,828), touchdowns (399), touchdown percentage (5.5), sack percentage (3.1), yards per game (263.6), fourth-quarter comebacks (34), and game-winning drives (45). Twice he led the league in passing yards; in 2000 with 4,413 and in 2003 with 4,267. Three times he led the league in touchdown passes; 2000 with 33, 2004 with 49, and 2006 with 31,” adds Sportsnaut.
Manning’s 45 game-winning drives and 34 fourth-quarter comebacks were all magical for the city of Indianapolis. For a player who was never injured, Manning eventually suffered a scary neck injury and would never return to play for the Colts again. “He started 208 consecutive games before a career-threatening neck injury made him sit out the entire 2011 season. Still, despite spinal fusion surgery and weakened arm strength, Manning returned in 2012 with a new team, a new coach, in a new town… and all he did was put forth an MVP-type performance. Manning is an athlete who has transcended his sport. When people look back on his era, they will view him as the ideal quarterback. He takes a franchise, places it on his shoulders, and instantly turns it into a title contender,” adds Stampede Blue.
2. Johnny Unitas
If Manning is in the top spot, then the next player on the list of the best Colts players has to be Johnny Unitas. He played while the Colts were still in Baltimore and is remembered in the city with a statue in front of M&T Stadium, with many other dedications to him throughout Maryland. “Unitas is considered by many (and include us in that category) as the game’s first modern Quarterback, an incredible accomplishment for someone who was not drafted in the top 100. ‘Johnny U’ took over the reins full-time in 1957 and promptly took the Colts to their first winning season. The following season was even more magical. Unitas took his team to the NFL Championship and won the game in what was then called The Greatest Game Ever Played, a win in overtime that cemented the National Football League as a television juggernaut,” writes Not in Hall of Fame.
Happy Birthday (forever) to #Colts Legend, Johnny Unitas!! pic.twitter.com/mzlLGpUlKv
— Colts on SR (@SRIndyColts) May 7, 2021
The game labeled as “The Greatest Game Ever Played” was the NFL Championship game between the Colts and the New York Giants in which Unitas led his Colts to victory. That game was special for a lot of reasons, but Unitas’ performance against a stout Giants defense was remarkable.
Unitas was the NFL’s first prolific passer, and he’s a legendary figure in the history of players. “Unitas won 4 of the Colts 5 World Championships. He was the first quarterback to ever throw 30+ passes in a season as well as the first to throw for over 40,000 career yards and held the record for most consecutive games with a touchdown (47) for more than 50 years. Unitas quite simply is the man here as he revolutionized the position of Quarterback and Johnny U is the first person I think of when I hear somebody refer to the Colts,” adds The Grueling Truth.
Simply put, Unitas was a winner. Still, at the time of his retirement from professional football, he held every major passing record in NFL history. Unitas threw for over 40,000 yards and 290 touchdowns during an era of the NFL that was known for running the ball. “How lucky can the Colts be to have a quarterback as talented as Johnny Unitas land at No. 2 on their all-time list? Seriously, the guy is a legend who many consider one of the greatest to ever play the game. And yet, here he is as the second-best Colt to ever sling it… When Unitas hung up his cleats for good, he was the leader in nearly every Colts passing category imaginable. Although his records were all crushed by another legend during the modern era, his feats during the franchise’s days in Baltimore were truly amazing,” adds Horseshoe Heroes.
3. Marvin Harrison
The third spot on the list of the best players in Colts history belongs to the best wide receiver Colts fans have ever known – Marvin Harrison. A lot of fans know that Harrison was Peyton Manning’s top target for multiple seasons, but few realize he’s a big reason for Manning’s success in Indy and he was actually drafted before Peyton. Manning and Harrison went together like peanut butter and jelly. “After being selected 19th overall in the 1996 NFL Draft, Marvin Harrison went on to have an incredibly successful career as a wide receiver for the Indianapolis Colts. Marvin Harrison played 190 games over his career and collected an impressive number of accolades to his resume; winning a Super Bowl with the Colts in 2007, six-time NFL All-Pro selection, eight-time NFL Pro Bowl selection, and eventually being named to the NFL All-2000s Hall of Fame Team,” explains Rookie Road.
Harrison is widely regarded as one of the best wide receivers in NFL history. Harrison could do everything NFL wide receivers need to do in order to have a Hall of Fame career including running beautiful routes and making the toughest catches in traffic look easy and routine. “Marvin Harrison is largely known as Manning’s favorite wide receiver, who has very impressive qualities that led to a more impressive career. Harrison’s route running and contested-catch ability set his legacy in stone as one of the best WRs to ever hit the gridiron,” writes Pro Sports Outlook.
Harrison amassed an impressive stat line over the course of his illustrious career. When it was all said and done, Harrison was a first-ballot Hall of Famer and he held every major Colts receiving record.
What were some of his accomplishments? “Eight Pro Bowls, 1,102 receptions, 14,580 yards and 128 touchdowns make Harrison one of the greatest receivers to ever play the game. He holds countless records, but the big one is between him and Manning. The duo finished with 112 touchdowns—the most from any quarterback to a wide receiver in NFL history. Harrison also holds the single-season record for catches with 143 in 2002. Manning and Harrison is something that will never be forgotten. The two made for so many exciting plays, that it’s no question Harrison is the second-greatest Colt to ever play in the city of Indianapolis,” adds Bleacher Report.
4. Reggie Wayne
Reggie Wayne was another first-round wide receiver draft pick for the Colts, and like his running partner Marvin Harrison, he lived up to expectations. Together, Wayne and Harrison gave quarterback Peyton Manning one of the deadliest receiving corps in NFL history.
Wayne was best known as being Marvin Harrison’s sidekick and Manning’s second receiving option, but as his career progressed, it was clear that Wayne was one of the best receivers in the NFL. “While there’s no denying that Peyton Manning is one of the greatest to ever do it, he had plenty of help from Reggie Wayne, who grabbed 76 of his 539 touchdowns. He’s still second in franchise history in receiving touchdowns and is a true example of durability, hard work, and loyalty for a franchise. He’s a lock to make it to the Hall of Fame after retiring from the league in 2015,” writes Bola VIP.
Wayne played his entire career in a Colts uniform and he’s an absolutely beloved athlete in the city of Indianapolis. “The ‘second’ Wide Receiver for the high potent Indianapolis offense of the 2000s, Reggie Wayne had eight seasons where he went for over 1,000 Yards Receiving and one season where he led the National Football League in that category. Wayne never left the Colts and is a member of the 1,000 Reception Club, as well as one of the few people who hit the 14,000 Yard mark. A six-time Pro Bowler, Wayne helped the Colts win Super Bowl XLI and in 2018 was chosen for the Colts Ring of Honor,” explains Not in Hall of Fame.
Wayne not only helped the Colts win Super Bowl XLI over the Chicago Bears, but he also helped usher in a new era of Colts football as the team transitioned from Manning and Harrison to Andrew Luck. His veteran leadership and pass-catching ability helped acclimate Luck to the NFL as he served as Luck’s number-one receiver during the early days of Luck’s career. The success he had after Manning left was a testament to Wayne’s versatility and adaptability.
“Even while behind one of the greatest receivers in the history of the NFL, Reggie Wayne found ways to make an impact on this team. Ever since he became the No. 1 option, he’s become a truly remarkable player. The man on the receiving end of countless passes from Manning, Wayne made his first Pro Bowl in 2006, finishing with 86 catches for 1,310 yards and nine scores. He went on to five consecutive Pro Bowls. After an off-year in 2011, Wayne came back and exploded with the arrival of Andrew Luck. Despite being 34 years old, Wayne finished [the] season with 106 receptions for 1,355 yards and five touchdowns,” writes Bleacher Report.
5. Dwight Freeney
Rounding out the list of the best Colts players ever is none other than legendary pass rusher, Dwight Freeney. He was one of the best defensive ends of his generation, and although he went on to play for other teams, Freeney will always be a beloved player in Indy. “In his 17-year career, Freeney ranks 18th with 125.5 sacks, with 107.5 coming in Indianapolis. During his career, he made seven Pro Bowls, three All-Pros, and one Super Bowl, and was named to the 2000s All-Decade team. He comes in second to Mathis in sacks, QB hits, and forced fumbles. He is the franchise leader in tackles for loss. Freeney is also a member of the Colts’ ROH. Plus, this year marks the first time he’s eligible for the NFL Hall of Fame,” writes Sportsnaut.
Photo: Dwight Freeney celebrates the #Colts 38-34 win over the Patriots in the 2007 AFC title game pic.twitter.com/9V6vEJAh
— IndyStarSports (@IndyStarSports) February 15, 2013
Freeney was a relentless pass rusher for the Indianapolis Colts. Since the offense was led by the high-scoring combination of Manning, Harrison, and Wayne, Freeney and his defense often found themselves in situations where their opponents were forced to pass – and they knew it. These situations opened up plenty of opportunities for Freeney to get after the opposing quarterback, which he took full advantage of. “Dwight Freeney has been a force to be reckoned with since his time in college, where he played for Syracuse. Before being drafted 11th overall in the 2002 NFL Draft by the Colts, he earned All-American Honors during the 2001 collegiate season,” furthers Rookie Road.
Freeney was a sack master during the course of his NFL career. Freeney became known for utilizing the spin move to get past offensive linemen on his way to the quarterback. The result was over 100 sacks in a Colts uniform. “Racking up 107.5 sacks for Indianapolis, Dwight Freeney‘s elite pass-rushing skill made him a feared defensive player. Freeney’s ability to get to the quarterback was unmatched compared to others of his time,” explains Pro Sports Outlook.
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Sources:
- Bleacher Report
- Rookie Road
- Stampede Blue
- Horseshoe Heroes
- 107.5 The Fan
- Sportsnaut
- Not in Hall of Fame
- Bola VIP
- The Grueling Truth
- Pro Sports Outlook
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