1947 Baltimore Colts season

Last updated

Program for the Colts' fourth game of their inaugural season in Baltimore against the New York Yankees. Colts-Program-470928.jpg
Program for the Colts' fourth game of their inaugural season in Baltimore against the New York Yankees.
1947 Baltimore Colts season
Head coach Cecil Isbell
Home field Memorial Stadium
Results
Record2–11–1
Division place4th AAFC
Playoff finishDid not qualify

The 1947 Baltimore Colts season was the 2nd season of the franchise in the All-America Football Conference (AAFC) & their 1st as the original Baltimore Colts. In this 1947 Colts debut, the team finished last in their division, winning only two games. [1]

Contents

The team's statistical leaders included Bud Schwenk with 2,236 passing yards, Bus Mertes with 321 rushing yards, and Billy Hillenbrand with 702 receiving yards and 10 touchdowns scored. [1]

History

Background

The All-America Football Conference (AAFC) was first organized in 1944 with a series of secret meetings of frustrated potential-franchise owners locked out of membership in the National Football League (NFL). [2] From the outset eyes were laid upon Baltimore, the seventh biggest city in America, [3] as a prospective home for a viable AAFC franchise — with former heavyweight boxing champion Gene Tunney attending organizational meetings as a prospective franchise owner. [2]

Tunney was drafted into the military, however, and plans for a Baltimore franchise were shelved. [4] A team was instead awarded to Miami, Florida — the Miami Seahawks.

When the AAFC began playing games in 1946, the Seahawks were sent on the road for seven of their first eight contests. Poor scheduling led to poor performance, a 1–7 start, and fans stayed away in droves, with just 49,151 fans coming through the turnstiles in 1946. [5] The Miami franchise relocated for economic reasons at the end of its only season in Miami.

Season schedule

WeekDateOpponentResultRecordVenueRecap
1 Bye
2September 7 Brooklyn Dodgers W 16–71–0 Municipal Stadium Recap
3September 14at San Francisco 49ers L 7–141–1 Kezar Stadium Recap
4September 21at Cleveland Browns L 0–281–2 Cleveland Municipal Stadium Recap
5September 28 New York Yankees L 7–211–3Municipal Stadium Recap
6October 5 San Francisco 49ers T 28–281–3–1Municipal Stadium Recap
7October 12at Buffalo Bills L 15–201–4–1 Civic Stadium Recap
8October 19 Los Angeles Dons L 10–381–5–1Municipal Stadium Recap
9October 26at Los Angeles Dons L 0–561–6–1 Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum Recap
10November 2at New York Yankees L 21–351–7–1 Yankee Stadium Recap
11November 7at Chicago Rockets L 21–271–8–1 Soldier Field Recap
12November 16at Brooklyn Dodgers L 14–211–9–1 Ebbets Field Recap
13November 23 Buffalo Bills L 14–331–10–1Municipal Stadium Recap
14November 30 Chicago Rockets W 14–72–10–1Municipal Stadium Recap
15December 7 Cleveland Browns L 0–422–11–1Municipal Stadium Recap
Note: Intra-division opponents are in bold text.

Weekly recap

Week 1

The Colts and Cleveland Browns had a bye during the first week of the 1947 AAFC season, which began with a Friday night game on August 29 at Soldier Field in Chicago, attended by more than 41,000 fans. [6] The visiting Los Angeles Dons took the Chicago Rockets in the league opener by a score of 24–21. [6]

Week 2

Colt Billy Hillenbrand scored the first kickoff return touchdown in team history in the franchise's debut game. Bill Hillenbrand 2013-12-06 12-23.jpg
Colt Billy Hillenbrand scored the first kickoff return touchdown in team history in the franchise's debut game.

The Baltimore Colts franchise was formally launched on Sunday, September 7 when 27,418 fans filed into Baltimore Municipal Stadium to welcome the visiting Brooklyn Dodgers. [6] The Colts era began with a wild play, in which the ball was kicked off to Dodger rookie Elmore Harris. Harris was contacted and fumbled the ball, which was recovered by Brooklyn teammate Harry Buffington and run back the wrong way to the end zone. At the last second, realizing his error, Buffington tossed the ball away — with Colt Jim Castiglia pouncing on the loose ball for a Baltimore touchdown. [6] The Colts' Billy Hillenbrand returned the opening kickoff of the second half all the way for a second Baltimore TD in a game won by the Colts, 16–7. [6]

Week 3

The Colts traveled west to infamous Kezar Stadium to take on the San Francisco 49ers as their second opponent. The Colts scored just one time, a 90-yard touchdown drive in the second quarter that featured a 53-yard pass play from QB Bud Schwenk to former Georgia Bulldog end Lamar Davis. [7] The Niners scored the game-winner in the third quarter, however, and held on to win, 14–7. [7] The Colts finished with negative 35 yards rushing. [7]

Week 4

The battle of coaching minds between Cecil Isbell and Paul Brown turned out about how one might have anticipated when the Colts traveled to Cleveland to take on the AAFC Champion Cleveland Browns. Quarterback Otto Graham led the Browns to three first quarter touchdowns, quickly ending any hope of victory for the overmatched Colts. The Colts did manage to get the ball to the 4-yard line on a 56-yard pass play from Schwenk to Hillenbrand, but the Cleveland defense held and the visitors headed home with a 28–0 shutout loss on the books. [8]

Week 5

The New York Yankees came to Baltimore for a showdown in front of a record crowd of 51.583 fans. Even though the Colts outgained the Yankees 264 yards to 231, they found themselves playing from behind the entire game, down 14 points at the half. Colt QB Bud Schwenk got the green-and-silver inside the 10 yard line twice and to the New York 21 on another occasion but Baltimore was unable to push the ball across in a game plagued by turnovers and penalties. The halftime score of 21–7 held and the Colts fell to 1–3 on the year. [9]

Week 6

In front of a home crowd of 29,556, the Colts took advantage of five Forty-Niners' turnovers and QB Bud Schwenk passed for more than 200 yards for the first time in franchise history in jumping to a 14-point lead in the third period. It all came to naught, however, when Frankie Albert of the Niners threw two fourth quarter touchdown passes and San Francisco escaped with a 28–28 tie. [10]

Week 7

The Colts' week 9 visit to the Los Angeles Coliseum was a dispiriting 56-0 debacle. Dons-colts-program-471026.jpg
The Colts' week 9 visit to the Los Angeles Coliseum was a dispiriting 56–0 debacle.

The Colts traveled to Buffalo to play the Buffalo Bills. Once again, Baltimore jumped out to a two-score lead at the intermission, 15–7, only to falter in the second half. Trailing 20–15 with seconds remaining, the Colts' Bud Schwenk hit Lamar Davis with what appeared to be a game winning pass, only for Schwenk to have been ruled to have stepped out of bounds two feet short of the goal line. [10] The final gun was fired prematurely, and teams and fans stormed the field in a chaotic finish. The Colts protested the outcome of the game to the league office, but the result stood. [10]

Week 8

Once again the Colts jumped out to a two-score lead before folding, this time in front of 36,852 fans in Baltimore Memorial Stadium. The Los Angeles Dons scored 38 unanswered points in the final three quarters to win a laugher, 38–10. In the contest the Colts were outgained by Los Angeles, 245 yards to 184. [11] Dons kicker Ben Agajanian set an AAFC record by hitting a 53-yard kick in the game. [11]

Week 9

Following up on their 38-unanswered-point run against the Colts in Baltimore, the Los Angeles Dons dropped 56 more consecutive points on their heads at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum the very next week in a 56–0 annihilation that effectively broke the team's back. Powered by four touchdown passes by quarterback Glenn Dobbs, the Dons' win was the most-lopsided victory in AAFC history. The Colts could do nothing offensively, punting the ball 10 times for the day — another new AAFC record. [12]

Week 10

The Colts fell to 1–7–1 with a 35–21 loss to the New York Yankees in front of 21,714 people at Yankee Stadium. The Colts did manage to end their streak of scoreless quarters at 8 when QB Bud Schwenk hit halfback Billy Hillenbrand on a 21-yard passing play in the second quarter. The Colts again entered the AAFC record book by giving up 165 punt return yards and 301 combined return yards — including a touchdown runback by Bruce Alford on the opening kickoff of the game. [13]

Division standings

AAFC Eastern Division
WLTPCTDIVPFPASTK
New York Yankees 1121.8465–1378239W2
Buffalo Bills 842.6674–1–1320288T1
Brooklyn Dodgers 3101.2311–4–1181340L3
Baltimore Colts 2111.1541–5167377L1
Note: Tie games were not officially counted in the standings.
AAFC Western Division
WLTPCTDIVPFPASTK
Cleveland Browns 1211.9235–1410185W2
San Francisco 49ers 842.6674–2327264T1
Los Angeles Dons 770.5003–3328256W1
Chicago Rockets 1130.0710–6263425L3
Note: Tie games were not officially counted in the standings.

Coaching staff

Roster

Baltimores's in-season roster included the following players. [14]

† - Denotes starter

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">All-America Football Conference</span> Professional American football league operating from 1946–1949

The All-America Football Conference (AAFC) was a major professional American football league that challenged the established National Football League (NFL) from 1946 to 1949. One of the NFL's most formidable challengers, the AAFC attracted many of the nation's best players, and introduced many lasting innovations to the game. However, the AAFC was ultimately unable to sustain itself in competition with the NFL. After it folded, three of its teams were admitted to the NFL: the San Francisco 49ers, the Cleveland Browns and the original Baltimore Colts.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">1971–72 NFL playoffs</span> American football tournament

The National Football League playoffs for the 1971 season began on December 25, 1971. The postseason tournament concluded with the Dallas Cowboys defeating the Miami Dolphins in Super Bowl VI, 24–3, on January 16, 1972, at Tulane Stadium in New Orleans, Louisiana.

The NFL playoffs following the 1968 NFL season determined who would represent the league in Super Bowl III.

The 1950 NFL season was the 31st regular season of the National Football League. The merger with the All-America Football Conference (AAFC) expanded the league to 13 teams. Meanwhile, television brought a new era to the game. The Los Angeles Rams became the first NFL team to have all of its games – both home and away – televised. The Washington Redskins became the second team to put their games on TV. Other teams arranged to have selected games televised.

The 1958 NFL Championship Game was the 26th NFL championship game, played on December 28 at Yankee Stadium in New York City. It was the first NFL playoff game to be decided in sudden death overtime. The Baltimore Colts defeated the New York Giants 23–17 in what soon became widely known as "the Greatest Game Ever Played". Its legendary status in the pantheon of historic NFL games was again confirmed by a nationwide poll of 66 media members in 2019, who voted it the best game in the league's first 100 years.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Buddy Young</span> American football player and track athlete (1926–1983)

Claude Henry K. "Buddy" Young was an American professional football player and executive in the National Football League (NFL). A native of Chicago, he was Illinois state champ in track and field in the 100-yard dash. The 5'4" Young, also known as the "Bronze Bullet", had exceptional quickness and acceleration. He is one of the shortest men ever to play in the NFL, he was drafted in the 1947 AAFC Draft in the Special Draft by the New York Yankees. As a track star at the University of Illinois, he won the National Collegiate Championships in the 100 and 220-yard dash, tied the world record for the 45 and 60-yard dashes, and was the Amateur Athletic Union's 100-meter champion.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2006 Indianapolis Colts season</span> 54th season in franchise history; second Super Bowl win

The 2006 Indianapolis Colts season was the franchise's 54th season in the National Football League (NFL), the 23rd in Indianapolis and the 5th season under head coach Tony Dungy. The team failed to improve on their regular season record of 14–2 from the 2005 season, finishing at 12–4. However, they did improve upon their postseason performance and advanced further into the playoffs, winning Super Bowl XLI.

The 1968 NFL Championship Game was the 36th annual championship game. The winner of the game represented the National Football League (NFL) in the third AFL–NFL World Championship Game. The NFL title game was held December 29 at Cleveland Municipal Stadium in Cleveland, Ohio.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Charlie O'Rourke</span> American football player and coach (1917–2000)

Charles Christopher "Chuckin' Charlie" O'Rourke Sr. was an American football player and coach. He played college football as a quarterback at Boston College and professionally with Chicago Bears of the National Football League (NFL) and the Los Angeles Dons and Baltimore Colts of the All-America Football Conference (AAFC).

The 1946 Cleveland Browns season was the team's first in the All-America Football Conference (AAFC). The Browns, coached by Paul Brown, ended the year with a record of 12–2, winning the AAFC's Western Division. Led by quarterback Otto Graham, fullback Marion Motley and ends Dante Lavelli and Mac Speedie, the team won the first AAFC championship game against the New York Yankees.

The 1947 Cleveland Browns season was the team's second in the All-America Football Conference (AAFC). Led by head coach Paul Brown, Cleveland finished with a 12–1–1 record, winning the Western division and the AAFC championship for the second straight year. As in 1946, quarterback Otto Graham led an offensive attack that featured fullback Marion Motley, ends Dante Lavelli, and Mac Speedie.

The 1948 Cleveland Browns season was the team's third in the All-America Football Conference (AAFC). After winning the AAFC crown in 1946 and 1947, the league's first two years of existence, the Browns repeated as champions in 1948 and had a perfect season, winning all of their games.

The 1949 Cleveland Browns season was the team's fourth and final season in the All-America Football Conference (AAFC). The Browns finished the regular season with a 9–1–2 win–loss–tie record and beat the San Francisco 49ers to win their fourth straight league championship. In the season's sixth game on October 9, the 49ers stopped the Browns' professional football record unbeaten streak at 29 games. It began two years earlier on October 19, 1947, and included two league championship games and two ties.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ernie Case</span> American football player (1920–1995)

Ernest Francis Case was an American athlete who played quarterback for the Bruins of the University of California, Los Angeles, and professionally in the All-America Football Conference (AAFC) for the Baltimore Colts. A bomber pilot who was shot down and captured as a prisoner-of-war during World War II, Case is best remembered for leading UCLA to its first 10–0 season and a berth in the 1947 Rose Bowl game.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">1948 San Francisco 49ers season</span>

The 1948 San Francisco 49ers season was the franchise's third season in the All-America Football Conference (AAFC). The 49ers, hoped to improve upon their 8–4–2 output from the previous season. They began the season 10–0, and finished 12–2, both losses coming to eventual season champions, the Cleveland Browns.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">1946 Michigan Wolverines football team</span> American college football season

The 1946 Michigan Wolverines football team represented the University of Michigan in the 1946 Big Nine Conference football season. In their ninth year under head coach was Fritz Crisler, the Wolverines compiled a 6–2–1 record, outscored opponents 233 to 73, and finished the season in second place in the Big Nine Conference and ranked No. 6 in the final 1946 AP poll. The team's two losses came against an undefeated Army team that was ranked No. 2 in the final AP poll and against an Illinois team that won the Big Nine championship and was ranked No. 5 in the final AP poll. Michigan won its last four games by a combined score of 162 to 19, starting a 25-game winning streak that continued for nearly three years until October 8, 1949. In the final game of the 1946 season, Michigan defeated Ohio State, 58–6, the Buckeyes' worst defeat since joining the conference in 1913.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bud Schwenk</span> American football player (1917–1980)

Wilson Rutherford "Bud" Schwenk Jr. was a professional American football quarterback who played four seasons in the National Football League (NFL) and All-America Football Conference (AAFC).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Baltimore Colts</span> Professional American football team in Baltimore, Maryland, from 1953 to 1983

The Baltimore Colts were a professional American football team that played in Baltimore from 1953 to 1983, when owner Robert Irsay moved the franchise to Indianapolis. The team was named for Baltimore's history of horse breeding and racing. It was the second incarnation of the Baltimore Colts, the first having played for three years in the All-America Football Conference and one in the National Football League (NFL). This Baltimore Colts played their home games at Memorial Stadium.

The 1946 AAFC season was the first season of the All-America Football Conference, a new professional league established to challenge the market dominance of the established National Football League. The league included eight teams, broken up into Eastern and Western divisions, which played a 14-game official schedule, culminating in a league championship game.

Joe Sutton was an American football defensive back and fullback who played in the All-America Football Conference (AAFC) and the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at Temple.

References

  1. 1 2 "1947 Baltimore Colts Rosters, Stats, Schedule, Team Draftees," Pro Football Reference, www.pro-football-reference.com/
  2. 1 2 Kenneth R. Crippen, "A Brief History of the AAFC," in Kenneth R. Crippen and Matt Reaser (eds.), The All-America Football Conference: Players, Coaches, Records, Games and Awards, 1946–1949. Jefferson, NC: McFarland & Co., 2018; p. 3.
  3. ↑ "Top 100 Biggest US Cities In The Year 1940," www.biggestuscities.com/
  4. ↑ Crippen, "A Brief History of the AAFC," p. 4.
  5. ↑ "Attendance 1946," Pro Football Reference, www.pro-football-reference.com/
  6. 1 2 3 4 5 Crippen and Reaser (eds.), The All-America Football Conference, p. 101.
  7. 1 2 3 Crippen and Reaser (eds.), The All-America Football Conference, pp. 104-105.
  8. ↑ Crippen and Reaser (eds.), The All-America Football Conference, pp. 105-106.
  9. ↑ Crippen and Reaser (eds.), The All-America Football Conference, pp. 106-107.
  10. 1 2 3 Crippen and Reaser (eds.), The All-America Football Conference, pp. 108.
  11. 1 2 Crippen and Reaser (eds.), The All-America Football Conference, pp. 110.
  12. ↑ Crippen and Reaser (eds.), The All-America Football Conference, pp. 111.
  13. ↑ Crippen and Reaser (eds.), The All-America Football Conference, pp. 112.
  14. ↑ Baltimore Colts vs. New York Yankees, Sunday, September 28th. Baltimore, MD: Baltimore Colts Football Club, Inc., 1947; pp. 16–17.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.