1950 Baltimore Colts season

National Football League team season March 2026 November 2013 1950-Colts-mediaguide.jpg Baltimore Colts (1947–1950) 1950 1–11 13th NFLWhile nominally in the National Conference, the Colts were in fact a "swing team" whose scheduling was different from all other NFL teams. Clem Crowe Baltimore Municipal Stadium Did not qualify none true ← 1949 Colts seasons The 1950 Baltimore Colts season was their 5th & final season as a professional football franchise, their 4th & final season in Baltimore and their only season in the National Football League. As the "odd" 13th team in the league, the 1950 Baltimore Colts did not play home-and-away games with all their conference rivals, as did the rest of the league, but rather played one game each against the entire league — with the exception they did not play the Chicago Bears, in favor of home-and-away contests against the Washington Redskins, their geographically closest rival. This change allowed the two Chicago teams to continue to develop their own local rivalry with similar home-and-away games.Walter Collier (ed.), "Browns, Colts, 49ers Join NFL," in Redskins 1950: Official Press, Radio, and Television Guide. Washington, DC: Pro Football Inc., 1950, p. 5. After falling to defeat seven consecutive times in the preseason, the 1950 Colts matched their previous season's record of 1–11, failing to qualify for the playoffs for the second consecutive year.1950 Baltimore Colts The 1950 Colts hold the dubious distinction of being the only team in NFL history to allow more than 50 points in four different games in a single season.Pro-Football-Reference.com: In a single season, from 1940 to 2011, in the NFL, in the regular season, requiring Points Allowed >= 50, sorted by most games in season matching criteria. The 462 points (38.5 points-per-game) the Colts surrendered is the most of any NFL team in the decade of the 1950s.Pro-Football-Reference.com: In a single season, from 1950 to 1959, in the Regular Season, sorted by descending Points Allowed. In their Week 6 loss to the Rams, the Colts became one of only three teams in NFL history to surrender 70 or more points in a regular season contest.In a single game, from 1940 to 2012, in the Regular Season, requiring Points Allowed >= 60, sorted by descending Points Allowed. The 1966 Giants surrendered 72 against Washington. The Baltimore Colts returned to the NFL in 1953. Preseason games Game Date Opponent Result Venue Attendance Source 0 August 8 Intersquad game Baltimore Memorial Stadium 1 August 13 Pittsburgh Steelers L 27–30 Baltimore Memorial Stadium 26,000 "Steelers Top Colts, 30–27: Geri's Goal Wins, Bobby Gage Stars," Cumberland News, Aug. 14, 1950, p. 7. 2 August 19 at Cleveland Browns L 7–34 Nippert Stadium (Cincinnati) 21,500 "Browns Rout Colts, 34–7; Graham and Groza Star," Dayton Daily News, Aug. 20, 1950, sec. 4, p. 2.Dick Forbes, "Browns Whip Baltimore by Score of 34–7: 21,500 Fans at Pro Tussle," Cincinnati Enquirer, Aug. 20, 1950, p. 49. 3 August 24 Chicago Bears L 17–21 Baltimore Memorial Stadium 17,000 Cameron C. Snyder, "Lujack Leads Chicago Bears to 21–17 Victory Over Colts: Passes to Kavanaugh for Winning Score in Games Fading Minutes," Baltimore Sun, Aug. 25, 1950, p. 15. 4 August 30 San Francisco 49ers L 14–27 Baltimore Memorial Stadium 6,000 Cameron C. Snyder, "Forty-Niners Rally to Beat Colts, 27–14, at Stadium: Victors Tally Two Touchdowns in Last Half," Baltimore Sun, Aug. 31, 1950, pp. 19–20. 5 September 2 at Los Angeles Rams L 21–70 Alamo Stadium (San Antonio) 16,380 Frank Finch, "Rams Murder Colts, 70–21: Locals, Castigated Before Game, Roar to Ten Teedees," Los Angeles Times, Sept. 3, 1950, pp. 18, 20. 6 September 4 at New York Yanks L 17–42 Fairgrounds Stadium (Shreveport, LA) 22,500 "Yankees Trim Colts, 42 to 17, in Football Exhibition: Toth Tallies 3 Touchdowns for New York," Baltimore Sun, Sept. 5, 1950, pp. 15–16. 7 September 10 at Green Bay Packers L 14–16 Wisconsin State Fair Park (Milwaukee) 17,191 "Packers Edge Spirited Colts, 16–14; Detroit Next: Ted's FG Difference; Rote Passes Bring TDs," Green Bay Press-Gazette, Sept. 11, 1950, p. 17. Schedule Week Date Opponent Result Record Venue Attendance Recap Sources 1 September 17 Washington Redskins L 14–38 0–1 Baltimore Memorial Stadium 26,267 Recap Cameron C. Snyder, "Washington Eleven Wins Over Colts, 38–14, in Opener: Taylor's Pass Catching Paces Redskin Attack," Baltimore Sun, Sept. 18, 1950, pp. 15, 18.Lewis F. Atchison, "Victory Raises Hope Redskins Will Take Giant-Killer Role," Washington Evening Star, Sept. 18, 1950, p. 21. 2 September 24 Cleveland Browns L 0–31 0–2 Baltimore Memorial Stadium 15,201 Recap Cameron C. Snyder, "Graham Leads Cleveland to 31–0 Victory Over Colts: Sends Visitors Ahead Early As Passes Click Seven Times Straight," Baltimore Sun, Sept. 25, 1950, p. 13. 3 October 2 at Chicago Cardinals L 13–55 0–3 Comiskey Park 14,439 Recap Cameron C. Snyder, "Chicago Cards Defeat Colts Eleven by 55–13," Baltimore Sun, Oct. 3, 1950, pp. 17, 21.Harry Warren, "Cards, Hardy's Passes Rout Colts, 55–13: Jim Pitches for 6 Scores, Five to Shaw," Chicago Tribune, Oct. 3, 1950, pt. 3, pp. 1, 4. 4 Bye 5 October 15 Philadelphia Eagles L 14–24 0–4 Baltimore Memorial Stadium 14,413 Recap Cameron C. Snyder, "Philadelphia Eleven Defeats Colts by 24-to-14 Score: Eagles Prevent Upset by Scoring Ten Points in Final-Quarter Rally," Baltimore Sun, Oct. 16, 1950, pp. 13, 15.Frank O'Gara, "Eagles Defeat Colts in Last 6 Minutes, 24–14: Ledbetter Gets TD, Patton Field Goal; Parmer, Ziegler, and Craft Injured," Philadelphia Inquirer, Oct. 16, 1950, pp. 27–28.Allen C. Hoffman, "Eagles Soar by Colts, 24–14, After Early-Period Scare: Champs Held to Tie for Three Quarters," Scranton Tribune, Oct. 16, 1950, p. 16. 6 October 22 at Los Angeles Rams L 27–70 0–5 Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum 16,025 Recap Frank Finch, "Rams 'Coast' to 70–27 Win: Stydahar Uses Every Possible Combination," Los Angeles Times, Oct. 23, 1950, pt. 4, p. 1, 4.James Ellis, "Los Angeles Rams Triumph Over Colts by 70 to 27: High-Scoring Contest Sets Two Records," Baltimore Sun, Oct. 23, 1950, pp. 13–14. 7 October 29 at San Francisco 49ers L 14–17 0–6 Kezar Stadium 14,800 Recap Harry Borba, "49ers Nudge Colts in Stretch, 17–14: SF Reels at Finish: Gun Stops Losers After Locals Rally," San Francisco Examiner, Oct. 30, 1950, pp. 32, 34.James Ellis, "San Francisco Forty-Niners Beat Colts by 17–14 Score: Tittle's Work Enables Baltimore Eleven to Threaten Until Finish," Baltimore Sun, Oct. 30, 1950, pp. 13-14. 8 November 5 Green Bay Packers W 41–21 1–6 Baltimore Memorial Stadium 12,981 Recap Cameron C. Snyder, "Colts Defeat Green Bay, 41 to 21, For First Victory: Winners Get 27 Points in Closing Quarter as Spavital Paces Attack," Baltimore Sun, Nov. 6, 1950, pp. 15-16.Art Daley, "Colts Splurge in Fourth Frame to Stop Packers, 41–21: Three Pass Interceptions Overcome Bays' 21–20 Edge," Green Bay Press-Gazette, Nov. 6, 1950, pp. 17–18. 9 November 12 at Pittsburgh Steelers L 7–17 1–7 Forbes Field 24,141 Recap Jim Holton, "Steeler Gridders Corral Colts, 17–7: Pittsburgh, Behind Geri, Scores All 17 Points in First Half," Oil City Derrick, Nov. 13, 1950, p. 10.Cameron C. Snyder, "Pittsburgh Eleven Scores 17–7 Triumph Over Colts: Steelers Gain 17-to-0 Lead in Opening Half," Baltimore Sun, Nov. 13, 1950, pp. 13–14. 10 November 19 New York Giants L 20–55 1–8 Baltimore Memorial Stadium 14,573 Recap Cameron C. Snyder, "Giants Rally in Last Half to Down Colts by 55 to 20: New York Team Scores 48 Points in Final Two Periods of Game," Baltimore Sun, Nov. 20, 1950, pp. 15–16.Gene Ward, "Giants Spot Colts 20 Points Then Pyramid T to 55," New York Daily News, Nov. 20, 1950, p. 64.Harold C. Burr, "Giants Open Attack Again: Roll Up Second Highest Score in History at Colts' Expense," Brooklyn Daily Eagle, Nov. 20, 1950, p. 22. 11 November 26 at Washington Redskins L 28–38 1–9 Griffith Stadium 21,275 Recap Cameron C. Snyder, "Washington Defeats Colts, 38–28, on Baugh's Passing: Veteran Back's Work Helps Redskins Take Lead in Second Period," Baltimore Sun, Nov. 27, 1950, pp. 13, 15.Arthur Edson, "Baugh Leads 'Skins Over Colts, 38–28," Elmira Advertiser, Nov. 27, 1950, p. 6. 12 December 3 Detroit Lions L 21–45 1–10 Baltimore Memorial Stadium 12,058 Recap 13 December 10 at New York Yanks L 14–51 1–11 Yankee Stadium 6,836 Recap Note: Intra-conference opponents are in bold text. Standings thumb|right|260px|Program for the October 15 game against the visiting Philadelphia Eagles. Coaching staff Head coach: Clem Crowe Backfield coach: Joel Hunt End coach: Wayne Millner Line coach: Rocco Pirro Roster Quarterbacks 63 Y. A. Tittle 68 Adrian Burk P Running backs 88 Rip Collins CB 81 Chet Mutryn 83 Frank Spaniel 76 Jim Spavital Receivers 56 Hal Crisler 55 Johnny North 51 Paul Salata Offensive lineman 41 Ernie Blandin T 33 Ken Cooper G/MG 35 Barry French T/DT 30 Earl Murray G/T 37 John Schweder G 22 Joel Williams C Defensive lineman 32 Sisto Averno MG/G 45 Don Colo DT/T 49 Art Donovan DT 54 Bob Jensen DE 57 Bob Oristaglio DE/WR Linebackers 73 Hardy Brown MLB 77 George Buksar OLB/FB 34 Ed King MLB/OLB 72 Veto Kissell OLB/FB/K Defensive backs 86 Bob Livingstone S/RB 80 Chick Maggioli CB 87 Herb Rich CB 82 Billy Stone CB/RB 89 Ernie Zalejski S/RB Reserve list 78 Leon Campbell FB (IR) 7px 52 Bob Nowaskey LB (IR) 7px 59 Jim Owens WR/DE (IR) 7px 53 Art Spinney WR (Military) rookies in italics thumb|center|900px|Baltimore Memorial Stadium with its faintly chalked lines over a dirt baseball infield — a far cry from a modern NFL stadium. Opening day, 1950. The crowd of 26,267 would be the largest of the year for the money-losing first Colts franchise. References Category:Baltimore Colts (1947–1950) seasons Baltimore Colts