In the 7 seasons between 1964 and 1970, the Colts won their division 5 times. They lost the NFL Championship in ’64, lost the Super Bowl in ’68, and won it all in ’70. Even in the 2 years when they finished in 2nd place, they still had winning records (9-5 in ’66).
Don Shula was the head coach from 1963-69, so he just missed out on their SB victory.
Johnny Unitas was drafted by the Steelers in 1955. Like Len Dawson and Jack Kemp, Unitas was foolishly let go by the Steelers (who had sub-par quarterbacking in the 1960s). Johnny U. played for the Colts from 1956 to 1972, and was the starter every season except for ’68 and ’72, missing many games in those 2 seasons due to injuries.
Unitas was named to the Pro Bowl and/or first-team All-Pro every season from 1957-67. He led the NFL in passing yards 4 times (’57, ’59, ’60, ’63) and in TD passes every season from 1957-60. Unitas finished his career in 1973 with the Chargers, and was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1979.
Gary Cuozzo – An undrafted free agent, Cuozzo played for the Colts from 1963-66, the Saints in 1967, the Vikings from 1968-71, and the Cardinals in 1972. He was normally a backup QB, but started most of the games for the Saints in '67 and the Vikings in '70.
Tom Matte – The Colts’ 1st-round pick in 1961, Matte played his entire career (1961-72) for the Colts. Primarily the backup halfback for his first 6 seasons (except for starting 13 games in 1963 during Lenny Moore’s absence), Matte replaced Moore beginning in 1967, and started every game for three seasons. He started 2 games in 1970, but missed the other 12 games due to injury. He returned in 1971 to start all 14 games, then finished his career in 1972 as a backup.
Lenny Moore was the Colts’ 1st-round pick in 1956, and played his entire 12-year career for them. He was the starting halfback every season from 1956-66, although missing 7 games in 1963. A 7-time Pro Bowler and 5-time first-team All-Pro, Moore was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1975.
Jimmy Orr – Drafted by the Rams in 1957, Orr did not play for LA, but was the Steelers’ starting split end from 1958-60. Moving to the Colts in 1961, he was their starting flanker from 1962-66, and again in 1968. In 1965 he was named first-team All-Pro and snared a Pro Bowl invite. Orr started half the games in 1969, but rode the bench in his final season (1970).
Raymond Berry was drafted by the Colts in 1954, and was their starting split end for 13 seasons (1955-67), although he missed half the games in his final season. He led the NFL in receptions from 1958-60, and was a 6-time Pro Bowler and 3-time first-team All-Pro selection. Berry was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1973.
John Mackey – The Colts’ 2nd-round pick in 1963, Mackey was one of the premier tight ends during his time in the league. He was the starting TE every season from 1963-70, starting every game except for 3 in 1970. He was a 5-time Pro Bowler and 3-time first-team All-Pro selection. Mackey finished his career as a Colts’ backup in ’71 and a Chargers’ backup in ’72. He was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1992.
*Jim Parker was the Colts’ 1st-round pick in 1957, and started every game from 1957-66, except for one game in 1961. He was the left tackle for his first 6 seasons, then played left guard for 3 seasons before moving to right tackle in 1966. Parker was a first-team All-Pro selection AND a Pro Bowl participant every season from 1958-65. He finished his career as a backup tackle in 1967, and was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1973.
Bob Vogel – Drafted in the first round in 1963, Vogel started EVERY game for the Colts at left tackle for his entire career (1963-72). He was a 5-time Pro Bowl selection.
Lou Michaels was the Rams’ 1st-round pick in 1958. He started every game at right defensive end for 2 seasons, then played offensive tackle in 1960. Next, he spent 3 seasons as the Steelers’ kicker and starting left end.
He joined the Colts in 1964, but with Gino Marchetti and Ordell Braase manning the ends, Michaels was limited to his kicking chores. He replaced Marchetti at left end in 1965, and remained the starter until being replaced by Bubba Smith in 1968. Michaels was also the Colts’ kicker through the 1969 season. After missing the 1970 season, he finished his career as the Packers’ kicker in 1971.
Bob Boyd was the Colts’ 10th-round pick in 1960, and their starting left cornerback for his entire career (1960-68). He was a 3-time first-team All-Pro selection, and was named to 2 Pro Bowls.
Jerry Logan – The Colts’ 4th pick in the 1963 draft, Logan was a backup during his rookie season, then started every game at strong safety from 1964-72, except for 1 game in 1972. Hew was a 3-time Pro Bowl selection.
*Unknown to me before November 2023
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