On March 28, 1984, Bob Irsay (1923-1997), owner of the once-mighty Baltimore Colts, moves the team to Indianapolis. Without any sort of public announcement, Irsay hired movers to pack up the team's offices in Owings Mills, Maryland, in the middle of the night, while the city of Baltimore slept.Submitted by DfcukinLite t3_1266gy4 in baltimore
jabbadarth t1_je8cvxh wrote
Reply to comment by M3g4d37h in On March 28, 1984, Bob Irsay (1923-1997), owner of the once-mighty Baltimore Colts, moves the team to Indianapolis. Without any sort of public announcement, Irsay hired movers to pack up the team's offices in Owings Mills, Maryland, in the middle of the night, while the city of Baltimore slept. by DfcukinLite
>Irsay's verbal abuse of his players after a loss in a final preseason match to the Detroit Lions at the Pontiac Silverdome on September 2, 1976, led to head coach Ted Marchibroda's resignation three days later on September 5. Marchibroda was also at odds with Thomas over player personnel decisions. He was rehired two days later on September 7 after offensive and defensive coordinators Whitey Dovell and Maxie Baughan threatened to quit and the players considered boycotting practice, all in support of Marchibroda.[7][8]
>Irsay's dysfunctional relationships with certain players in contract disputes and coaches accelerated the Colts' on-field decline in the ensuing years. He was accused of bad faith bargaining and racial discrimination by running back Lydell Mitchell who was eventually sent to the San Diego Chargers on August 23, 1978.[9] Defensive end John Dutton contended that Irsay had spread "too many lies" about him and sat out the early part of the 1979 campaign while demanding a trade. He added, "I don't think he cares about the team, it's just a toy to him."[10] Dutton was dealt to the Dallas Cowboys on October 9, 1979.[11] Irsay also continually second-guessed Marchibroda.[12]
Also let's not forget irsay showing up on TV wasted drunk yelling about how this was his team and if he was gonna move it he would say so.
Irsay was a fucking shitbag. The city was trying to keep a beloved team in town that was beneficial to the city but irsay was a greedy shitbag prick.
He had years of shitty erratic behavior before he snuck away in the knight. Blame the city all you want but they were only acting in the interest of the residents (an often far cry from the leadership of today)
M3g4d37h t1_je8jmm0 wrote
> acting in the interest of the residents
First of all, we're on the same side as far as my opinion of the Irsay family - But make no mistake, it was the threat of eminent domain that directly resulted in the team moving. That's what happens every time when you fuck with a rich man's money. Schaefer gambled big and lost big. This is on his shoulders, and I loved that guy.
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