What teams are no longer in the NFL?

The National Football League (NFL) has been home to many iconic teams throughout its rich history. However, not all teams have stood the test of time. Some franchises have relocated to new cities, while others have folded altogether. In this article, we will explore the stories of three notable teams that are no longer in the NFL: the Baltimore Colts, the Cleveland Rams, and the Dallas Texans. We will also briefly touch on other teams that have ceased to exist.

Baltimore Colts

The Baltimore Colts were a professional football team that played in the NFL from 1953 to 1983. The team’s origins can be traced back to the Dallas Texans (NFL), who played in the NFL for only one season in 1952. The Texans struggled financially and were sold to a group of investors led by Carroll Rosenbloom, who moved the team to Baltimore in 1953.

Under the leadership of head coach Weeb Ewbank and quarterback Johnny Unitas, the Colts became one of the most successful teams in the NFL during the late 1950s and 1960s. They won back-to-back NFL championships in 1958 and 1959, with the 1958 championship game against the New York Giants often referred to as “The Greatest Game Ever Played.” The Colts also won Super Bowl V in 1971.

However, the team’s fortunes began to decline in the late 1970s and early 1980s. In 1984, owner Robert Irsay secretly moved the team to Indianapolis overnight, leaving Baltimore without an NFL franchise until the Ravens were established in 1996.

Cleveland Rams

The Cleveland Rams were a professional football team that played in the NFL from 1936 to 1945. The team was founded by attorney Homer Marshman and featured players such as quarterback Parker Hall and running back Johnny Drake. In 1945, the Rams won the NFL championship, defeating the Washington Redskins 15-14.

Despite their success, the Rams struggled to attract fans in Cleveland and faced financial difficulties. In 1946, owner Dan Reeves moved the team to Los Angeles, where they became the first NFL team to play on the West Coast. The Rams played in Los Angeles until 1994 before moving to St. Louis. In 2016, the team returned to Los Angeles, where they currently play.

Dallas Texans

The Dallas Texans were a professional football team that played in the NFL for one season in 1952. The team was owned by a group of investors led by Giles Miller and featured players such as quarterback Frank Tripucka and running back Buddy Young. The Texans played their home games at the Cotton Bowl but struggled to attract fans and faced financial difficulties.

After the 1952 season, the team was sold to Carroll Rosenbloom, who moved the franchise to Baltimore, where they became the Baltimore Colts. The Texans’ legacy lives on through the Kansas City Chiefs, who were founded as the Dallas Texans in the American Football League (AFL) in 1960 before moving to Kansas City in 1963.

Other teams that are no longer in the NFL:

• Brooklyn Dodgers/Tigers (folded)
• Boston Yanks (folded)
• Los Angeles Buccaneers (folded after one season in 1926)
• Frankford Yellow Jackets (folded)
• Pottsville Maroons (folded)
• Providence Steam Roller (folded)
• Dayton Triangles (folded)
• Newark Tornadoes (folded)
• Orange/Newark Tornadoes (folded)
• Rock Island Independents (folded)
• Staten Island Stapletons (folded)
• Tonawanda Kardex (folded after one game in 1921)
• Rochester Jeffersons (folded)
• Cincinnati Celts (folded after 1921 season)
• Muncie Flyers (folded after 1920 season)
• Akron Pros/Indians (folded)
• Canton Bulldogs (folded)
• Chicago Tigers/Racine Legion (folded)
• Columbus Panhandles/Tigers (folded)
• Detroit Heralds/Tigers (folded)
• Hammond Pros (folded)
• Louisville Brecks (folded after 3 games in 1921)

Many of these teams existed in the early years of the NFL, when the league was still in its infancy. Financial instability, World War II, and competition from other leagues led to the demise of many of these franchises. Some, like the Canton Bulldogs and Akron Pros, were successful in the early years of the NFL but could not sustain their success in the long run.

While the NFL has lost many teams throughout its history, the league has continued to grow and thrive. The stories of the Baltimore Colts, Cleveland Rams, and Dallas Texans remind us of the challenges and triumphs that have shaped the NFL into the iconic sports league it is today.