INDIANAPOLIS — Indiana has long been considered a mecca of basketball, and, up until 1984, the Indiana Pacers were the only major professional sports team in the entire state.
But Robert Irsay saw tons of potential in the Midwestern state — and Indianapolis, in particular — as one that could not only support a professional football franchise, but as an area that could eventually show the sport as much love and attention as it had given to basketball.
So on March 29, 1984, Irsay brought his Colts franchise to Indianapolis.