Remembering Colt Fever, 33 years later. Were any of you there?

[BackinJax05]

33 years ago today (8/15) about 50,000 of us caught Colt Fever. We went to the old Gator Bowl on a stifling hot, humid evening to watch Channel 4's helicopter (Remember Sky4?) land in the stadium. Colts owner Bob Irsay exited the chopper to be greeted by mayor Jake Godbold.

The crowd in the stands pounded their feet and chanted: WE WANT THE COLTS! WE WANT THE COLTS! WE WANT THE COLTS! Some waved signs that read: I've got COLT fever!

Others bought Jacksonville Colts T-shirts* and caps. Remember those?

Alas, we didn't get the Colts. Still, it was a once in a lifetime experience.

*Once it was known the Colts weren't coming to Jacksonville, Misfits T-shirts sold their remaining stock of Jacksonville Colts T-shirts with a big red X over the logo.

(I wasnt able to attend, but since Sky4 was being used WJXT pre-empted their regular programming to broadcast Colt Fever live. I'll never forget sitting in my grandmother's den,  pounding my fist on the coffee table** and yelling: WE WANT THE COLTS!)

**until Gramma came in & told me to stop making so much noise.

[Adam W]

33 years ago today (8/15) about 50,000 of us caught Colt Fever. We went to the old Gator Bowl on a stifling hot, humid evening to watch Channel 4's helicopter (Remember Sky4?) land in the stadium. Colts owner Bob Irsay exited the chopper to be greeted by mayor Jake Godbold.

The crowd in the stands pounded their feet and chanted: WE WANT THE COLTS! WE WANT THE COLTS! WE WANT THE COLTS! Some waved signs that read: I've got COLT fever!

Others bought Jacksonville Colts T-shirts* and caps. Remember those?

Alas, we didn't get the Colts. Still, it was a once in a lifetime experience.

*Once it was known the Colts weren't coming to Jacksonville, Misfits T-shirts sold their remaining stock of Jacksonville Colts T-shirts with a big red X over the logo.

(I wasnt able to attend, but since Sky4 was being used WJXT pre-empted their regular programming to broadcast Colt Fever live. I'll never forget sitting in my grandmother's den,  pounding my fist on the coffee table** and yelling: WE WANT THE COLTS!)

**until Gramma came in & told me to stop making so much noise.

I do remember that. I didn't go, however. But I remember going to the Jacksonville Fair in 1979 (just after we moved to Jax) and there was a guy there selling Jacksonville Colts merchandise.

We got punked. But all's well that ends well, I suppose.

[BackinJax05]

Bob Irsay was the REAL punk 

[Adam W]

Bob Irsay was the REAL punk 

I think there are a LOT of people in Baltimore who share your opinion 

[BackinJax05]

^^ There used to be a restaurant in Baltimore (might still be in business, I dont know) that had a special BOB IRSAY ROOM. It was the mens room

All these years later, Indianapolis Colts still sounds silly.

[fsquid]

We got played in Memphis too by Irsay.

[fsujax]

I am to young to remember this, I do remember the Bulls. :-)

[mtraininjax]

Shows that cities have NO real power over a franchise, and the owners can hold the city hostage for more, more, more. Most cities go broke paying for the owner's ego.

[Tacachale]

This was before my time, but I do know the history. Knowing him, I highly doubt Jake had bought Irsay's line. He used the situation to let the league know Jacksonville was serious, and clearly it paid off.

[Tacachale]

He was serious. And the league knew it, to our benefit. But that doesn't mean he went in assuming it was a done deal. There was much to gain even if it failed, and we capitalized on it.

[I-10east]

BSC, is it Gene Smith's fault that Jax didn't get a NFL team the first go around?

[BackinJax05]

We got played in Memphis too by Irsay.

After Irsay played us, we also got played by Atlanta, New Orleans, St. Louis (now Arizona), and worst of all: Houston (now Tennessee). Im sure there were others, but I cant remember.

[BackinJax05]

I am to young to remember this, I do remember the Bulls. :-)

I remember the Bulls, too. The best game was where owner Fred Bullard came on the field to argue with officials over a blown call.

[BackinJax05]

Shows that cities have NO real power over a franchise, and the owners can hold the city hostage for more, more, more. Most cities go broke paying for the owner's ego.

Sad, but very true.

[BackinJax05]

I am to young to remember this, I do remember the Bulls. :-)

Remember the song "Here come the Bulls" 

It was classic!

Before the Bulls, we had the Sharks, then Express in the World Football League.

A few years later, and right before Colt Fever we had the Firebirds - later called the Sunbirds - of the American Football Association.