Blue
Well-known member
- Mar 19, 2019
- 2,079
- 0
Born March 27, 1943, in Rockville, Md., Curtis, who starred at Duke University, was the Baltimore Colts' first-round (14th-overall) selection in the 1965 NFL Draft. Originally taken as a fullback, Curtis would eventually switch to linebacker, and would go on to make several notable plays over his 14-year career with the Colts (1965-75), the Seattle Seahawks (1976) and the Washington Redskins (1977-78).
Curtis' most memorable performance came in the Colts' victory over the Dallas Cowboys in Super Bowl V. With the two teams tied at 13 and just 1:09 left in the game, Curtis intercepted Cowboys quarterback Craig Morton's pass attempt intended for running back Dan Reeves, returning it 13 yards to the Dallas 28-yard line.
Three plays later, Jim O'Brien would connect on a game-winning 32-yard field goal to give the Colts their first Super Bowl title in franchise history.
Known affectionately by fans as "Mad Dog," Curtis was a four-time Pro Bowl selection with the Colts (1968, 1970, 1971 and 1974), and twice he was named First-Team All-Pro (1968 and 1969). In 1970, he was named the AFC's Defensive Player of the Year at the NFL 101 Awards.
In his 11-year career with the Colts, Curtis, who played in 125 games with 105 starts in Baltimore, was credited with 21 interceptions (two of which he returned for a touchdown) as well as eight fumble recoveries (one for a touchdown).