The Indianapolis Colts have featured some iconic NFL players throughout their history, but the team has also rostered some players whose fans don't usually associate with the team. Here are five players you may have forgotten played for the Colts.
5. Tony Siragusa, 1990-1996
“Goose” is typically known for his time with the Baltimore Ravens, helping the team win Super Bowl XXXV and then being heavily featured on HBO's Hard Knocks the following season. An undrafted free agent out of Pittsburgh, Siragusa was able to earn a roster spot with Indy, and started six games as a rookie. After some front office and coaching changes, Siragusa signed with the Ravens in 1997, and spent the last five years of his career in Baltimore. Siragusa's big personality helped him land a job in the sports media industry, and served as a sideline reporter for Fox Sports up until the 2016 season.
4. Andre Johnson, 2015
For 12 seasons, Johnson dominated the Colts with the division rival Houston Texans. But in 2015, Indianapolis returned the favor. They signed the Texans legend to a three-year, $21 million contract, and although Johnson didn't have a great season (41 grabs for 503 yards and four touchdowns), he caught six passes for 77 yards and two scores in Week 5 against his former team as the Colts won 27-20. Johnson was released after the season and played for another AFC South team, the Tennessee Titans, in 2016 before retiring afterwards. J.J. Watt is Johnson's only competition for greatest Texan of all time, so it was odd to see him playing for the Colts. Johnson did end up signing a one-day contract to retire with Houston, making everything right again.
3. Marshall Faulk, 1994-1998
One of the league's premier backs during the early 2000's, Faulk was the engine that made the devastating St. Louis Rams offense function. He was a home run threat both on the ground and through the air, ending his career with over 19,000 yards from scrimmage.
He was the second overall pick in 1994, and spent five years in Indy. He dealt with some injuries, and averaged just 3.8 yards per carry with the Colts. But he broke out in 1998 with 2,227 yards and 10 touchdowns in total. Extension negotiations didn't go well between Faulk and the team, and rather than risk the locker room impact that a holdout would create, general manager Bill Polian traded Faulk to the Rams, where he was even better. Faulk's yards per carry jumped a full yard during his time with St. Louis, and he was named an All-Pro in each of his first three seasons with the team. Faulk was very good with the Colts, but was great with the Rams and ended up as a 2011 Hall of Fame inductee.
2. Simeon Rice, 2007
Originally drafted third overall by the Arizona Cardinals in 1996, Rice signed with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 2001, and was one of the NFL's most terrifying pass rushers. He collected 122 sacks over his career, and the only player to reach 100 sacks quicker than Rice was Hall-of-Famer Reggie White. In 2006, Rice suffered an injury and was placed on injured reserve. He failed a physical with the team during the offseason and was released. Rice signed with the Denver Broncos, and appeared in eight games before being cut. He then joined the Colts, reuniting with former head coach Tony Dungy. Rice played in only two games with Indy, notching the final sack of his career.
1. Richard Dent, 1996
An eighth-round pick in 1983, Dent was a Pro Bowler by his second year in the league, and an All-Pro by year three. He was a key member of the vaunted 1985 Chicago Bears defense, and played a total of 12 seasons with the team. He totaled 137.5 sacks throughout his career, a number that is currently tied for 10th all-time. He joined the San Francisco 49ers in 1994, and although he played in just two games, Dent earned the second Super Bowl ring of his career (although this time he did not get to appear in a legendary music video). He returned to Chicago the following season, again struggling with injuries, appearing in only three games. He signed with the Colts in 1996, and logged 6.5 sacks as a situational pass rusher. He spent the 1997 campaign with the Philadelphia Eagles, and retired after the season. He was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2011, a well-deserved honor.
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