Indianapolis Colts: 30 greatest players in franchise history

An absolute brute and destructive force at defensive tackle, there’s a reason Art Donovan was nicknamed “the Bulldog” during his time in the NFL. Fortunately for the Colts, they were the main beneficiaries of his otherworldly talent along the interior.

Unfortunately, Donovan did his damage during the days when defensive stats simply weren’t a priority. So while we can’t gauge his impact by the amount of tackles for loss or sacks he racked up, there are other indicators of his immense talent. How about his five straight seasons of Pro Bowl and All-Pro honors? Or maybe that he’s now in the Pro Football Hall of Fame?

It’s easy to overlook someone like Donovan, whose playing days were over well before most of the folks reading this were even born. However, if you’re a true Colts fan, then you need to at least be familiar with the name.

Here’s another tidbit for you: Donovan played for the original Baltimore Colts, a team that folded in 1950 before eventually resurfacing a couple of years later. Look at that — a history lesson on a legendary defensive tackle and the franchise you root for.