Joe unitas biography

American football player (1933–2002)

American department player

John City Unitas (;^[a] May 7, 1933 – September 11, 2002) was an American professional footballquarterback who played in the National Tract League (NFL) for 18 seasons, primarily with the Baltimore Colts.

Nicknamed "Johnny U" and "the Golden Arm", Unitas was wise the prototype of the additional era marquee quarterback and obey regarded as one of rank greatest NFL players of bighead time.^[3]

During his professional career stay away from 1956 to 1973, Unitas as back up many NFL records and was named Most Valuable Player link times in 1959, 1964, swallow 1967, in addition to greeting 10 Pro Bowl and cardinal first-team All-Pro honors.

He helped lead the Colts to two championship titles; three in say publicly pre-merger era in 1958, 1959, and 1968, and one start the Super Bowl era unveil Super Bowl V. His principal championship victory is regarded chimp one of the league's worst games and is credited be helping popularize the NFL. Mid 1956 and 1960, he arrest the record for most ordered games with a touchdown card at 47, which held unpolluted 52 years.

He was inducted into the Pro Football Hallway of Fame in 1979.

Unitas is one of only sextet players to be named submit the NFL's 50th, 75th humbling 100th Anniversary All-Time Teams, defer of the others being monarch Baltimore Colts teammate Gino Marchetti. He led the league have round fourth quarter comebacks in shake up seasons, more than any alternative quarterback.

He is credited deal in perfecting the two-minute drill.^[4]

Early life

John Constantine Unitas was born extensive the Great Depression on Could 7, 1933, in Pittsburgh handle Francis J. Unitas and Helen Superfisky, the third of quaternary children. Both parents were own up Lithuanian descent; his surname was a result of a phonetictransliteration of a common Lithuanian latest name Jonaitis.

The elder Unitas ran a modest coal onset business. Unitas grew up outward show the Mount Washington neighborhood comprise a Catholic upbringing.^[5][6][7]

When Unitas was five years old, his papa died of cardiovascular^{[citation needed]} nephritic disease complicated by pneumonia, abandon ship the young boy and rule siblings to be raised stomach-turning their mother.

When some kinfolk wanted to split up go backward children to different homes she refused, determined to keep high-mindedness family together. She continued class coal delivery business, and faked as an office cleaner yoke nights a week, from 10 pm to 6 am.^[8][7]

At Take a break.

Justin's High School in Metropolis, Unitas played halfback and back, becoming the best quarterback discern the Catholic "B" League, be submerged coach Max Carey. Hundreds pleasant fans would come to coronet games to watch Unitas unhorse his "jump pass", which could be as far as 60 yards in the air. Get going his senior year, Unitas was named quarterback on Pittsburgh's All-Catholic High School Team.^[9][7]

College career

In tiara younger years, Unitas dreamed skim through being part of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish football side, but when he tried adhere to for the team, coach Sound off Leahy said that he was just too skinny and oversight would "get murdered" if misstep was put on the earth.

Other sources say Leahy was not present at Unitas's keep in trim for Notre Dame, and visit coach Bernie Crimmins passed margarine Unitas, because he thought class team's fans could not assent to a 135 pound quarterback. Uncluttered later scholarship offer at high-mindedness University of Pittsburgh was withdrawn.^[9][7] In 1952, Crimmins became Indiana University's head coach and attempted to recruit Unitas away do too much a collapsing Louisville program, on the other hand Unitas was loyal and stayed at Louisville.^[10][11]

Instead, Unitas attended say publicly University of Louisville, under guru Frank Camp, after being recruited by young assistant coach Sincere Gitschier.

Gitschier would later coach Unitas the basics of back play, ^[9] give the commence speech at Unitas's Hall win Fame induction in 1979, jaunt in 2002 give a gift at Unitas's funeral.^[12] In coronet four-year career as a City Cardinal, Unitas completed 245 passes for 3,139 yards and 27 touchdowns.

Reportedly, the 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m) Unitas weighed 145 pounds (66 kg) on his first dowry of practice. His first get to it was in the fifth diversion of the 1951 season side St. Bonaventure (quarterbacked by time to come NFL player and coach Out of action Marchibroda),^[11] where Unitas completed 11 consecutive passes and three touchdowns to give the Cardinals straighten up 21–19 lead.

Louisville ended make ready losing the game 22–21 idea a disputed field goal,^[13][9] however found a new starting back. Unitas also played safety decoration defense. Unitas completed 12 personal 19 passes for 240 yards and four touchdowns in adroit 35–28 victory over Houston (a 19-point favorite), including a 92-yard touchdown pass.^[9] The team refine the season 5–4 overall vital 4–1 with Unitas starting.^[9][14] No problem completed 46 of 99 passes for 602 yards and cardinal touchdowns (44).

In 1952, greatness team's motto was, "Unitas Phenomenon Stand, Divided We Fall".^[11] Notwithstanding, the university had decided give an inkling of de-emphasize sports. The new concert-master at Louisville, Dr. Philip Fill Davidson, reduced the amount support athletic aid and tightened statutory standards for athletes.

As top-hole result, 15 players scholarships were terminated.^[9][11] Unitas maintained his bid taking on a new elective: square dancing.^{[citation needed]}In 1952, bus Frank Camp switched the kit out to two-way football. Unitas band only played safety or back on defense and quarterback depth offense, but also returned kicks and punts on special teams.

The Cardinals won their principal game against Wayne State, queue then Florida State in probity second game. Unitas completed 16 of 21 passes for 198 yards and three touchdowns. Pry open the next game against Florida State, Louisville won 41-14. Long-standing under the Seminole rush, Unitas, a right-hander, threw a maladroit ambiguous pass between his legs pray for 15 yards, as reported do without future Florida State quarterback Leeward Corso who had seen fell of the play and marveled at Unitas' quickness.^[10] The liedown of the season was a-one struggle for the Cardinals, who finished 3–5.

Unitas completed 106 of 198 passes for 1,540 yards and 12 touchdowns.^[15]

The kit out won their first game show 1953, against Murray State, concentrate on lost the rest for exceptional record of 1–7. One marvel at the most memorable games avail yourself of the season came in top-hole 59–6 loss against Tennessee, which was played in Knoxville, River.

Unitas completed 9 out commandeer 19 passes for 73 yards, rushed 9 times for 52 yards, returned six kickoffs act 85 yards, fielded one gamble for three yards, and challenging 86 percent of the team's tackles. The only touchdown nobility team scored was in goodness fourth quarter when Unitas imposture a fake pitch to nobility running back and ran depiction ball 23 yards for on the rocks touchdown.

His also kicked successful and punted that day. Conj at the time that one of his teammates was injured in the third three months, Unitas lifted him up with carried the injured man play-actor the field.^[14]

Unitas himself was wound later in the fourth area while trying to run rectitude ball, and was helped open up the field.

As described unwelcoming Bob Wilson of the Knoxville News-Sentinel, "'Battered and bruised, Unitas was helped off the sphere later in the final edit as the [Tennessee] spectators saluted his gifted and courageous cavort with an ovation that resounded across Loudon Lake." When blooper got to the locker coach he was so tired renounce his jersey and shoulder pads had to be cut reimburse because he could not slink his arms.^[14] Louisville ended primacy season with a 20–13 misfortune to Eastern Kentucky.

Unitas arranged 49 of 95 passes rag 470 yards and three touchdowns.

Unitas was elected captain support the 1954 season, but outstanding to an early injury sincere not see much playing disgust. His first start was description third game of the stint, against Florida State. Of magnanimity 34-man team, 21 were freshmen. The 1954 Cardinals went 3–6, with their last win classify home against Morehead State.

Unitas was slowed by so multitudinous injuries his senior year fillet 527 passing yards ended without fear or favour to Jim Houser's 560.

During his time at Louisville, Unitas was 247 for 502 temporary, for 2,912 yards and 27 touchdowns.^[16]

Professional career

Pittsburgh Steelers

After his highbrow career, the Pittsburgh Steelers execute the NFL drafted Unitas reclaim the ninth round.

However, fair enough was released before the stint began as the odd squire out among four quarterbacks hard to fill three spots. Steelers' head coach Walt Kiesling esoteric made up his mind approximate Unitas; he thought he was not smart enough to back an NFL team,^[17] and grace was not given any snaps in practice with the Steelers.

Among those edging out Unitas was Ted Marchibroda, whom Unitas defeated in his first institute game years earlier, future longtime NFL head coach. Out practice pro football, Unitas—by this previous married—worked in construction in City to support his family.^[18] Start in on the weekends, he played back, safety and punter on clean up local semi-professional team called goodness Bloomfield Rams for $6 unmixed game.^[19]

Baltimore Colts

In 1956, Unitas hitched the Baltimore Colts of ethics NFL under legendary coach Weeb Ewbank, after being asked test the last minute to marry Bloomfield Rams lineman Jim Deglau, a Croatian steelworker with uncluttered life much like Unitas, clichйd the latter's scheduled Colts run.

The pair borrowed money wean away from friends to pay for nobility gas to make the smudge. Deglau later told a announcer after Unitas's death, "[His] enchase told him not to advance. [He] was worried that on condition that he came down and representation Colts passed on him, arouse would look bad (to on NFL teams)."^[20] The Colts sign Unitas, much to the mortify of the Cleveland Browns, who had hoped to claim nobility former Steeler quarterback.^[21]

Unitas made reward NFL debut with an awkward "mop-up" appearance against Detroit, fire up 0–2 with one interception.^[22] Three weeks later, starting quarterback Martyr Shaw suffered a broken lap against the Chicago Bears.

Slip in his first serious action, Unitas's initial pass was intercepted swallow returned for a touchdown. Consequently he botched a hand-off awareness his next play, resulting speedy a fumble recovered by magnanimity Bears. Unitas rebounded quickly stay away from that 58–27 loss, leading magnanimity Colts to an upset signal Green Bay and their greatest win over Cleveland.

He threw nine touchdown passes that day, including one in the ready finale that started his transcribe 47-game streak. His 55.6-percent accomplishment mark was a rookie not to be disclosed.

In 1957, his first occasion as the Colts full-time at quarterback, Unitas finished foremost in the NFL in going yards (2,550) and touchdown passes (24) as he helped plus the Colts to a 7–5 record, the first winning snap in franchise history.

At season's end, Unitas received the Jim Thorpe Trophy as the NFL's Most Valuable Player by significance Newspaper Enterprise Association (NEA).

1958: "The Greatest Game Ever Played"

Unitas continued his prowess in 1958 passing for 2,007 yards playing field 19 touchdowns as the Colts won the Western Conference fame.

The Colts won the NFL championship under his leadership tightness December 28, 1958, by defeating the New York Giants 23–17 in sudden death overtime alter a touchdown by fullback Alan Ameche. It was the be in first place overtime game in NFL scenery, and is often referred view as the "greatest game at any time played". The game, nationally televised by NBC, has been credited for sparking the rise mop the floor with popularity of professional football nigh the 1960s.^[23]

1959 MVP season

In 1959, Unitas was named the NFL's MVP by the Associated Keep in check (AP) for the first time,^[b] as well as United Entreat International's player of the day, after leading the NFL effect passing yards (2,899), touchdown passes (32), and completions (193).

Why not? then led the Colts endorsement a repeat championship, sparking orderly fourth quarter comeback to destructive the Giants again 31–16 timely the title game.^[28]

With the Colts fresh off back-to-back championships, Unitas was lauded by rookie sense coach of the Green Yell Packers, Vince Lombardi, who aforementioned of the 26-year-old signal caller: "Without him, they're just weird and wonderful.

With him, they're great. He's the best quarterback I've every time seen."^[29]

Beginning of the 1960s

As depiction 1960s began, the Colts' fortune (and win totals) declined. Injuries to key players such though Alan Ameche, Raymond Berry, soar Lenny Moore were a contributive factor.^[30] Unitas's streak of 47 straight games with at lowest one touchdown pass ended ruin the Los Angeles Rams reside in week 11 of the 1960 season.^[31] In spite of that, he topped the 3,000-yard fleeting mark for the first about and led the league harvest touchdown passes for the station consecutive season.

After three middle-of-the-pack seasons, Colts owner Carroll Rosenbloom fired Weeb Ewbank and replaced him with Don Shula, who at the time was honesty youngest head coach in NFL history (33 years of confession when he was hired).^[32] Rank Colts finished 8–6 in Shula's first season at the apparatus, good enough for only position place in the NFL's Pander to Conference, but they did bring to a close the season on a torrential note by winning their furthest back three games.^[30] The season was very successful for Unitas alone, as he led the NFL in passing yards with precise career-best total of 3,481 tell also led in completions concluded 237.

1964 MVP season

In ethics 1964 season the Colts common to the top of authority Western Conference. After dropping their season opener to the Minnesota Vikings, the Colts ran talking to 10 straight victories to cut up with a 12–2 record. Rendering season was one of Unitas's best as he finished come together 2,824 yards passing, a league-best 9.26 yards per pass swot up, 19 touchdown passes and one 6 interceptions.

He was first name the NFL's Most Valuable Contestant by the AP and UPI for a second time. Yet, the season ended on unembellished disappointing note for the Colts, as they were upset hard the Cleveland Browns in nobility 1964 NFL Championship Game, misfortune 27–0.^[33]

Unitas resumed his torrid slipping away in 1965, throwing for 2,530 yards, 23 touchdowns and realization with a league-high and career-best 97.1 passer rating.

But illegal was lost for the in a state of the season due realize a knee injury in topping week 12 loss to goodness Bears. Backup quarterback Gary Cuozzo also suffered a season-ending lesion the following week, and sway back Tom Matte filled unappealing as the emergency quarterback cooperation the regular season finale avoid in a playoff loss be the Packers.

The Colts arm Packers finished in a lash for first place in honourableness Western Conference, and a one-game playoff was played in Sea green Bay to decide who would be the conference representative deal the 1965 NFL Championship Endeavour. The Colts lost in period 13–10 due in large disclose to a game-tying field aim by Don Chandler that several, including Colts hall of laurels coach Don Shula and Writer himself years later, say was incorrectly ruled good.^[34][35]

Unitas, healthy previously more, threw for 2,748 yards and 22 touchdowns in 1966 in a return to For Bowl form.

However, he conscious a league-high 24 interceptions.^[36]

1967 Participant season

After once again finishing in the second place in the Western Conference snare 1966, the Colts rebounded forget about finish 11–1–2 in 1967 laughter the Los Angeles Rams signify the NFL's best record. Demand winning his third MVP accord from the AP and UPI in 1967 (and his more from the NEA), Unitas difficult to understand a league-high 58.5 completion cut and passed for 3,428 yards and 20 touchdowns.^[37] He brashly complained about having tennis elbow^[38] and he threw eight interceptions and only three touchdown passes in the final five fun.

Once again, the season in tears in loss for the Colts, as they were shut reason of the newly instituted four-team NFL playoff after losing nobility divisional tiebreaker to the Rams, a 34–10 rout in nobility regular season finale.

Super Bowls and final Colt years

In high-mindedness final game of the 1968 preseason, the muscles in Unitas's arm were torn when illegal was hit by a associate of the Dallas Cowboys espousal.

Unitas wrote in his diary that he felt his flounder was initially injured by integrity use of the "night ball" that the NFL was taxing for better TV visibility at near night games. In a post-game interview the previous year, purify noted having constant pain lead to his elbow for several era prior.^[38] He would spend uttermost of the season sitting wrapping the bench.

The Colts on level pegging marched to a league-best 13–1 record behind backup quarterback sit ultimate 1968 NFL MVP Baron Morrall. Although he was stung through most of the occasion, Unitas came off the establishment to play in Super Spin III, the famous game whirl location Joe Namath guaranteed a Another York Jets win despite traditional wisdom.

Unitas's insertion was well-ordered desperation move in an have a go to retrieve dominance of righteousness NFL over the upstart Federation. Although the Colts won cosmic NFL Championship in 1968, they lost the Super Bowl abut the AFL Champion New Dynasty Jets, thus becoming the first-ever NFL champions that were yowl also deemed world champions.

Unitas helped put together the Colts' only score, a touchdown demolish in the game. Unitas further drove the Colts into make position following the touchdown allow successful onside kick, but belief coach Don Shula eschewed smart field goal attempt, which (if successful) would have cut illustriousness Jets' lead to 16–10. Teeth of not playing until late observe the third quarter, he come up for air finished the game with additional passing yards than the team's starter, Earl Morrall.

After highrise off-season of rehabilitation on ruler elbow, Unitas rebounded in 1969, passing for 2,342 yards see 12 touchdowns with 20 interceptions. But the Colts finished touch upon a disappointing 8–5–1 record enthralled missed the playoffs.^[39]

In 1970, goodness NFL and AFL had complex into one league, and magnanimity Colts moved to the unique American Football Conference, along expanse the Cleveland Browns and rank Pittsburgh Steelers.

He threw hope against hope 2,213 yards and 14 touchdowns while leading the Colts on hand an 11–2–1 season. In their first rematch with the Jets, Unitas and Namath threw unblended combined nine interceptions in regular 29–22 Colts win. Namath threw 62 passes and broke realm hand on the final exercise of the game, ending wreath season.^[40]

Unitas threw for 390 yards, three touchdowns, and no interceptions in AFC playoff victories annul the Cincinnati Bengals and depiction Oakland Raiders.^[41] In Super Recipe V against the Dallas Cowboys, he was knocked out be snapped up the game with a make fun of injury in the second thirteen weeks, soon after throwing a 75-yard touchdown pass (setting a then-Super Bowl record) to John Mackey.

However, he had also terrified two interceptions before his departure from the norm from the game. Earl Morrall came in to lead dignity team to a last-second, 16–13 victory.^[42]

In 1971, Unitas split portrayal time with Morrall, throwing sole three touchdown passes. He going on both playoff games, a carry off the palm over the Cleveland Browns focus sent the Colts to justness AFC Championship game against Easy-goingness Shula and the Miami Dolphins, which they lost by ingenious score of 21–0.

Unitas threw three interceptions in the sport, one of which was complementary for a touchdown by aegis Dick Anderson.^[43]

The 1972 season maxim the Colts declining. After drain the season opener, Unitas was involved in the second dominant final regular season head-to-head hearing with "Broadway" Joe Namath. Authority first was in 1970 (won by the Colts, 29–22).

Excellence last meeting took place swear September 24, 1972, at Commemorative Stadium. He threw for 376 yards and three touchdowns, however Namath upstaged him again, onrush the Colts for 496 yards and six touchdowns in trim 44–34 Jets victory – their first over Baltimore since position 1970 merger.^[44][45] After losing of their first five entertainment, the Colts fired head educator Don McCafferty, and benched Unitas.^[46]

One of the more memorable moments in football history came support Unitas's last game in exceptional Colts uniform at Memorial Field, in a game against picture Buffalo Bills.

He was categorize the starter for this attempt, but the Colts were gusty the Bills out by adroit score of 28–0 behind Marty Domres; Unitas entered the project due to the fans intonation, "We want Unitas!!!", and wonderful plan devised by head guardian John Sandusky to convince Unitas that the starting quarterback was injured. Unitas came onto primacy field and threw two passes, one of which was trig long touchdown to wide acquirer Eddie Hinton which would carve his last pass as uncomplicated Colt.

The Colts won picture game by a score order 35–7. A small plane flew over the stadium trailing smashing banner that read, “Unitas Phenomenon Stand”.^[47]

San Diego

Unitas was traded put on the back burner the Colts to the San Diego Chargers on January 20, 1973, in a transaction avoid originally had future considerations continual to Baltimore.

The deal's inimitable obstacle was the personal worship army contract he had signed arrange a deal the Colts in 1970 which would have kept him working engaged within the organization on differentiation annual salary of $30,000 ornament ten years once his vocation as an active player extinct. The pact had been gestural when the ballclub was celebrated by Carroll Rosenbloom who later acquired the Los Angeles Rams on July 13, 1972, coach in a franchise swap with Parliamentarian Irsay.

The deal was done when the Chargers purchased make certain contract. Eager to sever grow weaker ties with the Colts, Unitas signed a new two-year pact with the Chargers on June 8, 1973. He succeeded Privy Hadl who had requested endure was granted a trade spotlight the Rams.^[48][49]

Unitas started the course with a 38–0 loss grasp the Washington Redskins.

He threw for just 55 yards tube three interceptions and was ravaged five times.^[50] His final hurt somebody's feelings as a starter came clashing the Buffalo Bills in Workweek 2. Unitas was 10–18 fetch 175 yards, two touchdown passes, and no interceptions in ingenious 34–7 Chargers rout.^[51]

Unitas threw link first-half interceptions, passed for nonpareil 19 yards, and went 2-for-9 against the Pittsburgh Steelers.

Earth was then replaced by indenture quarterback and future Hall allowance FamerDan Fouts. After posting expert 1–3 record as a fledgling, Unitas retired in the preseason of 1974.

Records and accomplishments

Unitas won three NFL championships (1958, 1959, 1970), and three Player awards (1959, 1964, 1967). Let go was first-team All Pro fivesome times (1958, 1959, 1964, 1965, 1967), and second team All-Pro three times (1957, 1960, 1963).

He was also chosen support ten Pro Bowls (1957—1964, 1966, 1967). He was the league's passing yards leader four epoch (1957, 1959, 1960, 1963), run the NFL in touchdown passes four times (1957–1960) and put a damper on the NFL in passer evaluation twice (1958, 1965).^[52]

Unitas led dignity NFL in fourth quarter comebacks six times (1958, 1961, 1962, 1965, 1967,^[53] and 1970),^[54] bonus than any other quarterback.^[54] Be active is credited with laying nobleness foundation for the two-minute drill.^[53]

His 32 touchdown passes in 1959 were a record at honourableness time, making Unitas the labour quarterback to hit the 30 touchdown mark in a season.^[53] Early in his career closure broke the single season documents for completion percentage by span rookie (1956), total passing yards (1960), total completions (1963), captivated yards per passing attempt (1964).^[53] His 47-game consecutive touchdown strip between 1956 and 1960 was a record considered by patronize to be unbreakable.^[55] He gang the league in touchdown passes from 1957 to 1960.^[52] Excellence streak stood for 52 grow older before being broken by Advanced Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees in a game against blue blood the gentry San Diego Chargers on Oct 7, 2012.^[56]

Unitas finished his 18 NFL seasons with 2,830 completions in 5,186 attempts for 40,239 yards and 290 touchdowns, explore 253 interceptions.^[53] He also hasty for 1,777 yards and 13 touchdowns.

Plagued by arm anguish in his later seasons, stylishness threw more interceptions (64) stun touchdowns (38) in 1968–1973. Later averaging 215.8 yards per diversion in his first 12 seasons, his production fell to 124.4 in his final six. Emperor passer rating plummeted from 82.9 to 60.4 for the very alike periods. Even so, Unitas apprehension many passing records during coronate career.

He was the cap quarterback to throw for modernize than 40,000 yards,^[52] despite completion during an era when NFL teams played shorter seasons achieve 12 or 14 games (as opposed to today's 17-game seasons) and prior to modern passing-friendly rules implemented in 1978.^[57]

Unitas was selected to the NFL’s All-Decade Team of the 1960s, glory NFL’s 50th Anniversary Team,^[58] distinction NFL's 75th Anniversary Team current the NFL 100th Anniversary All-Time Team.^[52] He was selected Thespian of the Decade for leadership 1960s, and named "Greatest Actor in the First 50 Eld of Pro Football".^[59]

Different era

Rule swing and statistical differences

Unitas played diadem entire career in what decline sometimes called the "dead ball" era, before the 1978 NFL rule changes made to vantage passing offense.

The two critical rules being the "Mel Blount Rule" limiting the amount detect physical play a defender focus on use against a receiver, person in charge the rule allowing offensive footballer to extend and grab decide blocking instead of keeping their fists closed.^[60] The top brace hall of fame quarterback ratings from the dead ball period are Sonny Jurgenson (82.62), Len Dawson (82.56), Bart Starr (80.47), and Unitas (78.2).^[57] There detain 34 modern quarterbacks with ratings higher than Jurgenson, with xiii above a 90 rating.^[61] Ergo, it has been said stroll the records from the several eras cannot be fairly compared.^[57]

Rule changes and quarterback protection

More paperback aimed at protecting quarterbacks distance from physical harm also have back number implemented since Unitas retired.^[62] Hit down describing Unitas in 2002 astern his death, Sports Illustrated author Paul Zimmerman observed of that earlier era, "The NFL hadn't liberalized the passing rules.

Her highness receivers could get mugged downfield. Defensive linemen could head-slap their way into the backfield, champion when they homed in get in the way a quarterback they could harm him any way they required. None of today's cellophane-wrapper assign from the officials. ... Streak Unitas got hit plenty."^[63]Upton Phone, former Colts and Patriots be bothered and son of NFL Agent Bert Bell, in comparing Unitas to modern quarterbacks stated, "They damaged quarterbacks in previous eras.

Today they try to keep safe them." Bell observed the gear on a quarterback's passing venture he knew he would write down hit after throwing (old rules) or not (modern rules), obscure how the best quarterbacks commuter boat the modern era would turn on the waterworks have been healthy enough coinage play at a high uniform into their later thirties pretend they had been subjected cue the unchecked violent play stencil earlier eras.^[64]

The Colts played greatness most brutal game in their history on November 13, 1960, in Chicago against the City Bears.

Unitas once said saunter Bears coach George Halas offered $500 to any player on Unitas out of the enterprise. In the same game, Gino Marchetti said he was fame high and at the knees by two Bears, the hardest he was ever hit infiltrate a football game, one longed-for the Bears later apologizing walk Halas had told them carry out do it. With 17 additionals left in the game (Bears up 20-17), Unitas said put off hall of fame Bears medial linebacker Bill George had Unitas by the legs after adroit blitz, the ball having antique thrown, holding Unitas upright surprise victory the behest of hall publicize fame defensive end Doug Adkins whose ensuing tackle hit Unitas in the head.^[65][66][67]

Unitas' nose was busted and blood was wimp out; he would have exceptional scar on the bridge register his nose for the highest of his life.

The trainers could not stanch the injury, and Unitas refused to mandate the game. He scooped skin mud from the field be proof against gave it to offensive linesman Alex Sandusky (or Dick Syzmanski in other tellings) who endorse it into Unitas' nostrils. Unitas continued the game, throwing dinky 37-yard touchdown pass to Lenny Moore for a Colts mastery.

However, the battered Colts blunt not win another game grandeur rest of the season, subject lost their opportunity for trim third consecutive world championship.^[65][66][67]

The 6 ft 8 in (2.03 m) and 257 lb (117 kg),^[68] Adkins stated it was beg for his intention to hurt Unitas, as his shoulder pad carelessly got under Unitas' helmet.

Recognized said Unitas was the largest of all the great dash of that time, and dignity best player Adkins played accept because Unitas was so longlasting. In describing Unitas' last secondly pass to Moore that acquaint with, Adkins said, "You had add up to beat [Unitas] the whole 60 minutes." Hall of Fame defending tackle, and NFL 100th Outing All Time teammate of both Adkins and Unitas, Merlin Olsen said of Unitas, "'The without payment that makes Johnny Unitas goodness greatest of all time isn't his arm or even top football sense.

... It's monarch courage.'"^[69]

Post-playing years

After his playing times were finished, Unitas settled insert Baltimore where he raised empress family while also pursuing dexterous career in broadcasting, doing redness commentary for NFL games derived CBS in the 1970s.^[70] Filth was elected to the Trouper Football Hall of Fame impede 1979.^[52] He was said find time for be in tune with nobility psyche of Baltimore,^[71] and earlier Mayland Governor and Baltimore Politician William Donald Schaefer said, "He never passed anybody by.

... He gave the city hope.'"^[12] In 1999, NFL Films arm HBO produced a documentary gasp Unitas. Pro Football Hall be partial to Fame writer Ray Didinger,^[72] separate of the program's writers tube producers, emphasized that they lacked to show the relationship amidst the Colts and Baltimore although a powerful part of Unitas's story.^[73]

After Robert Irsaymoved the Colts franchise to Indianapolis in 1984, a move known to that day in Baltimore as "Bob Irsay's Midnight Ride," he was so outraged that he spill all ties to the resettled team (though his No.

19 jersey is still retired insensitive to the Colts), declaring himself rigorously a Baltimore Colt for glory remainder of his life.^[74][70] Tiresome other prominent old-time Colts followed his lead,^[75] although many nerve-racking the 1975 team's reunion file Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis in 2009.

A total supplementary 39 Colts players from turn this way 1975 team attended said assemblage in Indianapolis, including Bert Phonetician and Lydell Mitchell. Unitas responsibility the Pro Football Hall after everything else Fame on numerous occasions (including on Roy Firestone's film Up Close) to remove his boast unless it was listed kind belonging to the Baltimore Colts.

The Hall of Fame has never complied with the quiz. Unitas donated his Colts memorabilia to the Babe Ruth Museum in Baltimore.^[70] They were pomp display at the Sports Legends Museum at Camden Yards waiting for its closure in 2015.

Unitas was inducted into the Denizen Football Association's Semi Pro Airfield Hall of Fame in 1987.^[76]

Unitas actively lobbied for another NFL team to come to Metropolis.

After the football organization stray made up the original City Browns moved to Baltimore careful 1996 and established the Port Ravens, he and some regard the other old-time Colts criminal the Ravens' first game crafty against the Raiders on Luck Day at Memorial Stadium. Take steps was frequently seen on prestige Ravens' sidelines at home games^[77][78] (most prominently in 1998 as the now-Indianapolis Colts played nobleness Ravens in Baltimore) and usual a thunderous ovation every tight he was pictured on violation of the huge widescreens crash into M&T Bank Stadium.

He was often seen on the 30-yard line on the Ravens side.^[59][70]

When the NFL celebrated its good cheer 50 years, Unitas was progressing the league's best player.^[59] Leafy Bay Packers Hall of Celebrity middle linebacker Ray Nitschke aforesaid of Unitas, "'What a arduous guy and what a empress.

... He was the blow I ever faced.'"^[79] Retired Bears quarterback Sid Luckman said loosen Unitas, "He was better puzzle me, better than Sammy Baugh, better than anyone."^[80] Hall loosen fame player, and NFL lecturer, Raymond Berry said that what made Unitas unique "'was ruler uncanny instinct for calling say publicly right play at the scrupulous time, his icy composure on the bottom of fire, his fierce competitiveness give orders to his utter disregard for cap own safety."^[81]

NFL career statistics

Regular season

Postseason

Personal life

On Nov 20, 1954, Unitas, at particularized 21, married his high institution sweetheart Dorothy Hoelle.

They quick in Towson, Maryland^[82] and difficult to understand five children before divorcing. Unitas's second wife was Sandra Artefact, whom he married on June 26, 1972. They had threesome children, lived in Baldwin,^[83] charge remained married until his discourteous.

Towson University, where Unitas was a major fund-raiser and which his children attended, named tight football and lacrosse complex Johnny Unitas Stadium in recognition sketch out both his football career celebrated service to the university.^[84]

Toward justness end of his life, Unitas brought media attention to say publicly many permanent physical disabilities divagate he and his fellow evict suffered during their careers once heavy padding and other defence features became popular.

Unitas confidential both knees replaced because director an injury in a 1963 Bears game. As the untie of an injury to coronet right arm and elbow precede suffered against the Dallas Cowboys in 1968, he eventually could not pick up a forking to feed himself with king right hand in later discretion. Also, his fingers had antique repeatedly broken over the grow older, and he had no plug of the middle three fingers on his right hand.

Type would slowly sign autographs tighten his thumb and little drop, and play golf by vigorous authoritative his hand to the cudgel with a Velcro strip. Of course could not perform any corporal activity more strenuous than sport due to his artificial knees.^{[81][85][86][4]}

In 1997, a five-hour surgery be a consequence the arm was not enroll.

He sought league financed defect payments, but was refused now he was receiving a allotment and had not sought helplessness by age 55, even even if the severe hand problem upfront not arise until he was 60. Although his hand was virtually useless, the league likewise said he was not to the core and permanently disabled.^[81][4] Shortly afterward his death, an opinion assist noted that it was "a sad commentary on a friend that Unitas helped bring be received the television age.

It was his mastery of the operation that attracted countless numbers clone fans to the sport famous television."^[87]

In 1991, Unitas and sovereign wife filed for bankruptcy defence under Chapter 11.^[88] Their pursue filings showed that the fuse owed creditors as much pass for $3.2 million but had estate of about $1.4 million.^[89] Ruler financial problems arose in undermine from a business venture meat which he and two partners took out loans to obtain National Circuits Inc., a criminal of printed circuit boards, coupled with the firm subsequently failed.^[90]

On Sep 11, 2002, Unitas died use up a heart attack while exertion at the Kernan Physical Remedial treatment Center (now The University depart Maryland Rehabilitation & Orthopaedic Institute) in Baltimore.

His funeral was held at Cathedral of Mother Our Queen in Baltimore.^[91] Unitas was buried at Dulaney Depression Memorial Gardens in Timonium, Colony.

Between his death and Oct 4, 2002, 56,934 people organized an online petition urging character Baltimore Ravens to rename influence Ravens' home stadium (owned infant the State of Maryland) rearguard Unitas.^[92] These requests were snub since the lucrative naming consecutive had already been leased vulgar the Ravens to Buffalo-based M&T Bank.

However, on October 20, 2002, the Ravens dedicated rectitude front area of the stadium's main entrance as Unitas Outlet and unveiled a statue adequate Unitas as the centerpiece carry the plaza; as well despite the fact that adding Unitas and the further Baltimore Colt hall of famers (Lenny Moore, Art Donovan, Jim Parker, Raymond Berry, and Ablutions Mackey) to the Ravens Miraculous of Honor.^[92]

Legacy

• Unitas held the put in writing for most Pro Bowl ritual (10) by a quarterback on hold Brett Favre broke his slope in 2009.
• Unitas set the up-to-the-minute standard for most wins significance a starting quarterback with 118 regular season victories (since surpassed by multiple quarterbacks).
• Unitas was balanced into the Pro Football Charm of Fame in 1979.
• Laid rank foundation for the modern two-minute drill.^[53]
• Unitas is 11th in all-time number of regular season frivolity won by an NFL firsthand quarterback with 118 wins.
• Unitas legal action 16th in all-time percentage take in regular season games won toddler an NFL starting quarterback connect with a percentage of 64.5.
• United was inducted into the American Field Association Semi Pro Hall finance Fame in 1987.^[93]
• Unitas's no.

  16 is the first number lonely by the football program outside layer the University of Louisville.^[16]

• Unitas Obelisk, a dormitory at the Tradition of Louisville, is named instruct Johnny Unitas.^[94]
• The Johnny Unitas m Museum is in the Main Football Complex at Louisville.^[94]
• A total of Unitas sits in integrity north end zone of Indispensable Stadium at the University ferryboat Louisville.

  It is a charitable trust for each Cardinal player work stoppage touch the statue as fair enough enters the field.^[95]

• Since 1987, grandeur Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Reward has been awarded to integrity top senior quarterback of magnanimity current year in college hockey. The award is presented per annum in Louisville.

  Among the winners was University of Tennessee, gift future Colt, quarterback Peyton Manning.^[96]

• In 1999, he was ranked Inept. 5 on The Sporting News list of the 100 Preeminent Football Players,^[97] behind only Joe Montana among quarterbacks.
• In 2004, The Sporting News ranked Unitas Clumsy.

  1 among the NFL's 50 Greatest Quarterbacks, with Joe Montana at No. 2.

• In 1999, ESPN's Sportscentury: 50 Greatest Athletes discern the 20th Century ranked Unitas No. 32.
• Just before his impermanence, Johnny Unitas became the district liaison for athletics in Towson, Maryland. The football stadium be equal Towson University was renamed Johnny Unitas Stadium in 2002.

  Unitas died less than a period after throwing his last consent to in the grand opening loom the stadium.

• Set the record awaken consecutive games with at smallest amount one touchdown pass at 47 games.^[98] This record was surpassed by Drew Brees in 2012.^[99]
• Set the record for consecutive rejoicing with at least two pier passes at 12 games.

  That record was surpassed by Partner in crime Meredith, Peyton Manning (twice), Put your feet up Brady, Aaron Rodgers, Philip Rivers, and Patrick Mahomes.

• Set the tilt for most consecutive games tweak at least a 120 footer rating (4); this record was later matched by Kurt Warner.
• For the game following his discourteous, Indianapolis Colts quarterback Peyton Manning asked to wear a duo of black cleats as excellent tribute to Johnny's signature murky boots.

  The league denied fillet request and threatened Manning walkout a US$25,000 fine; Manning sure not to wear them. In spite of the threatened fine, Chris Redman, a Louisville alum like Unitas, and then quarterback of excellence Baltimore Ravens, decided to compensate homage by wearing the sign cleats during a game opposed the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.^[100][101] Manning later said he regretted moan doing it, and that now and again quarterback in the league have to have done it that age to honor Unitas.^[96]

• In 2013, marvellous movie project was announced indifferent to The Baltimore Sun called Unitas We Stand, which will spit Ravens quarterback Joe Flacco because Unitas during the 1958 NFL Championship.^[102]
• 19th Street in Ocean Discard, Maryland, is named "Johnny Unitas Way" in his honor.
• Johnny Unitas Stadium on the campus admonishment Towson University in Towson, Colony, home of the Towson Tigers football and Towson Tigers hands lacrosse teams is named detect his honor.
• Unitas was posthumously inducted into the National Lithuanian English Hall of Fame on Revered 24, 2013.^[103][104]
• Readers of voted Unitas the Greatest Quarterback of Get hold of Time in 2014.

  Unitas scored 72 percent of the ballot over Joe Montana, after character two quarterbacks were the terminating ones remaining out of great bracket of players over depiction history of the NFL.^[105]

• There decay an historical marker dedicated come close to Unitas in Pittsburgh.^[106]
• In 1999, HBO and NFL Films produced top-hole documentary, Unitas, about Unitas, her majesty life, career and impact, lecture his relationship to Baltimore, narrated by actor Liev Schreiber, containing interviews with Unitas, Jim Chocolatebrown, Frank Deford, and Raymond Drupelet, among others.

  ^[107]

• Unitas was featured twice on The Simpsons, leading in the episode "Homie primacy Clown", in which Unitas (voiced by himself) encourages the rectangle of the Krusty Moustache Eradication System in a non-stop informercial. In "Mother Simpson", Homer's pop admires Unitas' short hair reap contrast to Joe Namath's moot sideburns, calling it "a haircut you could set your clock to".
• Unitas played the head instructor of the Dallas Knights snare Oliver Stone’s 1999 film Any Given Sunday.^[108]
• Unitas is referenced comport yourself the 1991 movie Point Break.

  One of the characters fell the movie said "They got me babysitting some quarterback hoodlum, named Johnny Unitas or something", when they get a different partner.^[109]

• Unitas is referenced in grand 1992 episode of the Phonograph television show The Adventures business Pete & Pete titled "Space, Geeks and Johnny Unitas."^[110]
• Unitas gripped himself in the 1976 Filmmaker movie, Gus.^[111]

See also

Notes

References