Johnny Unitas

At 69 years old, Johnny Unitas has this physical status:

John Constantine Unitas (May 7, 1933-1992), formerly known as "Johnny U" and "The Golden Arm," was an American football player in the National Football League (NFL).

He played for the Baltimore Colts for the majority of his time.

In 1959, 1964, and 1967, he was a record-setting quarterback and the NFL's Most Valuable Player. For 52 years, he held the most consecutive games with a touchdown pass (set between 1956 and 1960), until Drew Brees broke it in 2012.

Unitas was the prototype of the modern era marquee quarterback, with a strong passing record, media fanfare, and widespread acclaim.

He has consistently been ranked as one of the best NFL players of all time.

Early life

In 1933, John Constantine Unitas was born in Pittsburgh to Francis J. Unitas and Helen Superfisky, both of Lithuanian descent; he grew up in a Roman Catholic upbringing in Mount Washington. He died of cardiovascular disease complicated by pneumonia when Unitas was five years old, requiring his mother, who worked two jobs to help the family, raise the child by himself. The surname was a result of a phonetic transliteration of a common Lithuanian last name Jonaitis. Unitas played halfback and quarterback at St. Justin's High School in Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh.

Personal life

Unitas married Dorothy Hoelle, a high school sweetheart, on November 20, 1954; the couple lived in Towson and had five children before divorcing. Sandra Lemon, Unitas' second wife, married him on June 26, 1972; they had three children; and then lived in Baldwin; he died before his marriage.

Unitas Stadium, which was a major fund-raiser and where his children attended, was named in honor of both his football career and service to the university.

Unitas began bringing national attention to the numerous permanent physical ailments he and his colleagues suffered from during their careers long before heavy padding and other safety features became popular. Unitas himself lost nearly all of his right hand, with the middle finger and thumb clearly disfigured after being repeatedly broken during games.

Unitas died from a heart attack while working out at the Kernan Physical Therapy Center (now the University of Maryland Rehabilitation & Orthopaedic Institute) in Baltimore on September 11, 2002. His funeral was held at the Cathedral of Mary Our Queen in Baltimore, Maryland. After Unitas, 556,934 people registered an online petition asking the Baltimore Ravens to rename the Ravens' home stadium (owned by the state of Maryland). These attempts were ineffective because the Ravens' lucrative naming rights had already been sold to M&T Bank in Buffalo, New York. However, the Ravens dedicated the front area of the stadium's main entrance on October 20, 2002, unveiling a statue of Unitas as the center of the plaza's entrance.

Unitas is buried in Timonium, Maryland, at Dulaney Valley Memorial Gardens.

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College career

Unitas dreamed of being a member of Notre Dame Fighting Irish football team as a kid, but coach Frank Leahy said he was just too skinny and would "get killed" if he were sent on the field, but he would "get killed" if he were put on the team.

Rather, he went to the University of Louisville. Unitas has passed for 2,139 yards and 27 touchdowns in his four-year career as a Louisville Cardinal. According to reports, the 6 ft. 1 in (1.85 m) Unitas weighed 145 pounds (66 kg) on his first day of training. He made his debut in St. Bonaventure's fifth game of the 1951 season, where he threw 11 consecutive passes and three touchdowns to give the Cardinals a 21-19 lead. Louisville lost the game 22-21 on a contested field goal, but they did find a new starting quarterback. In a 35-28 victory over Houston, the Unitas completed 12 of 19 passes for 240 yards and four touchdowns. With Unitas starting, the team finished the season 5–5 overall and 4–1. He completed 46 of 99 passes for 602 yards and nine touchdowns (44).

The university decided to de-emphasize sports by the 1952 season. Dr. Philip Grant Davidson, the new president of Louisville, reduced the amount of athletic support and tightened academic requirements for athletes. As a result, 15 returning students did not meet the latest requirements and forfeited their scholarships. Unitas maintained their position by opting for a new form of elective: square dancing. Coach Frank Camp converted the team to two-way football in 1952. Unitas not only played defense or linebacker on offense, but also on special teams, such as return kicks and punts. The Cardinals won their first game against Wayne State and then Florida State in the second round. Unitas completed 16 of 21 passes for 198 yards and three touchdowns. During the Florida State game, Unitas put on such a show that he threw a pass under his legs for 15 yards. The Cardinals' season was a struggle the rest of the season, finishing 3–5. Unitas completed 106 of 198 passes for 1,540 yards and 12 touchdowns.

The team won their first game in 1953, against Murray State, and lost the rest for a record of 1–7. In a 59–6 loss to Tennessee, one of the season's most exciting games came in. The team had 9 out of 19 passes for 73 yards, rushed 9 times for 52 yards, six kickoffs for 85 yards, one punt for three yards, and had 86 percent of the team's tackles. When Unitas made a fake pitch to the running back and ran the ball 23 yards for a touchdown, the team's only touchdown was in the fourth quarter. Unitas were hurt in the fourth quarter while trying to run the ball. He was ovation on his way off the track. He was so drained when he finally got to the locker room that his jersey and shoulder pads had to be cut off because he couldn't lift his arms. Louisville lost by 20-13 to Eastern Kentucky, capping the season on a 20-13 loss. Unitas carried out 49 of 95 passes for 470 yards and three touchdowns.

Unitas was elected captain for the 1954 season, but he didn't get much playing time due to a late injury. Against Florida State, his first game of the season was his third game of the season. Of the 34-man crew, 21 were newcomers. The 1954 Cardinals defeated Morehead State 3–6, their last victory at home against Morehead State. His senior year, the Unitas were slowed by so many injuries, finishing second behind Jim Houser's 560.

Professional career

The Pittsburgh Steelers of the NFL drafted Unitas in the ninth round of the NFL for his collegiate work. However, he was not released before the season as the odd man out of four quarterbacks competing for three spots. Walt Kiesling, the Steelers' head coach, had changed his mind about Unitas; he thought he was not smart enough to head an NFL team; and he was not given any snaps in practice. Ted Marchibroda, the future NFL head coach, was one of those edging out Unitas. Unitas, a pro football player, had worked in Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, to help his family. He was a quarterback, security, and punter on a local semi-professional team called the Bloomfield Rams for $6 a game over the weekends.

After being asked at the last minute to join Bloomfield Rams lineman Jim Deglau, a Croatian steelworker with a life similar to Unitas, at the former's scheduled Colts tryout, Unitas joined the Baltimore Colts of the NFL under legendary coach Weeb Ewbank. To make the trip, the pair borrowed money from their acquaintances in order to pay for the gas. "[His] uncle told him not to come later," Deglau told a reporter after Unitas' death. [He] was concerned that if he came down and the Colts passed on him, it would look bad (to other NFL teams)." The Colts signed Unitas, much to the Browns' chagrin, who had hoped to get rid of the former Steeler quarterback.

Unitas made his NFL debut against Detroit on an inauspicious "mop-up" appearance, losing 0–2 with just one interception. The Chicago Bears' starting quarterback George Shaw suffered a broken leg two weeks earlier. Unitas' first serious action was intercepted and returned for a touchdown. Then botched a hand-off on his next play, triggering the Bears' fumble. Unitas bounced back from that humiliating defeat of 58–27, leading to the Colts' humiliation of Green Bay and their first victory over Cleveland. He had nine touchdown passes this year, including one in the season's finale that started his record-breaking streak. His 55.6 percent completion rate was a rookie record.

As he led the Colts to their first winning record in franchise history, Unitas finished first in the NFL in passing yards (2,550) and touchdown passes (24) in 1957, his first season as the Colts full-time starter at quarterback. The Jim Thorpe Trophy was awarded to Unitas as the NFL's Most Valuable Player by the Newspaper Enterprise Association at the end of the season (NEA).

Unitas continued his offensive prowess in 1958, passing for 2,007 yards and 19 touchdowns as the Colts captured the Western Conference championship. Under his leadership, the Colts won the NFL championship under their ownership on December 28, 1958, beating the New York Giants 23–17 in sudden death overtime on a touchdown by fullback Alan Ameche. It was the first overtime game in NFL history, and it is often referred to as the "most game ever played." The game, which has been nationally televised by NBC, has been blamed for the rise in professional football's fame in the 1960s.

After leading the NFL in passing yards (2,899), touchdown passes (32), and completions (193) in 1959, Unitas was named NFL MVP by the Associated Press (AP) for the first time, as well as United Press International's player of the year. He led the Colts to a repeat championship after defeating the Giants 31-16 in the championship match.

The Colts' fortunes (and win totals) diminished as the 1960s began. Alan Ameche, Raymond Berry, and Lenny Moore were among the injured players, which was a contributing factor. In week 11 of the 1960 season, Unitas' streak of 47 consecutive games with at least one touchdown pass ended against the Los Angeles Rams. Despite this, he topped the 3,000-yard passing record for the first time and led the league in touchdown passes for the fourth straight season.

Carroll Rosenbloom, the Colts' president, fired Weeb Ewbank and replaced him with Don Shula, who at the time was the youngest head coach in NFL history (33 years old when he was hired). In Shula's first season as helm, the Colts won their second season of the NFL's Western Conference, placing them on a good note. Unitas' season was a success personally, as he led the NFL in passing yards with a career-best record of 3,481 and also led in completions with 237.

The Colts returned to the top of the Western Conference in 1964. The Colts won 10 straight games in their season opener to the Minnesota Vikings, resulting in a 12–2 record. With 2,824 yards passing, a league-best 9.26 yards per pass attempt, 19 touchdown passes, and only 6 interceptions, the season was one of Unitas' finest, with 2,824 passing, a new high in interceptions. For the second time, AP and UPI named him the NFL's Most Valuable Player. However, the Colts ended the season on a sad note as they were upset by the Cleveland Browns in the 1964 NFL Championship Game, losing 27–0.

Unitas returned to form in 1965, throwing for 2,530 yards, 23 touchdowns, and finishing with a league-best 97.1 passer rating. However, he was suspended for the remainder of the season as a result of a knee injury suffered in a week 12 loss to the Bears. Gary Cuozzo suffered a season-ending injury the following week, and running back Tom Matte was inserted as the emergency quarterback for the regular season finale and in a playoff loss to the Packers. The Colts and Packers tied for first place in the Western Conference, with a one-game playoff held in Green Bay to determine who will be the conference representative in the 1965 NFL Championship Game. In overtime, the Colts lost by 13–10 due in large part to Don Chandler's game-tying field goal, which some believe was incorrectly ruled positive.

In 1966, the unitas, who were healthy once more, threw for 2,748 yards and 22 touchdowns in a return to Pro Bowl form. Nevertheless, he had a record-breaking 24 interceptions.

After finishing second in the Western Conference in 1966, the Colts resurgent to finish 11–1–2 in 1967, tying the Los Angeles Rams for the NFL's best record. Unitas earned his third MVP award from the AP and UPI in 1967 (and his second from the NEA), and passed for 3,428 yards and 20 touchdowns. In the final five games, he openly complained about tennis elbow, throwing eight interceptions and only three touchdown passes. After losing the divisional tiebreaker to the Rams in the regular season finale, the Colts lost the season in loss, who were effectively kicked out of the recently established four-team NFL playoff.

Unitas' arm muscles were torn after he was struck by a Dallas Cowboys defense in the last game of the 1968 preseason. Unitas claimed in his autobiography that he first suffered his arm from the use of the "night ball" technique, which the NFL was attempting to get more television coverage during night games. He recalled having constant pain in his elbow for many years before beginning in a game-based interview last year. He'll be spending the majority of the season on the bench. Despite backup quarterback and eventual NFL MVP Earl Morrall, the Colts also marched to a league-best 13–1 record. Despite being sick for the majority of the season, Unitas came off the bench to play in Super Bowl III, the popular game in which Joe Namath ensures the New York Jets beat the New York Jets by no matter what. Unitas' installation was a desperation move in an attempt to regain control of the NFL over the revived AFL. Although the Colts won the NFL Championship in 1968, they lost the Super Bowl to the AFL Champion New York Jets, essentially ending the first-ever NFL champions who were not even named world champions. Unitas also put together the Colts' only score, a touchdown late in the game. Following the touchdown and successful onside kick, the Colts were also pushed into scoring position, but head coach Don Shula eschewed a field goal attempt, which may have reduced the Jets' lead to 16-10. Despite not playing until late in the third quarter, he still finished the game with more passing yards than the team's starter, Earl Morrall.

Unitas returned in 1969 after an off-season of injury to his elbow, passing for 2,342 yards and 12 touchdowns with 20 interceptions. The Colts ended with a disappointing 8–5-1 record and missed the playoffs, but the Colts didn't win.

The NFL and AFL had merged into one league in 1970, and the Colts, alongside the Cleveland Browns and the Pittsburgh Steelers, carried on to the new American Football Conference. While leading the Colts to an 11-2,213 yards and 14 touchdowns, he threw for 2,213 yards and 14 touchdowns. In a 29-22 Colts victory, the Jets, Unitas, and Namath threw a total nine interceptions in their first rematch with the Jets. On the last play of the game, Namath threw 62 passes and broke his hand, snapping his season.

In AFC playoff victories over the Cincinnati Bengals and the Oakland Browners, Unitas threw for 390 yards, three touchdowns, and no interceptions. In Super Bowl V against the Dallas Cowboys, he was forced out of the game with a rib injury in the second quarter, and he was thrown out of the game shortly after throwing a 75-yard touchdown pass to John Mackey, setting a then-Super Bowl record. Nevertheless, he had already thrown two interceptions before he was banned from the game. Earl Morrall was recalled to lead the team to a last-second, 16-13 victory.

Unitas split playing time with Morrall in 1971, with only three touchdown passes. He appeared in both playoff games, defeating the Cleveland Browns who brought the Colts to the AFC Championship game against the Miami Dolphins, who lost by a score of 21–0. In the game, the Unitas threw three interceptions, one of which was returned for a touchdown by safety Dick Anderson.

The Colts were losing in 1972-1972. Unitas was involved in the second and final regular season head-to-head match with Joe Namath after losing the season opener. The first one was in 1970 (won by the Colts, 29–22). On September 24, 1972 at Memorial Stadium, the last meeting took place. In a 44–34 Jets victory, he threw for 376 yards and three touchdowns, but Namath upstaged him once more, bombing the Colts for 496 yards and six touchdowns, their first over Baltimore since the 1970 merger. The Colts fired head coach Don McCafferty and suspended the benched Unitas after losing four of their first five games.

Unitas' last game in a Colts uniform at Memorial Stadium against the Buffalo Bills was one of the most memorable moments in football history. He wasn't the starter for this game, but the Colts were blowing the Bills out by a score of 28–0 behind Marty Domres; Unitas were forced to play due to the fans' chanting, "We want Unitas!!!" "," head coach John Sandusky's idea to warn Unitas that the starting quarterback was ill. Unitas stepped out on the field and threw two passes, one of which was a long touchdown to wide receiver Eddie Hinton, which would be his last pass as a Colt. The Colts won the game by a score of 35–7.

On January 20, 1973, the Colts were traded to the San Diego Chargers in a move that at the time had future in mind as to Baltimore. The only obstacle was his personal services deal, which would have kept him employed with the Colts on a yearly salary of $30,000 over ten years after his time as an active player ended. Carroll Rosenbloom, the team's owner who later purchased the Los Angeles Rams in a franchise transfer with Robert Irsay, had been signed when the ballclub was sold. The transaction was completed when the Chargers bought it. On June 8, 1973, eager to break all links with the Colts, Unitas signed a new two-year contract with the Chargers. He succeeded John Hadl, who had requested and was given a trade to the Rams.

Unitas began the season with a 38–0 loss to the Washington Redskins. He only passed for 55 yards and 3 interceptions, and was sacked 8 times. In week two, his last victory as a starter came against the Buffalo Bills. In a 34–7 Chargers victory, Unitas was 10-18 for 175 yards, two touchdown runs, and no interceptions. Following a loss to the Bengals in week three, several players are questioning his role as a starter. He threw two first-half interceptions, went for only 19 yards, and went 2-for-9 against the Pittsburgh Steelers two weeks later. Dan Fouts, a rookie quarterback, was then drafted into the Hall of Fame. Unitas retired in 1974 after posting a 1–3 record as a starter.

Unitas played for 2,830 yards and 290 touchdowns in 5,186 attempts for 40,239 yards and 290 touchdowns in his 18 NFL seasons, with 253 interceptions. He also ran for 1,777 yards and 13 touchdowns. In 1968-1973, he was plagued by arm pain in his later years, throwing more interceptions (64) than touchdowns (38) than ever (38) in his career. In his first 12 seasons, he averaged 215.8 yards per game in his first 12 seasons, but his output dropped to 124.4 in his final six. His passer ratings dropped from 82.9 to 60.4 over the same time. Nonetheless, Unitas set some notable records during his time as well. Despite playing in an era of shorter NFL seasons of 12 or 14 games (as opposed to today's 17-game seasons) and prior to modernizing-friendly legislation introduced in 1978, he was the first quarterback to throw for more than 40,000 yards. His 32 touchdown passes in 1959 were a record at the time, making Unitas the first quarterback to reach the 30 touchdown mark in a season. His 47-game streak between 1956 and 1960 was considered unbreakable by some. Drew Brees, a quarterback for the New Orleans Saints, snapped the streak for 52 years before being stifled by the San Diego Chargers in a game against the San Diego Chargers on October 7, 2012.

After his playing days were over, Unitas settled in Baltimore, where he raised his family while still pursuing a career in broadcasting, doing color commentary for NFL games on CBS in the 1970s. In 1979, he was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Following Robert Irsay's move from Indianapolis to Baltimore in 1984, he was so outraged that he dissolved all ties to the franchise (though his No. remained unchanged). The Colts have ruled 19 jersey as a Baltimore Colt for the remainder of his life, so he remains strictly a Baltimore Colt for the remainder of his life. Several other leading old-time Colts followed his example, though many attended the 1975 team's reunion at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis in 2009. Bert Jones and Lydell Mitchell, two former Colts players from 1975, are among the many former players from the Indianapolis reunion. On several occasions (including on Roy Firestone's Up Close) the Pro Football Hall of Fame asked him to delete his display unless it was identified as belonging to the Baltimore Colts. The Hall of Fame has never met the request. Unitas donated his Colts memorabilia to the Babe Ruth Museum in Baltimore; they are now on view in the Sports Legends Museum in Camden Yards.

In 1987, Unitas was inducted into the American Football Association's Semi Pro Football Hall of Fame.

Unitas have been lobbying for the arrival of another NFL team to Baltimore. On Opening Day at Memorial Stadium, the Cleveland Browns and some of the other old-time Colts attended the Cleveland Browns' first game against the Browns in 1996. He was often seen on the Ravens' sidelines at home games (most prominently in 1998 when the now-Indianapolis Colts played the Ravens in Baltimore) and received a roaring applause every time he was pictured on each of M&T Bank Stadium's huge widescreens. On the Ravens' side, he was often seen on the 30-yard line. Unitas was voted the best player in the league for the first 50 years by the league's best player. "He was better than me, better than Sammy Baugh, better than anyone," Bears quarterback Sid Luckman said of Unitas.

Unitas' life was stifled for the majority of his life's remaining years. He had only limited use of his right hand during his playing career, and was unable to do any strenuous than golf due to his artificial knees.

NFL career statistics

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