- Born
- Died
- Birth nameJohn Constantine Unitas
- Nickname
- Johnny U
- Height6′ 1″ (1.85 m)
- Johnny Unitas played his collegiate career at the University of Louisville (1951-54), passing for 3,007 yards and 27 touchdowns. Unitas, who wore No. 19 as a professional, had his No. 16 collegiate uniform retired at Louisville, the only number retired by the Cardinals.
Known as "The Golden Arm", Unitas had anything but a golden introduction to the NFL. A late round draft pick of the Pittsburg Steelers, he was cut in his rookie year. He signed with the Baltimore Colts a year later and began to change the future of pro football. Unitas quarterbacked the Colts in the NFL title in 1958, beating the New York Giants in the league's first overtime championship, known forever more as the greatest game ever played.
Unitas' legend grew through the 60s and 70s. His record for throwing a touchdown in 47 consecutive games continues to stand. He became the first NFL quarterback to pass for more than 40,000 yards. In January 1971, Unitas won his last championship, leading the Colts against the Cowboys in Super Bowl V.
The persona of "Johnny U" exceeds even his numbers. His bow-legged gait and crew cut became his trademarks. His flair for leading the Colts to come from behind wins became his signature. He was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1979.
In Baltimore, Unitas will be remembered as much for his personal touch as for his professional greatness. Ever willing to stop for an autograph or to give of his time, Unitas helped christen Towson University's new stadium last week - with a pass.
No one could have known that would have been the last pass from his golden arm. Baltimore Mayor Martin O'Malley said, "This is a particularly painful day for Baltimore, because Johnny Unitas was Baltimore -- guts and grit." He played in 10 Pro Bowls, was named MVP three times, and was named the NFL's all-time greatest quarterback at the league's 50th anniversary. He retired in 1973 after one year with the San Diego Chargers. At that time, he held nearly every passing mark in the league record book.- IMDb Mini Biography By: GR - Johnny Unitas is an American professional football player in the National Football League (NFL). He spent the majority of his career playing for the Baltimore Colts. He was a record-setting quarterback, and the NFL's most valuable player in 1959, 1964, and 1967.
For 52 years, Unitas held the record for most consecutive games with a touchdown pass (set between 1956 and 1960), until it was broken in 2012 by Drew Brees. Unitas was the prototype of the modern era marquee quarterback, with a strong passing game, media fanfare, and widespread popularity. He has been consistently listed as one of the greatest NFL players of all time.- IMDb Mini Biography By: Bazza the Beast
- SpousesSandra Lemon(June 26, 1972 - September 11, 2002) (his death, 3 children)Dorothy Jean Hoelle(November 20, 1954 - June 26, 1972) (divorced, 5 children)
- Crewcut hair. High-top black shoes
- Indianapolis Colts QB Peyton Manning had four pairs of high-top black shoes made, which he planned to wear in the Colts 15 September 2002 game as a tribute to Unitas. But the NFL threatened to slap Manning with a $25,000 fine if he wore the shoes. Further, it declared that only the Baltimore Ravens would have the sole right to honor Unitas with a patch or armband on their uniforms that Sunday.
- Is of Lithuanian descent.
- Was originally drafted by the Pittsburgh Steelers in 1955 and released before the 1956 season, by the Steelers, who had decided to go with a roster which included three quarterbacks instead of four. One of the three quarterbacks who stayed (and beat Unitas out of a job) was Ted Marchibroda, who was appointed head coach of the Baltimore Colts beginning in the 1975 season. Unitas hitchhiked home from Steelers training camp even though the Steelers had given him bus fare. He was soon signed by the Baltimore Colts, in time to join the team for the 1956 season. Unitas and Marchibroda later became friends.
- Married second wife, Sandy Lemon, 1 hour after divorcing his wife of 18 years, Dorothy.
- First drafted by the Pittsburgh Steelers in 1955, but never played in a Steelers regular season game before being released by the Steelers. Unitas was picked up as a free agent by Baltimore before the 1956 NFL regular season, and played quarterback for the National Football League's Baltimore Colts (1956-1972) and then one season for the San Diego Chargers (1973).
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