Johnny Unitas

The Golden Arm

By Thomas Blas and Brandon Lefore

Early Life

• Johnny Constantine Unitas was born in Pittsburg, Pennsylvania on May 7, 1933.

• His father died when he was 4. His mother, a Lithuanian immigrant, raised him while juggling 2 jobs.

• He attended a high school and played Quarterback and Halfback.

College Career

• Unitas was rejected by Indiana and Notre Dame. He also got a scholarship from Pitt, but he failed the entry exam.

• He was finally excepted by Louisville.

• During his college years he completed 245 passes for 3,139 yards and 27 touchdowns.

• He played safety and linebacker on defense, quarterback on offense, and kick/punt returner on special teams.

• Their first game they beat Wyne State, and then killed Florida State 41-14.

College Continued

• In his sophomore year Unitas completed 106 of 198 passes for 1,540 yards and twelve touchdowns

• During his junior year Louisville didn’t do too hot, but when they lost against Tennessee, 59-6, Unitas completed 9 of 19 passes for 73 yards, rushed 9 times for 52 yards, returned 6 kickoffs for eighty-five yards, 1 punt for three yards, and had 86 percent of the team's tackles. The only touchdown the team scored was in the fourth quarter when Unitas made a fake pitch to the running back and ran the ball 23 yards for a touchdown.

• His senior year was almost as bad.

Professional Career • Johnny was picked up in the 9th round of drafts in 1955 by the Pittsburg Steelers. But

since there were 3 other QB’s he was off the time.• After, he played on the Bloomfield Rams (a semi-pro team).• The next season (1956) he was picked up by the Baltimore Colts under famous head

coach Weeb Ewbank.• Unitas didn’t start until the fifth game after George Shaw broke his leg.• Unitas lost the to the Bears but rebounded with an upset against Green Bay and

beating Cleveland for the first time.• In his rookie year Unitas’s pass rating was 55.6%, best in the league as a rookie.• In 1958 Johnny led the Colts to a victory in the NFL championship. They defeated

the Giants (23-17) in the first ever sudden death overtime. This game was later

referred to as the Greatest Game Ever Played.

Professional Career Continued• The greatest game ever played is credited for sparking the popularity of professional

football.• In 1959 Johnny U was named NFL’s MVP. • That year he lead the NFL in passing yards (2,899), touchdown passes (32) and

completions (193).• Unitas then led the Colts to a repeat championship, beating the Giants again 31-16 in

the title game.• As the 50’s turned to 60’s the Colt’s fortune (and wins) began to decline.• Key players like Alan Ameche, Raymond Berry and Lenny Moore suffered from

injuries.• Even Johnny Unitas’ 47 consecutive games with a touchdown pass ended in 1960

(against the Rams).

Professional Career, Still• The season of 1964 was one of Unitas’ best.• After losing to the Vikings for the season's opener, Johnny led the Colt’s to a 10

game streak, finishing the season 12-2.• At the end of the season Johnny had 2,824 yards passing, a league-best 9.26 yards

per pass attempt, 19 touchdown passes and only 6 interceptions.• He was also named NFL’s MVP again that year.• Sadly the Colt’s lost the NFL championship to the Cleveland Browns (27-0).• In 1965 they tied for first place in the Western Conference with the Packers and a one

game playoff was played in Green Bay. The Colt’s lost in overtime (13-10).

Even More Professional Career

• In 1965 Unitas had 2,530 yards, 23 touchdowns and finished with a league-high 97.1 passer rating.

• After a knee injury for Unitas and another injury to their backup quarterback (Gary Cuozzo) running back Tom Matte played emergency quarterback causing the Colt’s to get second place in the Western Conference again.

• In 1967 Unitas received his third MVP award.• After missing most of the 1968 season due to a chronically sore elbow, Unitas was

pulled off the bench to play in Super Bowl III. • In 1970 Johnny led the Colt’s to Super Bowl V. • After setting a then record of a 75 yard touchdown pass Unitas was knocked out in

the second quarter. The Colt’s won that game.• Johnny was traded to the Chargers in 1973 and retired from football in 1974.• He finished his 17 seasons with 2,830 completions in 5,186 passes for 40,239 yards

and 290 touchdowns, with 253 interceptions. • He also rushed for 1,777 yards and 13 touchdowns.

After…• Unitas stayed in Baltimore to raise a family and found work in color-commentating for

NFL games and in broadcasting.• Outraged by the 1984 move of the Colt’s to Indianapolis that he cut all tie’s to the

team. His number (19) however is still retired by them.• He really wanted to have another team in Baltimore and he was so happy to have the

Raven’s move there in 1996.• When the NFL celebrated it’s 50th anniversary Unitas was named the league’s best

player. • Unitas lost almost all use of his right hand and his thumb and middle finger were

majorly deformed due to being repeatedly broken during his career.• Unitas died of a heart attack while at physical therapy on September 11, 2002.

Why He’s Best• He was named MVP in 1959, 1964 and 1967.

• Even to this day, no one has surpassed his record of 47 consecutive games with a touchdown pass.

• In 17 seasons, Unitas managed 2,830 completions in 5,186 passes for 40,239 yards and 290 touchdowns, with 253 interceptions.

• He rushed for 1,777 yards and13 touchdowns.

• Many fans petitioned to rename the Raven’s Stadium in his honor.

• This failed however due to naming rights in New York, however, the Towson University named its football field and the University of Louisville named a tower after him.

• He was named the league’s best player.

• He has a record of pro-bowl appearances(10).

• He played in 2 Super Bowls but we’re confident he would have played in more if they had started playing them earlier. (Super Bowl 1 was played in 1967 and Unitas started in 1956)

• A statue stands at the Raven’s stadium of Unitas and dedicated fans rub his foot upon entering the stadium.

• The Cardinals of the University of Louisville do this upon walking on to the field at their stadium.

Graph on why Johnny is BEST!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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Pro Bowl Yards perCompletion

TD% perpass

Johnny

Montana

Fouts

Johnny Unitas

The Golden Arm

Unitas We Stand

"He was better than me. Better than (Sammy) Baugh. Better than anyone.“

-Sid Lickman