Johnny Unitas was one of the best National Football League quarterbacks of all time. Never given any credit for his talents or skills, Johnny never stopped trying to make people see just how good he was.
He was drafted out of college by the Pittsburgh Steelers who wasted little time in cutting him. Later, Johnny was picked up by the Baltimore Colts where he built his legacy as one of the greatest quarterbacks of all time. In his time with the Colts, Unitas was the starting quarterback during the only NFL championships for the Baltimore Colts. The Colts won the NFL championship in 1958 and 1959 and the Super Bowl in 1970. Unitas was a three-time MVP award winner in 1956, 1964, and 1967, and played in 10 pro bowls, a record that stood until Brett Favre tied it in 2008. Unitas also set another NFL record that still stands to this day and is considered to be one of the most unbreakable records in sports: he threw a touchdown pass in 47 consecutive games. Back in those days, teams only played 12 or 14 games a season. That means that Unitas threw a touchdown in every game for over three years.
It is always difficult to compare athletes from different eras, but there is no question Unitas and his golden arm could have played in any generation of football. Still today, Johnny Unitas is always in the discussion for who was the greatest quarterback of all time.
Adam Vinatieri was born on December 28th, 1972 in the small town of Yankton, South Dakota to Paul and Judy Vinatieri. Vinatieri attended Central High School where he was a multisport athlete, lettering in soccer, football, track and wrestling. After high school, Vinatieri went on to attend West Point, but only lasted 2 weeks and he returned home to attend South Dakota State University. While attending college, Vinatieri was the football team’s primary placekicker and punter.
Vinatieri was not drafted into the National Football League after he graduated, but soon signed as a free agent with the New England Patriots in 1996. Vinatieri spent the majority of his professional career playing for the Patriots until he was picked up by the Indianapolis Colts after the 2005 season.
Over his long career, Vinatieri has been selected to the Pro Bowl 2 times, in 2002 and 2004. Vinatieri has played in 4 Super Bowls and he has made 331 field goals out of 403 attempts. Vinatieri has had many game winning field goals and is thought of as one of the best in the league. Vinatieri currently is a part of the Indianapolis Colts after the Patriots failed to put the franchise tag on him, making him a free agent. Vinatieri was happy to be sent to the Colts and he made it to a Super Bowl with them in 2007.
Vinatieri currently resides in Carmel, Indiana during the season and on the off season he lives in Florida. Vinatieri is married to wife Valeri and the couple has 2 children, A.J and Allison.
