Johnny Unitas

If there ever was a legend to be told it should be that of Johnny Unitas. He is a football legend that holds a couple of records that have not been beaten to this day. Johnny wasn’t always so lucky in his younger days. Johnny was born May 7, 1933 and his father died when he was only four years old. That left his mother to raise him by herself. She had to work two jobs to support them and that didn’t leave her a lot of time to help Johnny with his studies.

Unitas failed his entrance exam to Pitt University, but he caught a break when Louisville, Kentucky came through with a scholarship. Johnny played there for four years. After college, Unitas caught another lucky break in the ninth round by the Pittsburgh Steelers, but released before the season started since they had drafted one too many quarterbacks. Unitas played semipro football on the weekends for $6 a game. In 1956, the Baltimore Colts signed him. By 1957, he was the full time quarterback for the team. He had an amazing first year and won the NFL’s most valuable player. He played for the Colts almost his entire career except for his last season when he was traded to the San Diego Chargers in 1973. He retired a year later. He set the record of throwing a touchdown pass in 47 consecutive games. Even through 2008, that record has not been beat.

It is unfortunate that Johnny passed away from a heart attack on September 11, 2002 while working out. He will always be considered a football legend long after his death. A few dedicated fans had a statue of Unitas erected as the centerpiece in front of the Raven’s home stadium. The location was named “Unitas Plaza,” in honor of the legendary quarterback.