View source for Johnny Unitas

{{Short description|American football player (1933–2002)}}
{{Use American English|date=December 2024}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=December 2024}}
{{Infobox gridiron football biography
| name = Johnny Unitas
| image = Unitas-Johnny-1963.jpg
| image_size =
| alt = 
| caption = Unitas with the [[Baltimore Colts]] in 1963
| number = 19
| position = [[Quarterback]]
| birth_date = {{birth date|1933|5|7|mf=y}}
| birth_place = [[Pittsburgh|Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania]], U.S.
| death_date = {{death date and age|2002|9|11|1933|5|7}}
| death_place = [[Baltimore|Baltimore, Maryland]], U.S.
| height_ft = 6
| height_in = 1
| weight_lb = 194
| high_school = [[St. Justin's High School|St. Justin's]] (Pittsburgh)
| college = [[Louisville Cardinals football|Louisville]] (1951–1954)
| draftyear = 1955
| draftround = 9
| draftpick = 102
| pastteams =
* [[Pittsburgh Steelers]] ({{NFL Year|1955}})*
* [[Baltimore Colts]] ({{NFL Year|1956|1972}})
* [[San Diego Chargers]] ({{NFL Year|1973}})
| highlights =
* [[List of Super Bowl champions|Super Bowl champion]] ([[Super Bowl V|V]])
* 3× [[List of NFL champions (1920–1969)|NFL champion]] ([[1958 NFL Championship Game|1958]], [[1959 NFL Championship Game|1959]], [[1968 NFL Championship Game|1968]])
* 3× [[NFL Most Valuable Player]] (1959, 1964, 1967)
* [[Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year|NFL Man of the Year]] (1970)
* 5× First-team [[All-Pro]] ([[1958 All-Pro Team|1958]], [[1959 All-Pro Team|1959]], [[1964 All-Pro Team|1964]], [[1965 All-Pro Team|1965]], [[1967 All-Pro Team|1967]])
* 3× Second-team All-Pro ([[1957 All-Pro Team|1957]], [[1960 All-Pro Team|1960]], [[1963 All-Pro Team|1963]])
* 10× [[Pro Bowl]] ([[1958 Pro Bowl|1957]]–[[1965 Pro Bowl|1964]], [[1967 Pro Bowl|1966]], [[1968 Pro Bowl|1967]])
* 4× [[List of National Football League annual passing yards leaders|NFL passing yards leader]] (1957, 1959, 1960, 1963)
* 4× [[List of National Football League annual passing touchdowns leaders|NFL passing touchdowns leader]] (1957–1960)
* 2× [[List of National Football League annual passer rating leaders|NFL passer rating leader]] (1958, 1965)
* [[List of National Football League annual pass completion percentage leaders|NFL completion percentage leader]] (1967)
* [[NFL 1960s All-Decade Team]]
* [[NFL 50th Anniversary All-Time Team]]
* [[NFL 75th Anniversary All-Time Team]]
* [[NFL 100th Anniversary All-Time Team]]
* 3× [[Bert Bell Award]] (1959, 1964, 1967)
* [[Indianapolis Colts#Retired numbers|Indianapolis Colts No. 19]] retired
* [[Louisville Cardinals football#Retired numbers|Louisville Cardinals No. 16]] retired
| statlabel1 = Passing attempts
| statvalue1 = 5,186
| statlabel2 = Passing completions
| statvalue2 = 2,830
| statlabel3 = Completion percentage
| statvalue3 = 54.6%
| statlabel4 = [[Touchdown|TD]]–[[Interception|INT]]
| statvalue4 = 290–253
| statlabel5 = Passing yards
| statvalue5 = 40,239
| statlabel6 = [[Passer rating]]
| statvalue6 = 78.2
| statlabel7 = Rushing yards
| statvalue7 = 1,777
| statlabel8 = Rushing touchdowns
| statvalue8 = 13
| pfr = UnitJo00
| HOF = johnny-unitas 
}}
'''John Constantine Unitas''' ({{IPAc-en|j|uː|ˈ|n|aɪ|t|ə|s}};{{efn|{{langx|lt|Jonas Konstantinas Jonaitis}}<ref>{{cite web |title=Bio |url=http://www.johnnyunitas.com/about-unitas/bio |website=johnnyunitas.com |access-date=April 7, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190623010523/http://www.johnnyunitas.com/about-unitas/bio |archive-date=June 23, 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Johnny Unitas|url=http://www.lithhof.org/index.php/item/29-johnny-unitas|website=lithhof.org|access-date=November 28, 2016|archive-date=November 29, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161129030037/http://www.lithhof.org/index.php/item/29-johnny-unitas|url-status=live}}</ref>}} May 7, 1933 – September 11, 2002) was an American professional [[American football|football]] [[quarterback]] who played in the [[National Football League]] (NFL) for 18 seasons, primarily with the [[Baltimore Colts]]. Nicknamed "'''Johnny U.'''" and "'''the Golden Arm'''", Unitas was considered the prototype of the modern era marquee quarterback and is regarded as one of the greatest NFL players of all time.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Clayton |first=John |author-link=John Clayton (sportswriter) |date=January 19, 2010 |title=Playoffs raise historical stakes |url=https://www.espn.com/nfl/playoffs/2009/columns/story?columnist=clayton_john&id=4838773 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151125002109/http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/playoffs/2009/columns/story?columnist=clayton_john&id=4838773 |archive-date=November 25, 2015 |access-date=May 24, 2024 |website=ESPN.com}}</ref>

During his professional career from 1956 to 1973, Unitas set many NFL records and was named [[Associated Press NFL Most Valuable Player|Most Valuable Player]] three times in 1959, 1964, and 1967, in addition to receiving 10 [[Pro Bowl]] and five first-team [[All-Pro]] honors. He helped lead the Colts to four championship titles; three in the pre-[[AFL–NFL merger|merger]] era in [[1958 NFL Championship Game|1958]], [[1959 NFL Championship Game|1959]], and [[1968 NFL Championship Game|1968]], and one in the [[Super Bowl]] era in [[Super Bowl V]]. His first championship victory is regarded as one of the league's greatest games and is credited with helping popularize the NFL. Between 1956 and 1960, he set the record for [[list of most consecutive games with touchdown passes in the National Football League|most consecutive games with a touchdown pass]] at 47, which held for 52 years.

Unitas is one of only six players to be named to the [[NFL 50th Anniversary All-Time Team|NFL's 50th]], [[NFL 75th Anniversary All-Time Team|75th]] and [[NFL 100th Anniversary All-Time Team|100th]] Anniversary All-Time Teams. He led the league in fourth quarter comebacks in six seasons, more than any other quarterback, and is praised for his development of the [[hurry-up offense]].<ref name=":17">{{Cite magazine |last=Nack |first=William |date=May 7, 2001 |title=The Wrecking Yard |url=https://vault.si.com/vault/2001/05/07/the-wrecking-yard-as-they-limp-into-the-sunset-retired-nfl-players-struggle-with-the-games-grim-legacy-a-lifetime-of-disability-and-pain |magazine=Sports Illustrated}}</ref> Unitas was inducted to the [[Pro Football Hall of Fame]] in 1979.

==Early life==
John Constantine Unitas was born during the [[Great Depression in the United States|Great Depression]] on May 7, 1933, in [[Pittsburgh]] to Francis J. Unitas and Helen Superfisky, the third of four children. Both parents were of Lithuanian descent; his surname was a result of a [[phonetic]] [[transliteration]] of a common Lithuanian last name ''Jonaitis''. The elder Unitas ran a modest coal delivery business. Unitas grew up in the [[Mount Washington (Pittsburgh)|Mount Washington]] neighborhood with a [[Catholic Church|Catholic]] upbringing.<ref>{{cite book|url=https://archive.org/details/bestgameevergian00bowd|url-access=registration|page=[https://archive.org/details/bestgameevergian00bowd/page/46 46]|title=The Best Game Ever|author=Mark Bowden|year=2008|publisher=Atlantic Monthly Press|isbn=978-0-87113-988-7}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|last=DeMarco|first=Donald|date=October 20, 2002|title=Faith Made Johnny Unitas the Best There Ever Was|url=https://www.ncregister.com/news/faith-made-johnny-unitas-the-best-there-ever-was|access-date=August 5, 2021|publisher=National Catholic Register|archive-date=August 5, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210805185212/https://www.ncregister.com/news/faith-made-johnny-unitas-the-best-there-ever-was|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name=":8">{{Cite book |last=Sahadi |first=Lou |title=Johnny Unitas America's Quarterback |publisher=Triumph Books |year=2004 |isbn=1-57243-610-7 |pages=27–33}}</ref>

When Unitas was five years old, his father died of cardiovascular renal disease complicated by [[pneumonia]],<ref>{{Cite web |title=Johnny Unitas Dead At 69 |url=https://gocards.com/news/2002/9/11/Johnny_Unitas_Dead_At_69?path=football |access-date=2025-03-03 |website=University of Louisville Athletic |language=en}}</ref> leaving the young boy and his siblings to be raised by their mother. When some relatives wanted to split up her children to different homes she refused, determined to keep the family together. She continued the coal delivery business, and worked as an office cleaner four nights a week, from 10 pm to 6 am.<ref>{{cite web |title=Hall of Fame QB Unitas dead at 69 |url=http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/football/news/2002/09/11/unitas_obit_ap/ |website=sportsillustrated.cnn.com |access-date=January 5, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20021002075241/http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/football/news/2002/09/11/unitas_obit_ap/ |archive-date=October 2, 2002 |date=September 11, 2002}}</ref><ref name=":8" />

At St. Justin's High School in Pittsburgh, Unitas played [[halfback (American football)|halfback]] and quarterback, becoming the best quarterback in the Catholic "B" League, under coach Max Carey. Hundreds of fans would come to his games to watch Unitas throw his "jump pass", which could be as far as 60 yards in the air. In his senior year, Unitas was named quarterback on Pittsburgh's All-Catholic High School Team.<ref name=":1">{{Cite news |last=Eisenberg |first=John |date=October 20, 2002 |title=Youngster's drive couldn't be sacked |url=https://www.baltimoresun.com/2002/10/20/youngsters-drive-couldnt-be-sacked/ |work=Baltimore Sun}}</ref><ref name=":8" />

==College career==
In his younger years, Unitas dreamed about being part of the [[Notre Dame Fighting Irish football]] team, but when he tried out for the team, coach [[Frank Leahy]] said that he was just too skinny and he would "get murdered" if he was put on the field. Other sources say Leahy was not present at Unitas's workout for Notre Dame, and assistant coach [[Bernie Crimmins]] passed on Unitas, because he thought the team's fans could not accept a 135-pound quarterback. A later scholarship offer at the [[Pittsburgh Panthers football|University of Pittsburgh]] was withdrawn.<ref name=":1" /><ref name=":8" /> In 1952, Crimmins became [[Indiana Hoosiers football|Indiana University]]'s head coach and attempted to recruit Unitas away from a collapsing Louisville program, but Unitas was loyal and stayed at Louisville.<ref name=":9">{{Cite book |last=Callahan |first=Tom |title=Johnny U, The Life & Times of John Unitas |publisher=Crown |year=2006 |isbn=978-1-4000-8139-4 |pages=34–35}}</ref><ref name=":4" />

Instead, Unitas attended the [[University of Louisville]], under coach [[Frank Camp]], after being recruited by young assistant coach Frank Gitschier. Gitschier would later teach Unitas the basics of quarterback play,<ref name=":1" /> give the introduction speech at Unitas's Hall of Fame induction in 1979, and in 2002 give a eulogy at Unitas's funeral.<ref name=":18">{{Cite news |last=Morgan |first=Jon |date=September 18, 2002 |title=We won't see another Johnny Unitas |url=https://www.baltimoresun.com/2002/09/18/we-wont-see-another-johnny-unitas/ |work=Baltimore Sun}}</ref> In his four-year career as a [[Louisville Cardinals football|Louisville Cardinal]], Unitas completed 245 passes for 3,139 yards and 27 touchdowns. Reportedly, the {{height|ft=6|in=1}} Unitas weighed {{convert|145|lb|kg}} on his first day of practice. His first start was in the fifth game of the 1951 season against [[St. Bonaventure Brown Indians football|St. Bonaventure]] (quarterbacked by future NFL player and coach [[Ted Marchibroda]]),<ref name=":4">{{Cite book |last=Sahadi |first=Lou |title=Johnny Unitas America's Quarterback |publisher=Triumph Books |year=2004 |isbn=1-57243-610-7 |pages=36–37}}</ref> where Unitas completed 11 consecutive passes and three touchdowns to give the Cardinals a 21–19 lead. Louisville ended up losing the game 22–21 on a disputed field goal,<ref>{{cite news|first1=Mike|last1=Abdo|first2=Bob|last2=Davies|title=Unitas 'Started' Career at St. Bona|newspaper=[[Olean Times Herald]]|date=November 7, 1959}}</ref><ref name=":1" /> but found a new starting quarterback. Unitas also played safety on defense. Unitas completed 12 of 19 passes for 240 yards and four touchdowns in a 35–28 victory over [[Houston Cougars football|Houston]] (a 19-point favorite), including a 92-yard touchdown pass.<ref name=":1" /> The team finished the season 5–4 overall and 4–1 with Unitas starting.<ref name=":1" /><ref name=":0" /> He completed 46 of 99 passes for 602 yards and nine touchdowns (44).

In 1952, the team's motto was, "Unitas We Stand, Divided We Fall".<ref name=":4" /> However, the university had decided to de-emphasize sports. The new president at Louisville, Dr. Philip Grant Davidson, reduced the amount of athletic aid and tightened academic standards for athletes. As a result, 15 players scholarships were terminated.<ref name=":1" /><ref name=":4" /> Unitas maintained his by taking on a new elective: square dancing.{{citation needed|date=November 2024}} In 1952, coach Frank Camp switched the team to [[two-way football]]. Unitas not only played [[Safety (American football position)|safety]] or linebacker on defense and quarterback on offense, but also returned kicks and punts on special teams. The Cardinals won their first game against [[Wayne State Warriors football|Wayne State]], and then [[Florida State Seminoles football|Florida State]] in the second game. Unitas completed 16 of 21 passes for 198 yards and three touchdowns. In the next game against Florida State, Louisville won 41–14. While under the Seminole rush, Unitas, a right-hander, threw a left-handed pass between his legs for 15 yards, as reported by future Florida State quarterback [[Lee Corso]] who had seen film of the play and marveled at Unitas' quickness.<ref name=":9" /> The rest of the season was a struggle for the Cardinals, who finished 3–5. Unitas completed 106 of 198 passes for 1,540 yards and 12 touchdowns.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.guide.provations.com/louisvillefootball/2011mg#pg173 |title=Louisville Football 2011 Media Guide |publisher=Guide.provations.com |date=July 1, 2011 |access-date=October 11, 2012 |archive-date=November 13, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121113180553/http://www.guide.provations.com/louisvillefootball/2011mg#pg173 |url-status=dead}}</ref>

The team won their first game in 1953, against [[Murray State Racers football|Murray State]], and lost the rest for a record of 1–7. One of the most memorable games of the season came in a 59–6 loss against [[Tennessee Volunteers football|Tennessee]], which was played in [[Knoxville, Tennessee]]. Unitas completed 9 out of 19 passes for 73 yards, rushed 9 times for 52 yards, returned six kickoffs for 85 yards, fielded one 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 also kicked off and punted that day. When one of his teammates was injured in the third quarter, Unitas lifted him up and carried the injured man off the field.<ref name=":0">{{Cite book |last=Callahan |first=Tom |title=Johnny U, The Life & Times of John Unitas |publisher=Crown |year=2006 |isbn=978-1-4000-8139-4 |pages=38–41}}</ref>

Unitas himself was hurt later in the fourth quarter while trying to run the ball, and was helped off the field. As described by Bob Wilson of the ''[[Knoxville News Sentinel|Knoxville News-Sentinel]]'', "'Battered and bruised, Unitas was helped off the field later in the final period as the [Tennessee] spectators saluted his gifted and courageous play with an ovation that resounded across Loudon Lake." When he got to the locker room he was so tired that his jersey and shoulder pads had to be cut off because he could not lift his arms.<ref name=":0" /> Louisville ended the season with a 20–13 loss to [[Eastern Kentucky Colonels football|Eastern Kentucky]]. Unitas completed 49 of 95 passes for 470 yards and three touchdowns.

Unitas was elected captain for the 1954 season, but due to an early injury did not see much playing time. His first start was the third game of the season, against Florida State. Of the 34-man team, 21 were freshmen. The 1954 Cardinals went 3–6, with their last win at home against [[Morehead State Eagles football|Morehead State]]. Unitas was slowed by so many injuries his senior year his 527 passing yards ended second to Jim Houser's 560.

During his time at Louisville, Unitas was 247 for 502 passing, for 2,912 yards and 27 touchdowns.<ref name=":14">{{Cite web |date=May 7, 2020 |title=Reflecting on Johnny Unitas' Louisville career |url=https://www.si.com/college/louisville/football/reflecting-on-unitas-career |access-date=November 7, 2024 |website=Louisville Cardinals On SI |archive-date=May 24, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200524091427/https://www.si.com/college/louisville/football/reflecting-on-unitas-career |url-status=live }}</ref>

==Professional career==

===Pittsburgh Steelers===
After his collegiate career, the [[Pittsburgh Steelers]] of the NFL drafted Unitas in the ninth round. However, he was released before the season began as the odd man out among four quarterbacks trying to fill three spots. Steelers' head coach [[Walt Kiesling]] had made up his mind about Unitas; he thought he was not smart enough to quarterback an NFL team,<ref>Dan Rooney: My 75 years with the Pittsburgh Steelers and the NFL, {{ISBN|0-306-81569-9}}; p. 62.</ref> and he was not given any snaps in practice with the Steelers. Among those edging out Unitas was [[Ted Marchibroda]], whom Unitas lost to in his first college game years earlier, future longtime NFL head coach. Out of pro football, Unitas—by this time married—worked in construction in Pittsburgh to support his family.<ref>MacCambridge, 2005 pg. 124</ref> On the weekends, he played quarterback, safety and punter on a local [[semi-professional]] team called the [[Bloomfield (Pittsburgh)|Bloomfield]] Rams for $6 a game.<ref>Cavanaugh, 2008 pg. 166</ref>

===Baltimore Colts===
In 1956, Unitas joined the [[History of the Baltimore Colts|Baltimore Colts]] of the NFL under legendary coach [[Weeb Ewbank]], after being asked at the last minute to join Bloomfield Rams lineman Jim Deglau, a Croatian steelworker with a life much like Unitas, at the latter's scheduled Colts tryout. The pair borrowed money from friends to pay for the gas to make the trip. Deglau later told a reporter after Unitas's death, "[His] uncle told him not to come. [He] was worried that if he came down and the Colts passed on him, it would look bad (to other NFL teams)."<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.dailypress.com/news/bal-sp.unitas20oct20,0,3496272.story?page=7&coll=dp-breaking-news|title=Youngster's drive couldn't be sacked|publisher=dailypress.com|date=October 20, 2002|access-date=August 5, 2009|archive-date=February 23, 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100223224230/http://www.dailypress.com/news/bal-sp.unitas20oct20,0,3496272.story?page=7&coll=dp-breaking-news|url-status=dead}}</ref> The Colts signed Unitas, much to the chagrin of the [[Cleveland Browns]], who had hoped to claim the former Steeler quarterback.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.pittsburgpost-gazette.com/sports/columnists/20020917webfinder0917p1.asp|title=Unitas set the QB gold standard|publisher=Pittsburgpost-gazette.com|date=September 17, 2002|access-date=August 5, 2009|archive-date=December 21, 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081221015426/http://www.pittsburgpost-gazette.com/sports/columnists/20020917webfinder0917p1.asp|url-status=dead}}</ref>

Unitas made his NFL debut with an inauspicious "mop-up" appearance against Detroit, going 0–2 with one interception.<ref>{{Cite web |date=October 21, 2006 |title=Unitas' first pass wasn't a Bears' TD |url=http://www.baltimoresun.com/sports/bal-sp.unitas21oct21,0,16118.story |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131105015833/http://www.baltimoresun.com/sports/bal-sp.unitas21oct21,0,16118.story |archive-date=November 5, 2013 |access-date=March 18, 2013 |website=Baltimore Sun}}</ref> Two weeks later, starting quarterback [[George Shaw (American football)|George Shaw]] suffered a broken leg against the [[Chicago Bears]]. In his first serious action, Unitas's initial pass was intercepted and returned for a touchdown. Then he botched a hand-off on his next play, resulting in a fumble recovered by the Bears. Unitas rebounded quickly from that 58–27 loss, leading the Colts to an upset of [[Green Bay Packers|Green Bay]] and their first win over Cleveland. He threw nine touchdown passes that year, including one in the season finale that started his record 47-game streak. His 55.6-percent completion mark was a rookie record.

In 1957, his first season as the Colts full-time starter at quarterback, Unitas finished first in the NFL in passing yards (2,550) and touchdown passes (24) as he helped lead the Colts to a 7–5 record, the first winning record in franchise history. At season's end, Unitas received the [[Jim Thorpe Trophy]] as the [[NFL MVP|NFL's Most Valuable Player]] by the [[Newspaper Enterprise Association]] (NEA).

====1958: "The Greatest Game Ever Played"====
Unitas continued his prowess in 1958 passing for 2,007 yards and 19 touchdowns as the Colts won the Western Conference title. The Colts won the [[NFL championship]] under his leadership on December 28, 1958, by defeating the [[New York Giants]] 23–17 in [[sudden death (sport)|sudden death]] overtime on a touchdown by fullback [[Alan Ameche]]. It was the first overtime game in NFL history, and is often referred to as the "[[1958 NFL Championship Game|greatest game ever played]]". The game, nationally televised by [[NBC]], has been credited for sparking the rise in popularity of professional football during the 1960s.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Gregory|first1=Sean|title=The Football Game that Changed It All|url=https://content.time.com/time/specials/packages/article/0,28804,1868793_1868792_1868802,00.html|access-date=January 18, 2017|magazine=Time|date=December 29, 2008|archive-date=September 27, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210927135412/http://content.time.com/time/specials/packages/article/0,28804,1868793_1868792_1868802,00.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

====1959 MVP season====
In 1959, Unitas was named the NFL's MVP by the [[Associated Press]] (AP) for the first time,{{efn|Contemporary sources and [[Pro-Football-Reference.com]] recognize Unitas as the 1959 AP MVP,<ref>{{cite news|title=Unitas Named Player Of Year In Pro Football|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1817&dat=19591223&id=Fh8fAAAAIBAJ&pg=6203,3662328|access-date=January 9, 2017|work=The Tuscaloosa News|agency=Associated Press|date=December 24, 1959|page=10|archive-date=July 15, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210715031303/https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1817&dat=19591223&id=Fh8fAAAAIBAJ&pg=6203,3662328|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=AP NFL Most Valuable Player Winners|url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/awards/ap-nfl-mvp-award.htm|website=Pro-Football-Reference.com|publisher=Sports Reference|access-date=June 20, 2016|archive-date=June 10, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160610022530/http://www.pro-football-reference.com/awards/ap-nfl-mvp-award.htm|url-status=live}}</ref> while others, including the ''2015 Official NFL Record and Fact Book'', list [[Charlie Conerly]] as winning the award.<ref>{{cite book|title=2015 Official NFL Record and Fact Book|date=2015|publisher=National Football League|page=524|url=https://nflcommunications.com/Documents/2015%20NFL%20Record%20and%20Fact%20Book.pdf|access-date=August 1, 2016|editor1-last=Lee|editor1-first=Brenden|editor2-last=Gellerman|editor2-first=Jacob|editor3-last=King|editor3-first=Robert|archive-date=October 1, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151001192546/http://www.nfl.com/static/content/public/photo/2015/07/21/0ap3000000502939.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=National Football League MVPs By The Associated Press|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1891&dat=19910108&id=5akfAAAAIBAJ&pg=2653,730199|access-date=January 9, 2017|work=Gadsden Times|agency=Associated Press|date=January 8, 1991|page=B2|archive-date=March 26, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230326091501/https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1891&dat=19910108&id=5akfAAAAIBAJ&pg=2653,730199|url-status=live}}</ref>}} as well as [[United Press International]]'s player of the year, after leading the NFL in passing yards (2,899), touchdown passes (32), and completions (193). He then led the Colts to a repeat championship, sparking a fourth quarter comeback to beat the Giants again 31–16 in the title game.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Sell|first1=Jack|title=Colts Destroy Giants for Pro Crown, 31–16|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=A39IAAAAIBAJ&pg=7340%2C4704915|access-date=January 17, 2017|work=Pittsburgh Post-Gazette|date=December 28, 1959|page=20|archive-date=April 15, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230415121250/https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=A39IAAAAIBAJ&pg=7340,4704915|url-status=live}}</ref>

With the Colts fresh off back-to-back championships, Unitas was lauded by rookie head coach of the [[Green Bay Packers]], [[Vince Lombardi]], who said of the 26-year-old signal caller: "Without him, they're just ordinary. With him, they're great. He's the best quarterback I've ever seen."<ref>Murray Olderman, "Johnny Unitas Makes the Colts Click," ''Pro All Stars 1960 Pro Football.'' New York: Maco Magazine Corporation, 1960; p. 9.</ref>

====Beginning of the 1960s====
As the 1960s began, the Colts' fortunes (and win totals) declined. Injuries to key players such as [[Alan Ameche]], [[Raymond Berry]], and [[Lenny Moore]] were a contributing factor.<ref name="sportsecyclopedia.com">{{Cite news|url=https://sportsecyclopedia.com/nfl/balticolts/baltcolts.html|title=Baltimore Colts – Sports Ecyclopedia|newspaper=Sports Ecyclopedia|access-date=February 24, 2021|archive-date=May 24, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240524040455/https://www.sportingpost.com/team-history/nfl/baltimore-colts/|url-status=live}}</ref> Unitas's streak of 47 straight games with at least one touchdown pass ended against the [[Los Angeles Rams]] in week 11 of the 1960 season.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.profootballresearchers.org/Coffin_Corner/20-03-754.pdf|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20101005231147/http://profootballresearchers.org/Coffin_Corner/20-03-754.pdf|url-status=dead|title=profootballresearchers.org|archivedate=October 5, 2010}}</ref> In spite of this, he topped the 3,000-yard passing mark for the first time and led the league in touchdown passes for the fourth consecutive season.

After three middle-of-the-pack seasons, Colts owner [[Carroll Rosenbloom]] fired Weeb Ewbank and replaced him with [[Don Shula]], who at the time was the youngest head coach in NFL history (33 years of age when he was hired).<ref>{{Cite web |last=Klingaman |first=Mike |date=December 27, 2022 |title=In 1962, the Colts suffered one of the most lopsided losses in NFL history. But there was a silver lining. |url=https://www.baltimoresun.com/2022/12/27/in-1962-the-colts-suffered-one-of-the-most-lopsided-losses-in-nfl-history-but-there-was-a-silver-lining/ |access-date=November 7, 2024 |website=Baltimore Sun |archive-date=November 8, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241108215232/https://www.baltimoresun.com/2022/12/27/in-1962-the-colts-suffered-one-of-the-most-lopsided-losses-in-nfl-history-but-there-was-a-silver-lining/ |url-status=live }}</ref> The Colts finished 8–6 in Shula's first season at the helm, good enough for only third place in the NFL's Western Conference, but they did end the season on a strong note by winning their final three games.<ref name="sportsecyclopedia.com"/> The season was very successful for Unitas personally, as he led the NFL in passing yards with a career-best total of 3,481 and also led in completions with 237.

====1964 MVP season====
In the [[1964 Baltimore Colts season|1964 season]] the Colts returned to the top of the Western Conference. After dropping their season opener to the [[1964 Minnesota Vikings season|Minnesota Vikings]], the Colts ran off 10 straight victories to finish with a 12–2 record. The season was one of Unitas's best as he finished with 2,824 yards passing, a league-best 9.26 yards per pass attempt, 19 touchdown passes and only 6 interceptions. He was named the NFL's Most Valuable Player by the AP and UPI for a second time. However, the season ended on a disappointing note for the Colts, as they were upset by the Cleveland Browns in the [[1964 NFL Championship Game]], losing 27–0.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Lamers |first=Ben |date=March 26, 2015 |title=Throwback Thursday: John Unitas' 1964 Season |url=https://www.stampedeblue.com/2015/3/26/8295229/throwback-thursday-john-unitas-1964-season |access-date=November 7, 2024 |website=Stampede Blue |archive-date=November 8, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241108215538/https://www.stampedeblue.com/2015/3/26/8295229/throwback-thursday-john-unitas-1964-season |url-status=live }}</ref>

Unitas resumed his torrid passing in 1965, throwing for 2,530 yards, 23 touchdowns and finishing with a league-high and career-best 97.1 passer rating. But he was lost for the balance of the season due to a knee injury in a week 12 loss to the Bears. Backup quarterback [[Gary Cuozzo]] also suffered a season-ending injury the following week, and running back [[Tom Matte]] filled in as the emergency quarterback for the regular season finale and in a playoff loss to the Packers. The Colts and Packers finished in a tie for first place in the Western Conference, and a one-game [[1965 NFL playoffs|playoff]] was played in Green Bay to decide who would be the conference representative in the [[1965 NFL Championship Game]]. The Colts lost in overtime 13–10 due in large part to a game-tying field goal by [[Don Chandler]] that many, including Colts hall of fame coach Don Shula and Chandler himself years later, say was incorrectly ruled good.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Steadman |first=John |date=November 3, 1996 |title=Chandler's admission helps take sting out of 31-year-old bad call |url=https://www.baltimoresun.com/1996/11/03/chandlers-admission-helps-take-sting-out-of-31-year-old-bad-call/ |access-date=October 11, 2024 |website=Baltimore Sun}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Colts-Packers Playoff Remains Etched In Lore |url=https://www.packers.com/news/colts-packers-playoff-remains-etched-in-lore-2472744 |access-date=October 11, 2024 |website=www.packers.com |archive-date=January 28, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250128114449/https://www.packers.com/news/colts-packers-playoff-remains-etched-in-lore-2472744 |url-status=live }}</ref>

Unitas, healthy once more, threw for 2,748 yards and 22 touchdowns in 1966 in a return to [[Pro Bowl]] form. However, he posted a league-high 24 interceptions.<ref>{{Cite web |title=1966 NFL Passing |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/years/1966/passing.htm |access-date=May 24, 2024 |website=Pro-Football-Reference.com |archive-date=February 8, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230208232445/https://www.pro-football-reference.com/years/1966/passing.htm |url-status=live }}</ref>

====1967 MVP season====
[[File:JohnnyUnitasSignAutograph1964.jpg|thumb|240px|Unitas signing an autograph in 1964]]
After once again finishing second in the Western Conference in 1966, the Colts rebounded to finish 11–1–2 in 1967 tying the Los Angeles Rams for the NFL's best record. In winning his third MVP award from the AP and UPI in 1967 (and his second from the NEA), Unitas had a league-high 58.5 completion percentage and passed for 3,428 yards and 20 touchdowns.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/classic/biography/s/Unitas_Johnny.html|work=ESPN Classic|title=Unitas surprised them all|publisher=Espn.go.com|access-date=August 5, 2009|archive-date=October 4, 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091004205005/http://espn.go.com/classic/biography/s/Unitas_Johnny.html|url-status=live}}</ref> He openly complained about having [[tennis elbow]]<ref name="SI-Maule">{{cite magazine |last=Maule |first=Tex |url=https://vault.si.com/vault/1967/10/02/its-johnny-u-again |magazine=[[Sports Illustrated]] |title=It's Johnny U. Again |date=October 2, 1967 |access-date=May 23, 2024 |archive-date=May 24, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240524040520/https://vault.si.com/vault/1967/10/02/its-johnny-u-again |url-status=live}}</ref> and he threw eight interceptions and only three touchdown passes in the final five games. Once again, the season ended in loss for the Colts, as they were shut out of the newly instituted four-team NFL playoff after losing the divisional tiebreaker to the Rams, a 34–10 rout in the regular season finale.

====Super Bowls and final Colt years====
In the final game of the 1968 preseason, the muscles in Unitas's arm were torn when he was hit by a member of the Dallas Cowboys defense. Unitas wrote in his autobiography that he felt his arm was initially injured by the use of the "night ball" that the NFL was testing for better TV visibility during night games. In a post-game interview the previous year, he noted having constant pain in his elbow for several years prior.<ref name="SI-Maule" /> He would spend most of the season sitting on the bench. The Colts still marched to a league-best 13–1 record behind backup quarterback and ultimate 1968 NFL MVP [[Earl Morrall]]. Although he was injured through most of the season, Unitas came off the bench to play in [[Super Bowl III]], the famous game where [[Joe Namath]] guaranteed a [[New York Jets]] win despite conventional wisdom. Unitas's insertion was a desperation move in an attempt to retrieve dominance of the NFL over the upstart [[American Football League|AFL]]. Although the Colts won an [[1968 NFL Championship Game|NFL Championship in 1968]], they lost the Super Bowl to the AFL Champion New York Jets, thus becoming the first-ever NFL champions that were not also deemed world champions. Unitas helped put together the Colts' only score, a touchdown late in the game. Unitas also drove the Colts into scoring position following the touchdown and successful onside kick, but head coach Don Shula eschewed a field goal attempt, which (if successful) would have cut 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.

After an off-season of rehabilitation on his elbow, Unitas rebounded in 1969, passing for 2,342 yards and 12 touchdowns with 20 interceptions. But the Colts finished with a disappointing 8–5–1 record and missed the playoffs.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/clt/1969.htm|title=1969 Baltimore Colts Statistics & Players|website=Pro-Football-Reference.com|access-date=March 29, 2018|archive-date=October 22, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201022220058/https://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/clt/1969.htm|url-status=live}}</ref>

In 1970, the NFL and AFL had merged into one league, and the Colts moved to the new [[American Football Conference]], along with the [[Cleveland Browns]] and the [[Pittsburgh Steelers]]. He threw for 2,213 yards and 14 touchdowns while leading the Colts to an 11–2–1 season. In their first rematch with the Jets, Unitas and Namath threw a combined nine interceptions in a 29–22 Colts win. Namath threw 62 passes and broke his hand on the final play of the game, ending his season.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/clt/1970.htm|title=1970 Baltimore Colts Statistics & Players|website=Pro-Football-Reference.com|access-date=March 29, 2018|archive-date=September 29, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130929182347/http://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/clt/1970.htm|url-status=live}}</ref>

Unitas threw for 390 yards, three touchdowns, and no interceptions in AFC playoff victories over the Cincinnati Bengals and the Oakland Raiders.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/U/UnitJo00.htm|title=Johnny Unitas Playoffs Game Log|website=Pro-Football-Reference.com|access-date=March 29, 2018|archive-date=November 15, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131115031638/http://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/U/UnitJo00.htm|url-status=live}}</ref> In [[Super Bowl V]] against the [[Dallas Cowboys]], he was knocked out of the game with a rib injury in the second quarter, soon after throwing a 75-yard touchdown pass (setting a then-Super Bowl record) to [[John Mackey (American football)|John Mackey]]. However, he had also thrown two interceptions before his departure from the game. [[Earl Morrall]] came in to lead the team to a last-second, 16–13 victory.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/197101170clt.htm|title=Super Bowl V – Dallas Cowboys vs. Baltimore Colts – January 17th, 1971|website=Pro-Football-Reference.com|access-date=March 29, 2018|archive-date=June 12, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180612143301/https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/197101170clt.htm|url-status=live}}</ref>

In 1971, Unitas split playing time with Morrall, throwing only three touchdown passes. He started both playoff games, a win over the Cleveland Browns that sent the Colts to the [[AFC Championship Game]] against Don Shula and the [[Miami Dolphins]], which they lost by a score of 21–0. Unitas threw three interceptions in the game, one of which was returned for a touchdown by safety [[Dick Anderson]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Super Bowl V |url=https://www.lines.com/nfl/history-of-super-bowls/V |access-date=November 7, 2024 |website=Lines.com |archive-date=September 14, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240914041832/https://www.lines.com/nfl/history-of-super-bowls/V |url-status=live }}</ref>

The 1972 season saw the Colts declining. After losing the season opener, Unitas was involved in the second and final regular season head-to-head meeting with "Broadway" Joe Namath. The first was in 1970 (won by the Colts, 29–22). The last meeting took place on September 24, 1972, at [[Memorial Stadium (Baltimore)|Memorial Stadium]]. He threw for 376 yards and three touchdowns, but Namath upstaged him again, bombing the Colts for 496 yards and six touchdowns in a 44–34 Jets victory – their first over Baltimore since the 1970 merger.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/years/1970/ |title=1970 NFL Standings, Team & Offensive Statistics |website=Pro-Football-Reference.com |access-date=October 11, 2012 |archive-date=May 20, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220520182608/https://www.pro-football-reference.com/years/1970/ |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/years/1971/ |title=1971 NFL Standings, Team & Offensive Statistics |website=Pro-Football-Reference.com |access-date=October 11, 2012 |archive-date=June 19, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220619205516/https://www.pro-football-reference.com/years/1971/ |url-status=live}}</ref> After losing four of their first five games, the Colts fired head coach Don McCafferty, and benched Unitas.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Stellino |first=Vito |date=July 23, 1991 |title=49ers try to avoid half-baked turnover |url=https://www.baltimoresun.com/1991/07/23/49ers-try-to-avoid-half-baked-turnover/ |access-date=November 7, 2024 |website=Baltimore Sun |archive-date=November 8, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241108220620/https://www.baltimoresun.com/1991/07/23/49ers-try-to-avoid-half-baked-turnover/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

One of the more memorable moments in football history came on Unitas's last game in a Colts uniform at Memorial Stadium, in a game against the [[Buffalo Bills]]. He was not the starter for this game, but the Colts were blowing the Bills out by a score of 28–0 behind [[Marty Domres]]; Unitas entered the game due to the fans chanting, "We want Unitas!!!", and a plan devised by head coach [[John Sandusky]] to convince Unitas that the starting quarterback was injured. Unitas came onto the field and threw two passes, one of which was a long touchdown to wide receiver [[Eddie Hinton (American football)|Eddie Hinton]] which would be his last pass as a Colt. The Colts won the game by a score of 35–7. A small plane flew over the stadium trailing a banner that read, “Unitas We Stand”.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Sun |first=Baltimore |date=September 29, 1991 |title=MEMORIAL STADIUM: OUR COLTS |url=https://www.baltimoresun.com/1991/09/29/memorial-stadium-our-colts/ |access-date=November 7, 2024 |website=Baltimore Sun |archive-date=November 8, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241108220756/https://www.baltimoresun.com/1991/09/29/memorial-stadium-our-colts/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

===San Diego===
Unitas was traded from the Colts to the [[History of the San Diego Chargers|San Diego Chargers]] on January 20, 1973, in a transaction that originally had future considerations returning to Baltimore. The deal's only obstacle was the personal services contract he had signed with the Colts in 1970 which would have kept him employed within the organization on an annual salary of $30,000 over ten years once his career as an active player ended. The pact had been signed when the ballclub was owned by [[Carroll Rosenbloom]] who subsequently acquired the [[Los Angeles Rams]] on July 13, 1972, in a franchise swap with [[Robert Irsay]]. The deal was completed when the Chargers purchased that contract. Eager to sever all ties with the Colts, Unitas signed a new two-year contract with the Chargers on June 8, 1973. He succeeded [[John Hadl]] who had requested and was granted a trade to the Rams.<ref>{{cite news| url= https://www.nytimes.com/1973/01/23/archives/unitas-is-traded-to-chargers-but-says-he-may-not-report-unitas-is.html| last= Wallace| first= William N.| title= Unitas Is Traded to Chargers, But Says He May Not Report| work= The New York Times| date= January 23, 1973| access-date= November 3, 2020| archive-date= November 11, 2020| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20201111193038/https://www.nytimes.com/1973/01/23/archives/unitas-is-traded-to-chargers-but-says-he-may-not-report-unitas-is.html| url-status= live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news| url= https://www.nytimes.com/1973/06/09/archives/gabriel-is-traded-to-eagles-by-rams-unitas-signs-pact-chargers-sign.html| title= Gabriel Is Traded To Eagles by Rams; Unitas Signs Pact| work= The New York Times| date= June 9, 1973| access-date= November 3, 2020| archive-date= April 15, 2023| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20230415121252/https://www.nytimes.com/1973/06/09/archives/gabriel-is-traded-to-eagles-by-rams-unitas-signs-pact-chargers-sign.html| url-status= live}}</ref>

Unitas started the season with a 38–0 loss to the [[Washington Redskins]]. He threw for just 55 yards and three interceptions and was sacked five times.<ref>{{Cite web |title=San Diego Chargers at Washington Redskins - September 16th, 1973 |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/197309160was.htm |access-date=October 7, 2024 |website=Pro-Football-Reference.com |archive-date=October 7, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241007175009/https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/197309160was.htm |url-status=live }}</ref> His final victory as a starter came against the [[Buffalo Bills]] in week 2. Unitas was 10–18 for 175 yards, two touchdown passes, and no interceptions in a 34–7 Chargers rout.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/197309230sdg.htm |title=Box Score, Buffalo Bills at San Diego Chargers, September 23, 1973 |work=Pro-Football-Reference.com |access-date=March 29, 2018 |archive-date=October 18, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181018003018/https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/197309230sdg.htm |url-status=live}}</ref>

Unitas threw two first-half interceptions, passed for only 19 yards, and went 2-for-9 against the [[Pittsburgh Steelers]]. He was then replaced by rookie quarterback and future [[Pro Football Hall of Fame|Hall of Famer]] [[Dan Fouts]]. He made only one other game appearance, in the eighth game of the season against the Chiefs, throwing a single pass for an eight-yard gain. After posting a 1–3 record as a starter, Unitas retired in the preseason of 1974, on July 25, 1974.{{citation needed|date=November 2025}}

===Records and accomplishments===
Unitas won three NFL championships (1958, 1959, 1970), and three MVP awards (1959, 1964, 1967). He was first-team All Pro five times (1958, 1959, 1964, 1965, 1967), and second team All-Pro three times (1957, 1960, 1963). He was also chosen for ten Pro Bowls (1957–1964, 1966, 1967). He was the league's passing yards leader four times (1957, 1959, 1960, 1963), led the NFL in touchdown passes four times (1957–1960) and led the NFL in passer rating twice (1958, 1965).<ref name=":5">{{Cite web |title=Johnny Unitas {{!}} Pro Football Hall of Fame |url=https://www.profootballhof.com/players/johnny-unitas/ |access-date=November 6, 2024 |website=pfhof |archive-date=November 1, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241101190143/https://www.profootballhof.com/players/JOHNNY-UNITAS/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

Unitas led the NFL in fourth quarter comebacks six times (1958, 1961, 1962, 1965, 1967,<ref name=":6">{{Cite web |last=Michael |first=Ryan |title=50 years since Unitas' last pass: Some things you might not know about No. 19 |url=https://www.profootballhof.com/news/2023/11/50-years-since-unitas%E2%80%99-last-pass-some-things-you-might-not-know-about-%C2%A0no-19/ |access-date=November 6, 2024 |website=pfhof |archive-date=November 2, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241102112355/https://www.profootballhof.com/news/2023/11/50-years-since-unitas%E2%80%99-last-pass-some-things-you-might-not-know-about-%C2%A0no-19/ |url-status=live }}</ref> and 1970),<ref name=":10">{{Cite web |title=NFL Fourth Quarter Comebacks Year-by-Year Leaders (since 1950) |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/leaders/comebacks_year_by_year.htm |access-date=November 7, 2024 |website=Pro-Football-Reference.com |archive-date=December 1, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241201175433/https://www.pro-football-reference.com/leaders/comebacks_year_by_year.htm |url-status=live }}</ref> more than any other quarterback.<ref name=":10" /> He is credited with laying the foundation for the two-minute drill.<ref name=":6" />

His 32 touchdown passes in 1959 were a record at the time, making Unitas the first quarterback to hit the 30 touchdown mark in a season.<ref name=":6" /> Early in his career he broke the single season records for completion percentage by a rookie (1956), total passing yards (1960), total completions (1963), and yards per passing attempt (1964).<ref name=":6" /> His 47-game consecutive touchdown streak between 1956 and 1960 was a record considered by many to be unbreakable.<ref>{{cite news |last=Godzinevski |first=Boris |title=The Greatest Individual Streaks in Sport |url=http://bleacherreport.com/articles/333799-the-greatest-individual-streaks-in-sport#/articles/333799-the-greatest-individual-streaks-in-sport/page/11 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141218192140/http://bleacherreport.com/articles/333799-the-greatest-individual-streaks-in-sport#/articles/333799-the-greatest-individual-streaks-in-sport/page/11 |archive-date=December 18, 2014 |access-date=August 1, 2013 |website=[[Bleacher Report]]}}</ref> He led the league in touchdown passes from 1957 to 1960.<ref name=":5" /> The streak stood for 52 years before being broken by [[New Orleans Saints]] quarterback [[Drew Brees]] in a game against the San Diego Chargers on October 7, 2012.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Rovell |first=Darren |author-link=Darren Rovell |date=October 7, 2012 |title=Drew Brees breaks Unitas' mark |url=https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/8476259/drew-brees-breaks-johnny-unitas-record-consecutive-games-td-pass-front-suspended-coach-sean-payton |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121008022854/http://espn.go.com/nfl/story/_/id/8476259/drew-brees-breaks-johnny-unitas-record-consecutive-games-td-pass-front-suspended-coach-sean-payton |archive-date=October 8, 2012 |access-date=July 10, 2012 |website=ESPN.com |agency=Associated Press}}</ref>

Unitas finished his 18 NFL seasons with 2,830 completions in 5,186 attempts for 40,239 yards and 290 touchdowns, with 253 interceptions.<ref name=":6" /> He also rushed for 1,777 yards and 13 touchdowns. Plagued by arm trouble in his later seasons, he threw more interceptions (64) than touchdowns (38) in 1968–1973. After averaging 215.8 yards per game in his first 12 seasons, his production fell to 124.4 in his final six. His [[passer rating]] plummeted from 82.9 to 60.4 for the same periods. Even so, Unitas set many passing records during his career. He was the first quarterback to throw for more than 40,000 yards,<ref name=":5" /> despite playing during an era when NFL teams played shorter seasons of 12 or 14 games (as opposed to today's 17-game seasons) and prior to modern passing-friendly rules implemented in 1978.<ref name=":3">{{cite web|url=http://www.coldhardfootballfacts.com/content/dead-ball-era-career-passer-rating-leaders/6535/|title=Dead Ball Era career passer rating leaders| website= coldhardfootballfacts.com| url-status=dead |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20130914013530/http://www.coldhardfootballfacts.com/content/dead-ball-era-career-passer-rating-leaders/6535/|archive-date=September 14, 2013}}</ref>

Unitas was selected to the [[NFL 1960s All-Decade Team|NFL's All-Decade Team of the 1960s]], the NFL's 50th Anniversary Team,<ref>{{Cite news |date=September 7, 1969 |title=Unitas QBs NFL Team |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-tampa-tribune-nfl-50th-anniversary-t/48315094/ |work=Tampa Tribune |pages=34 |archive-date=May 15, 2024 |access-date=November 7, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240515171433/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-tampa-tribune-nfl-50th-anniversary-t/48315094/ |url-status=live }}</ref> the NFL's 75th Anniversary Team and the NFL 100th Anniversary All-Time Team.<ref name=":5" /> He was selected Player of the Decade for the 1960s, and named "Greatest Player in the First 50 Years of Pro Football".<ref name=":16">{{Cite web |title=ESPN Classic - Unitas dies of heart attack at 69 |url=https://www.espn.com/classic/obit/s/2002/0911/1430557.html |access-date=November 7, 2024 |website=www.espn.com |archive-date=December 21, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241221170835/https://www.espn.com/classic/obit/s/2002/0911/1430557.html |url-status=live }}</ref>

==Different era==

===Rule changes and statistical differences===
Unitas played his entire career in what is sometimes called the "dead ball" era, before the 1978 NFL rule changes made to favor passing offense. The two key rules being the "[[Mel Blount Rule]]" limiting the amount of physical play a defender can use against a receiver, and the rule allowing offensive lineman to extend and grab while blocking instead of keeping their fists closed.<ref>{{Cite web |last=WENDLANT |first=MIKE |title=Three rules that changed the way the NFL is played |url=https://timesdelphic.com/13851/sports/three-rules-that-changed-the-way-the-nfl-is-played/ |access-date=November 6, 2024 |website=The Times-Delphic |date=September 10, 2012 |archive-date=September 14, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240914130635/https://timesdelphic.com/13851/sports/three-rules-that-changed-the-way-the-nfl-is-played/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name=":21">{{Cite news |last=Holder |first=Stephen |date=2021-11-26 |title=Making sense of NFL stats in the 17-game era: 'The highest does not mean the best' |url=https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/2977625/2021/11/26/making-sense-of-nfl-stats-in-the-17-game-era-the-highest-does-not-mean-the-best/ |access-date=2025-11-17 |work=The New York Times |language=en-US |issn=0362-4331}}</ref> The top four Hall of Fame quarterback ratings from the dead ball era are [[Sonny Jurgensen|Sonny Jurgenson]] (82.62), [[Len Dawson]] (82.56), [[Bart Starr]] (80.47), and Unitas (78.2).<ref name=":3" /> There are 34 modern quarterbacks with ratings higher than Jurgenson, with thirteen above a 90 rating.<ref>{{Cite web |title=All-Time Passer Rating {{!}} Pro Football Hall of Fame |url=https://www.profootballhof.com/all-time-passer-rating/ |access-date=November 6, 2024 |website=pfhof |archive-date=October 6, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241006062246/https://www.profootballhof.com/all-time-passer-rating/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Thus, it has been said that the records from the two eras cannot be fairly compared.<ref name=":3" /> It has also been argued that the 1978 rule changes, and ensuing rule changes since to favor the offense, have had as much or more impact on raising quarterback statistics to higher and higher numbers, as increasing the number of games played in a season from 12 to 17 since the 1950s have had.<ref name=":21" />

===Rule changes and quarterback protection===
More rules aimed at protecting quarterbacks from physical harm also have been implemented since Unitas retired.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Cunningham |first=Sean |date=November 30, 2017 |title=How NFL Rule Changes Created a Golden Era of Quarterback Stats |url=https://www.insidehook.com/sports/nfl-rule-changes-created-golden-era-quarterback-stats |access-date=November 6, 2024 |website=InsideHook |archive-date=December 9, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241209213203/https://www.insidehook.com/sports/nfl-rule-changes-created-golden-era-quarterback-stats |url-status=live }}</ref> In describing Unitas in 2002 after his death, ''[[Sports Illustrated]]'' writer [[Paul Zimmerman (sportswriter)|Paul Zimmerman]] observed of this earlier era, "The NFL hadn't liberalized the passing rules. His receivers could get mugged downfield. Defensive linemen could head-slap their way into the backfield, and when they homed in on a quarterback they could hit him any way they wanted. None of today's cellophane-wrapper protection from the officials. ... And Unitas got hit plenty."<ref>{{Cite magazine |last=Zimmerman |first=Paul |date=September 23, 2002 |title=Talking Football In an interview more than two decades after his last game, the old pro showed the passion of an All-Pro still in his prime |url=https://vault.si.com/vault/2002/09/23/talking-football-in-an-interview-more-than-two-decades-after-his-last-game-the-old-pro-showed-the-passion-of-an-all-pro-still-in-his-prime |magazine=Sports Illustrated |access-date=November 6, 2024 |archive-date=September 29, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220929014332/https://vault.si.com/vault/2002/09/23/talking-football-in-an-interview-more-than-two-decades-after-his-last-game-the-old-pro-showed-the-passion-of-an-all-pro-still-in-his-prime |url-status=live }}</ref> [[Upton Bell]], former Colts and Patriots executive and son of NFL Commissioner [[Bert Bell]], in comparing Unitas to modern quarterbacks stated, "They damaged quarterbacks in previous eras. Today they try to preserve them." Bell observed the effects on a quarterback's passing if he knew he would be hit after throwing (old rules) or not (modern rules), and how the best quarterbacks of the modern era would not have been healthy enough to play at a high level into their later thirties if they had been subjected to the unchecked violent play of earlier eras.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Bell |first=Upton |title=Present At The Creation |publisher=University of Nebraska Press |year=2017 |pages=298–299}}</ref>

The Colts played the most brutal game in their history on November 13, 1960, in Chicago against the [[Chicago Bears]]. Unitas once said that Bears coach [[George Halas]] offered $500 to any player knocking Unitas out of the game. In the same game, Gino Marchetti said he was hit high and at the knees by two Bears simultaneously, the hardest he was ever hit in a football game, one of the Bears later apologizing that Halas had told them to do it. With 17 seconds left in the game (Bears up 20–17), Unitas said that Hall of Fame Bears middle linebacker [[Bill George (linebacker)|Bill George]] had Unitas by the legs after a blitz, the ball having been thrown, holding Unitas upright at the behest of Hall of Fame defensive end [[Doug Atkins|Doug Adkins]] whose ensuing tackle hit Unitas in the head.<ref name=":11">{{Cite news |last=Klingaman |first=Mike |date=February 1, 2007 |title=It was brutal |url=https://www.baltimoresun.com/2007/02/01/it-was-brutal/ |work=Baltimore Sun}}</ref><ref name=":12">{{Cite book |last=Gilden |first=Jack |title=Collision of Wills, Johnny Unitas, Don Shula, and the Rise of the Modern NFL |publisher=University of Nebraska Press |year=2018 |isbn=9781496206916 |pages=86}}</ref><ref name=":13">{{Cite book |last1=Berry |first1=Raymond |title=All the Moves I Had |last2=Stewart |first2=Wayne |publisher=Lyons Press |year=2016 |isbn=978-1-4930-1780-5 |pages=64}}</ref>

Unitas' nose was busted and blood was pouring out; he would have a scar on the bridge of his nose for the rest of his life. The trainers could not stanch the bleeding, and Unitas refused to leave the game. He scooped up mud from the field and gave it to offensive lineman [[Alex Sandusky]] (or [[Dick Szymanski]] in other tellings) who shoved it into Unitas' nostrils. Unitas continued the game, throwing a 37-yard touchdown pass to [[Lenny Moore]] for a Colts victory. However, the battered Colts did not win another game the rest of the season, and lost their opportunity for a third consecutive world championship.<ref name=":11" /><ref name=":12" /><ref name=":13" />

The {{height|ft=6|in=8}} and {{convert|257|lb|kg|abbr=on}}<ref>{{Cite web |title=Doug Atkins Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/A/AtkiDo00.htm |access-date=November 8, 2024 |website=Pro-Football-Reference.com |archive-date=March 21, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210321111122/https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/A/AtkiDo00.htm |url-status=live }}</ref> Adkins stated it was not his intention to hurt Unitas, as his shoulder pad inadvertently got under Unitas' helmet. He said Unitas was the greatest of all the great players of that time, and the best player Adkins played against because Unitas was so tough. In describing Unitas' last second pass to Moore that day, Adkins said, "You had to beat [Unitas] the whole 60 minutes." Hall of Fame defensive tackle, and [[NFL 100th Anniversary All-Time Team|NFL 100th Anniversary All Time]] teammate of both Adkins and Unitas, [[Merlin Olsen]] said of Unitas, "'The thing that makes Johnny Unitas the greatest of all time isn't his arm or even his football sense. ... It's his courage.'"<ref>{{Cite book |last=Sahadi |first=Lou |title=Johnny Unitas America's Quarterback |publisher=Triumph Books |year=2004 |isbn=1-57243-610-7 |pages=192–194}}</ref>

==Post-playing years==
[[File:Johnny Unitas.jpg|thumb|A signed photograph of Unitas in his later years]]
After his playing days were finished, Unitas settled in Baltimore where he raised his family while also pursuing a career in broadcasting, doing [[color commentator|color commentary]] for NFL games on [[NFL on CBS|CBS]] in the 1970s.<ref name=":19">{{Cite web |last=Donahue |first=Ben |date=April 30, 2022 |title=The Life And Career Of Johnny Unitas (Complete Story) |url=https://www.profootballhistory.com/johnny-unitas/ |access-date=November 7, 2024 |website=Pro Football History}}</ref> He was elected to the [[Pro Football Hall of Fame]] in 1979.<ref name=":5" /> He was said to be in tune with the psyche of Baltimore,<ref>{{Cite web |last=Alvarez |first=Rafael |date=October 6, 2016 |title=Johnny Unitas Threw His First NFL Pass 60 Years Ago |url=https://www.baltimoremagazine.com/section/sports/johnny-unitas-threw-his-first-nfl-pass-60-years-ago/ |access-date=November 7, 2024 |website=Baltimore Magazine |archive-date=November 13, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241113220455/https://www.baltimoremagazine.com/section/sports/johnny-unitas-threw-his-first-nfl-pass-60-years-ago/ |url-status=live }}</ref> and former Maryland Governor and Baltimore Mayor [[William Donald Schaefer]] said, "He never passed anybody by. ... He gave the city hope.'"<ref name=":18" /> In 1999, [[NFL Films]] and [[HBO]] produced a documentary about Unitas. Pro Football Hall of Fame writer [[Ray Didinger]],<ref>{{Cite web |title=Ray Didinger: A Farewell To My Hero |url=https://www.philadelphiaeagles.com/news/ray-didinger-a-farewell-to-my-hero |access-date=November 7, 2024 |website=www.philadelphiaeagles.com |archive-date=January 1, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250101100744/https://www.philadelphiaeagles.com/news/ray-didinger-a-farewell-to-my-hero |url-status=live }}</ref> one of the program's writers and producers, emphasized that they wanted to show the relationship between the Colts and Baltimore as a powerful part of Unitas's story.<ref>{{Cite news |date=December 10, 1999 |title=HBO's 60-Minute documentary chronicles Unitas' storied career |url=https://www.baltimoresun.com/1999/12/10/hbos-60-minute-documentary-chronicles-unitas-storied-career/ |work=Baltimore Sun |archive-date=June 11, 2025 |access-date=November 7, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250611070117/https://www.baltimoresun.com/1999/12/10/hbos-60-minute-documentary-chronicles-unitas-storied-career/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

After [[Robert Irsay]] [[Baltimore Colts relocation to Indianapolis|moved the Colts franchise]] to [[Indianapolis]] in 1984, a move known to this day in Baltimore as "Bob Irsay's Midnight Ride," he was so outraged that he cut all ties to the relocated team (though his No. 19 jersey is still retired by the Colts), declaring himself strictly a ''Baltimore'' Colt for the remainder of his life.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Johnny Unitas Archives |url=https://www.saturdayeveningpost.com/sep-keyword/johnny-unitas/ |access-date=November 7, 2024 |website=The Saturday Evening Post |archive-date=December 11, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241211061705/https://www.saturdayeveningpost.com/sep-keyword/johnny-unitas/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name=":19" /> Some other prominent old-time Colts followed his lead,<ref>{{Cite web |date=January 13, 1996 |title=Scratch These Colts : Unitas and Matte Don't Think About How Their Former Team Is Doing, Because They Don't Consider Indianapolis Their Former Team |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1996-01-13-sp-24143-story.html |access-date=November 7, 2024 |website=Los Angeles Times |archive-date=June 25, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240625200711/https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1996-01-13-sp-24143-story.html |url-status=live }}</ref> although many attended the 1975 team's reunion at [[Lucas Oil Stadium]] in Indianapolis in 2009. A total of 39 Colts players from that 1975 team attended said reunion in Indianapolis, including [[Bert Jones]] and [[Lydell Mitchell]]. Unitas asked the [[Pro Football Hall of Fame]] on numerous occasions (including on [[Roy Firestone]]'s film ''Up Close'') to remove his display unless it was listed as belonging to the Baltimore Colts. The Hall of Fame has never complied with the request. Unitas donated his Colts memorabilia to the Babe Ruth Museum in Baltimore.<ref name=":19" /> They were on display at the [[Sports Legends Museum at Camden Yards]] until its closure in 2015.

Unitas was inducted into the American Football Association's Semi Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1987.<ref>{{cite web |url= https://www.americanfootballassn.com/forms/2010HallofFameListing.pdf |title=Hall of Fame listing |website=americanfootballassn.com |access-date=May 2, 2018 |archive-date=January 22, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160122083011/http://www.americanfootballassn.com/forms/2010HallofFameListing.pdf |url-status=dead}}</ref>

Unitas actively lobbied for another NFL team to come to Baltimore. After the football organization that made up the original [[Cleveland Browns]] moved to Baltimore in 1996 and [[Cleveland Browns relocation controversy|established the Baltimore Ravens]], he and some of the other old-time Colts attended the [[Baltimore Ravens|Ravens]]' first game ever against the Raiders on Opening Day at [[Memorial Stadium (Baltimore)|Memorial Stadium]]. He was frequently seen on the Ravens' sidelines at home games<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.baltimoresun.com/2000/04/17/fallen-qb-redman-provides-uplifting-moment-for-ravens/|title=Fallen QB Redman provides uplifting moment for Ravens|last=Rosenthal|first=Ken|newspaper=[[The Baltimore Sun]]|date=April 17, 2000|access-date=September 11, 2014|archive-date=September 11, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140911204711/http://articles.baltimoresun.com/2000-04-17/sports/0004170068_1_chris-redman-savage-ravens|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://articles.philly.com/2002-09-13/sports/25361625_1_johnny-unitas-memorial-stadium-psinet-stadium-ravens-stadium|title=Ravens, others plan Unitas tributes|publisher=Philly.com|date=September 13, 2002|access-date=September 11, 2014|archive-date=March 4, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304090027/http://articles.philly.com/2002-09-13/sports/25361625_1_johnny-unitas-memorial-stadium-psinet-stadium-ravens-stadium|url-status=dead}}</ref> (most prominently in 1998 when the now-Indianapolis Colts played the Ravens in Baltimore) and received a thunderous ovation every time he was pictured on each of the huge widescreens at [[M&T Bank Stadium]]. He was often seen on the 30-yard line on the Ravens side.<ref name=":16" /><ref name=":19" />

When the NFL celebrated its first 50 years, Unitas was voted the league's best player.<ref name=":16" /> Green Bay Packers Hall of Fame middle linebacker [[Ray Nitschke]] said of Unitas, "'What a tough guy and what a leader. ... He was the best I ever faced'".<ref>{{Cite news |last=Steadman |first=John |date=January 20, 1995 |title=Old-time fete shows how far NFL has come |url=https://www.baltimoresun.com/1995/01/20/old-time-fete-shows-how-far-nfl-has-come-2/ |work=Baltimore Sun}}</ref> Retired Bears quarterback [[Sid Luckman]] said of Unitas, "He was better than me, better than [[Sammy Baugh]], better than anyone."<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/sportscentury/features/00016574.html|title=Unitas surprised them all|last=Carter|first=Bob|work=espn.com|access-date=September 11, 2014|archive-date=March 3, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303175501/http://espn.go.com/sportscentury/features/00016574.html|url-status=live}}</ref> Hall of Fame player, and NFL coach, Raymond Berry said that what made Unitas unique "was his uncanny instinct for calling the right play at the right time, his icy composure under fire, his fierce competitiveness and his utter disregard for his own safety".<ref name=":2" />

==NFL career statistics==
{| class="wikitable"
! colspan="2"| Legend
|-
| style="background:#ffff00; width:3em;"|
| AP [[NFL MVP]]
|-
| style="background:#ffe6bd; width:3em;"|
| Won the [[NFL championship]]
|-
| style="background:#afe6ba; width:3em;"|
| Won the [[Super Bowl]]
|-
| style="background:#cfecec; width:3em;"|
| Led the league
|-
| style="width:3em;"|'''Bold'''
| Career high
|-
| style="width:3em;"|<u>Underline</u>
| Incomplete data
|}

===Regular season===
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center;"
|-
! rowspan="2"| Year
! rowspan="2"| Team
! colspan="3"| Games
! colspan="9"| Passing
! colspan="5"| Rushing
! colspan="2"| Sacked
! rowspan="2"| {{abbr|Fum|Fumbles}}
! rowspan="2"| {{abbr|4QC|4th quarter comebacks}}
! rowspan="2"| {{abbr|GWD|Game-winning drives}}
|-
! {{abbr|GP|Games played}} !! {{abbr|GS|Games started}} !! {{abbr|Record|Record as a starting quarterback}} !! {{abbr|Cmp|Passes completed}} !! {{abbr|Att|Passes attempted}} !! {{abbr|Pct|Completion percentage}} !! {{abbr|Yds|Passing yards}} !! {{abbr|Y/A|Yards per passing attempt}} !! {{abbr|Lng|Longest pass completion}} !! {{abbr|TD|Passing touchdowns}} !! {{abbr|Int|Passing interceptions}} !! {{abbr|Rtg|Passer rating}} !! {{abbr|Att|Rushing attempts}} !! {{abbr|Yds|Rushing yards}} !! {{abbr|Y/A|Yards per rushing attempt}} !! {{abbr|Lng|Longest rushing attempt}} !! {{abbr|TD|Rushing touchdowns}} !! {{abbr|Sck|Times sacked}} !! {{abbr|SckY|Yards lost due to sacks}}
|-
! [[1956 NFL season|1956]] !! [[1956 Baltimore Colts season|BAL]]
| 12 || 7 || 3–4 || 110 || 198 || 55.6 || 1,498 || 7.6 || 54 || 9 || 10 || 74.0 || 28 || 155 || '''5.5''' || '''34''' || 1 || — || — || 4 || 1 || style="background:#cfecec;"|3
|-
! [[1957 NFL season|1957]]{{ref|LL|†}} !! [[1957 Baltimore Colts season|BAL]]
| 12 || 12 || 7–5 || 172 || style="background:#cfecec;"|301 || 57.1 || style="background:#cfecec;"|2,550 || style="background:#cfecec;"|8.5 || 82 || style="background:#cfecec;"|24 || 17 || style="background:#cfecec;"|88.0 || 42 || 171 || 4.1 || 24 || 1 || — || — || 7 || 3 || 3
|-
! [[1958 NFL season|1958]] !! style="background:#ffe6bd;"|[[1958 Baltimore Colts season|BAL]]
| 10 || 9 || 8–1 || 136 || 263 || 51.7 || 2,007 || 7.6 || 77 || style="background:#cfecec;"|19 || 7 || style="background:#cfecec;"|90.0 || 33 || 139 || 4.2 || 28 || '''3''' || — || — || 5 || style="background:#cfecec;"|3 || 2
|-
! style="background:#ffff00"|[[1959 NFL season|1959]] !! style="background:#ffe6bd;"|[[1959 Baltimore Colts season|BAL]]
| 12 || 12 || 9–3 || style="background:#cfecec;"|193 || style="background:#cfecec;"|367 || 52.6 || style="background:#cfecec;"|2,899 || 7.9 || 71 || style="background:#cfecec;"|'''32''' || 14 || 92.0 || 29 || 145 || 5.0 || 21 || 2 || — || — || 6 || 2 || style="background:#cfecec;"|3
|-
! [[1960 NFL season|1960]] !! [[1960 Baltimore Colts season|BAL]]
| 12 || 12 || 6–6 || style="background:#cfecec;"|190 || style="background:#cfecec;"|378 || 50.3 || style="background:#cfecec;"|3,099 || 8.2 || 80 || style="background:#cfecec;"|25 || '''24''' || 73.7 || 36 || 195 || 5.4 || 27 || 0 || <u>18</u> || 190 || 8 || 1 || 2
|-
! [[1961 NFL season|1961]] !! [[1961 Baltimore Colts season|BAL]]
| 14 || 14 || 8–6 || 229 || style="background:#cfecec;"|420 || 54.5 || 2,990 || 7.1 || 72 || 16 || style="background:#cfecec;"|'''24''' || 66.1 || '''54''' || 190 || 3.5 || 18 || 2 || 28 || 216 || 9 || style="background:#cfecec;"|3 || style="background:#cfecec;"|'''4'''
|-
! [[1962 NFL season|1962]] !! [[1962 Baltimore Colts season|BAL]]
| 14 || 14 || 7–7 || 222 || 389 || 57.1 || 2,967 || 7.6 || 80 || 23 || 23 || 76.5 || 50 || 137 || 2.7 || 25 || 0 || 31 || 255 || 5 || style="background:#cfecec;"|3 || 3
|-
! [[1963 NFL season|1963]] !! [[1963 Baltimore Colts season|BAL]]
| 14 || 14 || 8–6 || style="background:#cfecec;"|237 || 410 || 57.8 || style="background:#cfecec;"|'''3,481''' || 8.5 || 64 || 20 || 12 || 89.7 || 47 || '''224''' || 4.8 || 26 || 0 || '''42''' || '''298''' || '''13''' || 3 || 3
|-
! style="background:#ffff00;"|[[1964 NFL season|1964]] !! [[1964 Baltimore Colts season|BAL]]
| 14 || 14 || '''12–2'''|| 158 || 305 || 51.8 || 2,824 || style="background:#cfecec;"|'''9.3''' || 74 || 19 || 6 || 96.4 || 37 || 162 || 4.4 || 20 || 2 || 37 || 254 || 6 || 2 || 2
|-
! [[1965 NFL season|1965]] !! [[1965 Baltimore Colts season|BAL]]
| 11 || 11 || 8–2–1 || 164 || 282 || 58.2 || 2,530 || style="background:#cfecec;"|9.0 || 61 || 23 || 12 || style="background:#cfecec;"|'''97.4''' || 17 || 68 || 4.0 || 18 || 1 || 29 || 221 || 7 || style="background:#cfecec;"|3 || 2
|-
! [[1966 NFL season|1966]] !! [[1966 Baltimore Colts season|BAL]]
| 14 || 13 || 9–4 || 195 || 348 || 56.0 || 2,748 || 7.9 || '''89''' || 22 || style="background:#cfecec;"|'''24''' || 74.0 || 20 || 44 || 2.2 || 16 || 1 || 21 || 146 || 5 || 1 || 1
|-
! style="background:#ffff00;"|[[1967 NFL season|1967]] !! [[1967 Baltimore Colts season|BAL]]
| 14 || 14 || 11–1–2 || '''255''' || '''436''' || style="background:#cfecec;"|'''58.5''' || 3,428 || 7.9 || 88 || 20 || 16 || 83.6 || 22 || 89 || 4.0 || 13 || 0 || 25 || 198 || 4 || style="background:#cfecec;"|'''4''' || style="background:#cfecec;"|3
|-
! [[1968 NFL season|1968]] !! style="background:#ffe6bd;"|[[1968 Baltimore Colts season|BAL]]
| 5 || 0 || — || 11 || 32 || 34.4 || 139 || 4.3 || 37 || 2 || 4 || 30.1 || 3 || −1 || −0.3 || 5 || 0 || 2 || 15 || 3 || 0 || 1
|-
! [[1969 NFL season|1969]] !! [[1969 Baltimore Colts season|BAL]]
| 13 || 12 || 7–5 || 178 || 327 || 54.4 || 2,342 || 7.2 || 52 || 12 || 20 || 64.0 || 11 || 23 || 2.1 || 13 || 0 || 12 || 93 || 2 || 2 || 3
|-
! [[1970 NFL season|1970]] !! style="background:#afe6ba;"|[[1970 Baltimore Colts season|BAL]]
| 14 || 13 || 10–2–1 || 166 || 321 || 51.7 || 2,213 || 6.9 || 55 || 14 || 18 || 65.1 || 9 || 16 || 1.8 || 9 || 0 || 19 || 158 || 2 || style="background:#cfecec;"|3 || 3
|-
! [[1971 NFL season|1971]] !! [[1971 Baltimore Colts season|BAL]]
| 13 || 5 || 3–2 || 92 || 176 || 52.3 || 942 || 5.4 || 35 || 3 || 9 || 52.3 || 9 || 5 || 0.6 || 3 || 0 || 15 || 129 || 3 || — || —
|-
! [[1972 NFL season|1972]] !! [[1972 Baltimore Colts season|BAL]]
| 8 || 5 || 1–4 || 88 || 157 || 56.1 || 1,111 || 7.1 || 63 || 4 || 6 || 70.8 || 3 || 15 || 5.0 || 8 || 0 || 14 || 114 || 3 || — || —
|-
! [[1973 NFL season|1973]] !! [[1973 San Diego Chargers season|SD]]
| 5 || 4 || 1–3 || 34 || 76 || 44.7 || 471 || 6.2 || 51 || 3 || 7 || 40.0 || 0 || 0 || — || 0 || 0 || 14 || 96 || 3 || — || —
|-
! colspan="2"|[https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/U/UnitJo00.htm Career] !! 211 !! 185 !! 118–63–4 !! 2,830 !! 5,186 !! 54.6 !! 40,239 !! 7.8 !! 89 !! 290 !! 253 !! 78.2 !! 450 !! 1,777 !! 3.9 !! 34 !! 13 !! <u>307</u> !! <u>2,383</u> !! 95 !! <u>34</u> !! <u>38</u>
|}

* {{note|LL|†}} In 1957, Unitas was [[NFL MVP#Newspaper Enterprise Association NFL MVP award|named MVP]] by the [[Newspaper Enterprise Association]] and the [[Touchdown Club of Columbus#Joe F. Carr Trophy|Touchdown Club of Columbus]].

===Postseason===
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center;"
|-
! rowspan="2"| Year
! rowspan="2"| Team
! colspan="3"| Games
! colspan="9"| Passing
! colspan="5"| Rushing
! colspan="2"| Sacked
! rowspan="2"| {{abbr|Fum|Fumbles}}
! rowspan="2"| {{abbr|4QC|4th quarter comebacks}}
! rowspan="2"| {{abbr|GWD|Game-winning drives}}
|-
! {{abbr|GP|Games played}} !! {{abbr|GS|Games started}} !! {{abbr|Record|Record as a starting quarterback}} !! {{abbr|Cmp|Passes completed}} !! {{abbr|Att|Passes attempted}} !! {{abbr|Pct|Completion percentage}} !! {{abbr|Yds|Passing yards}} !! {{abbr|Y/A|Yards per passing attempt}} !! {{abbr|Lng|Longest pass completion}} !! {{abbr|TD|Passing touchdowns}} !! {{abbr|Int|Passing interceptions}} !! {{abbr|Rtg|Passer rating}} !! {{abbr|Att|Rushing attempts}} !! {{abbr|Yds|Rushing yards}} !! {{abbr|Y/A|Yards per rushing attempt}} !! {{abbr|Lng|Longest rushing attempt}} !! {{abbr|TD|Rushing touchdowns}} !! {{abbr|Sck|Times sacked}} !! {{abbr|SckY|Yards lost due to sacks}}
|-
! [[1958 NFL playoffs|1958]] !! style="background:#ffe6bd;"|[[1958 Baltimore Colts season|BAL]]
| 1 || 1 || 1–0 || 26 || 40 || '''65.0''' || 349 || 8.7 || 60 || 1 || 1 || 90.5 || '''6''' || 20 || 3.3 || 15 || 0 || — || — || '''1''' || '''1''' || '''1'''
|-
! [[1959 NFL Championship Game|1959]] !! style="background:#ffe6bd;"|[[1959 Baltimore Colts season|BAL]]
| 1 || 1 || 1–0 || 18 || 29 || 62.1 || 264 || '''9.1''' || 59 || 2 || 0 || '''114.7''' || 2 || 6 || 3.0 || 4 || '''1''' || — || — || 0 || '''1''' || '''1'''
|-
! [[1964 NFL Championship Game|1964]] !! [[1964 Baltimore Colts season|BAL]]
| 1 || 1 || 0–1 || 12 || 20 || 60.0 || 95 || 4.8 || 23 || 0 || 2 || 32.3 || '''6''' || 30 || 5.0 || 16 || 0 || 2 || 6 || 0 || — || —
|-
! [[1968 NFL Championship Game|1968]] !! style="background:#ffe6bd;"|[[1968 Baltimore Colts season|BAL]]
| 1 || 0 || — || 11 || 24 || 45.8 || 110 || 4.6 || 21 || 0 || 1 || 42.0 || 1 || 0 || 0.0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || — || —
|-
! [[1970–71 NFL playoffs|1970]] !! style="background:#afe6ba;"|[[1970 Baltimore Colts season|BAL]]
| 3 || 3 || '''3–0''' || 20 || 56 || 35.7 || '''478''' || 8.5 || '''75''' || '''4''' || 2 || 76.3 || 5 || '''31''' || '''6.2''' || '''17''' || 0 || '''5''' || '''24''' || '''1''' || — || —
|-
! [[1971–72 NFL playoffs|1971]] !! [[1971 Baltimore Colts season|BAL]]
| 2 || 2 || 1–1 || '''33''' || '''57''' || 57.9 || 367 || 6.4 || 27 || 0 || '''4''' || 47.9 || 1 || 5 || 5.0 || 5 || 0 || 3 || 15 || '''1''' || — || —
|-
! colspan="2"| [https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/U/UnitJo00/gamelog/post/ Career] !! 9 !! 8 !! 6–2 !! 120 !! 226 !! 53.1 !! 1,663 !! 7.4 !! 75 !! 7 !! 10 !! 68.9 !! 21 !! 92 !! 4.4 !! 17 !! 1 !! <u>10</u> !! <u>45</u> !! 3 !! <u>2</u> !! <u>2</u>
|}

==Personal life==
[[File:Johnny Unitas grave.jpg|thumb|The gravesite of Unitas in [[Timonium, Maryland]]]]
On November 20, 1954, Unitas, at age 21, married his high school sweetheart Dorothy Hoelle. They lived in [[Towson, Maryland]]<ref>{{cite web| url= http://patch.com/maryland/towson/unitas-home-hits-the-market |title= Johnny Unitas' Former Home To Hit the Market |work= Towson, Maryland Patch|date= January 25, 2012 | archiveurl= https://web.archive.org/web/20180308231611/https://patch.com/maryland/towson/unitas-home-hits-the-market |archivedate=March 8, 2018 | access-date= October 24, 2012}}</ref> and had five children before divorcing. Unitas's second wife was Sandra Lemon, whom he married on June 26, 1972. They had three children, lived in [[Baldwin, Maryland|Baldwin]],<ref>{{cite web| url= http://www.wbaltv.com/news/maryland/baltimore-county/BSO-Decorators-Show-House-highlights-Johnny-Unitas-home/19846946| title= BSO Decorators' Show House highlights Johnny Unitas' home| website= WBALTV.com| publisher= WBAL| date= October 24, 2014| access-date= October 24, 2014| archive-date= March 4, 2016| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20160304000132/http://www.wbaltv.com/news/maryland/baltimore-county/BSO-Decorators-Show-House-highlights-Johnny-Unitas-home/19846946| url-status= live}}</ref> and remained married until his death.

[[Towson University]], where Unitas was a major fund-raiser and which his children attended, named its football and lacrosse complex [[Johnny Unitas Stadium]] in recognition of both his football career and service to the university.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.patriotleague.org/sports/m-footbl/spec-rel/050103aab.html |title=Towson To Immortalize Johnny Unitas By Naming Football Stadium After Former Colts QB |publisher= | work= PatriotLeague.org |date=May 1, 2003 |access-date=October 11, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151123031251/http://www.patriotleague.org/sports/m-footbl/spec-rel/050103aab.html |archive-date=November 23, 2015 |url-status=dead}}</ref>

Toward the end of his life, Unitas brought media attention to the many permanent physical disabilities that he and his fellow players suffered during their careers before heavy padding and other safety features became popular. Unitas had both knees replaced because of an injury in a 1963 Bears game. As the result of an injury to his right arm and elbow first suffered against the Dallas Cowboys in 1968, he eventually could not pick up a fork to feed himself with his right hand in later years. Also, his fingers had been repeatedly broken over the years, and he had no use of the middle three fingers on his right hand. He would slowly sign autographs with his thumb and little finger, and play golf by strapping his hand to the club with a [[Velcro]] strip. He could not perform any physical activity more strenuous than golf due to his artificial knees.<ref name=":2">{{Cite news |last=Litsky |first=Frank |date=September 12, 2002 |title=Johnny Unitas, NFL's Genius of the Huddle, Dies at 69 |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2002/09/12/sports/johnny-unitas-nfl-s-genius-of-the-huddle-dies-at-69.html |work=New York Times |archive-date=October 28, 2014 |access-date=November 6, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141028015736/http://www.nytimes.com/2002/09/12/sports/johnny-unitas-nfl-s-genius-of-the-huddle-dies-at-69.html |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |date=May 7, 2001 |title=Video |url=http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/vault/article/magazine/MAG1022464/2/index.htm |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101024134340/http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/vault/article/magazine/MAG1022464/2/index.htm |archive-date=October 24, 2010 |access-date=November 23, 2010 |work=CNN}}</ref><ref name="Nack">{{cite magazine| last= Nack| first= William| url= https://www.si.com/vault/2001/05/07/303033/the-wrecking-yard-as-they-limp-into-the-sunset-retired-nfl-players-struggle-with-the-games-grim-legacy-a-lifetime-of-disability-and-pain| title= The Wrecking Yard| magazine= Sports Illustrated| date= May 7, 2001| accessdate= November 23, 2010| archive-date= August 11, 2014| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20140811004851/http://www.si.com/vault/2001/05/07/303033/the-wrecking-yard-as-they-limp-into-the-sunset-retired-nfl-players-struggle-with-the-games-grim-legacy-a-lifetime-of-disability-and-pain| url-status= live}}</ref><ref name=":17" />

In 1997, a five-hour surgery on the arm was not successful. He sought league financed disability payments, but was refused because he was receiving a pension and had not sought disability by age 55, even though the severe hand problem did not arise until he was 60. Although his hand was virtually useless, the league also said he was not totally and permanently disabled.<ref name=":2" /><ref name=":17" /> Shortly after his death, an opinion column noted that it was "a sad commentary on a league that Unitas helped bring into the television age. It was his mastery of the game that attracted countless numbers of fans to the sport and television."<ref>{{Cite news |date=November 13, 2002 |title=Johnny Unitas: The NFL's Blue-Collar Hero |url=https://www.carolinajournal.com/opinion/no-630-johnny-unitas-the-nfls-blue-collar-hero/ |work=The Carolina Journal}}</ref>

In 1991, Unitas and his wife filed for bankruptcy protection under [[Chapter 11, Title 11, United States Code|Chapter 11]].<ref>{{cite news| title = Unitas Files for Bankruptcy| newspaper = [[Chicago Tribune]]| date = February 27, 1991| url = https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/ct-xpm-1991-02-27-9101180926-story.html| access-date = April 15, 2023| archive-date = April 15, 2023| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20230415120855/https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/ct-xpm-1991-02-27-9101180926-story.html| url-status = live}}</ref> Their court filings showed that the couple owed creditors as much as $3.2 million but had assets of about $1.4 million.<ref>{{cite news| title = Bankrupt Unitas Is $3.2 Million in Debt| newspaper = [[Los Angeles Times]]| date = April 12, 1991| url = https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1991-04-12-sp-240-story.html| access-date = April 15, 2023| archive-date = April 15, 2023| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20230415120855/https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1991-04-12-sp-240-story.html| url-status = live}}</ref> His financial problems arose in part from a business venture in which he and two partners took out loans to buy National Circuits Inc., a maker of printed circuit boards, and the firm subsequently failed.<ref>{{cite news| last = Singletary| first = Michelle| title = Johnny Unitas files for bankruptcy| newspaper = [[The Baltimore Sun]]| date = February 26, 1991| url = https://www.baltimoresun.com/news/bs-xpm-1991-02-26-1991057186-story.html| access-date = April 15, 2023| archive-date = April 15, 2023| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20230415120855/https://www.baltimoresun.com/news/bs-xpm-1991-02-26-1991057186-story.html| url-status = live}}</ref>

On September 11, 2002, Unitas died from a heart attack while exercising at the [[Kernan Hospital|Kernan Physical Therapy Center]] (now The University of Maryland Rehabilitation & Orthopaedic Institute) in Baltimore. His funeral was held at [[Cathedral of Mary Our Queen, Baltimore|Cathedral of Mary Our Queen]] in Baltimore.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Morgan|first=Jon|date=September 18, 2002|title='We won't see another Johnny Unitas'|url=https://www.baltimoresun.com/sports/ravens/bal-te.sp.unitas18sep18-story.html|access-date=August 5, 2021|work=The Baltimore Sun|archive-date=August 5, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210805190925/https://www.baltimoresun.com/sports/ravens/bal-te.sp.unitas18sep18-story.html|url-status=live}}</ref> Unitas was buried at [[Dulaney Valley Memorial Gardens]] in [[Timonium, Maryland]].

Between his death and October 4, 2002, 56,934 people signed an online petition urging the [[Baltimore Ravens]] to rename the [[M&T Bank Stadium|Ravens' home stadium]] (owned by the State of Maryland) after Unitas.<ref name=":20">{{cite news |url=https://www.baltimoresun.com/sports/ravens/bal-mackey100502-story.html |title=Ravens to honor Unitas, ex-Colts |work=The Baltimore Sun |last=Hensley |first=Jamison |date=October 5, 2002 |access-date=November 4, 2019 |archive-date=November 4, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191104035818/https://www.baltimoresun.com/sports/ravens/bal-mackey100502-story.html |url-status=live}}</ref> These requests were unsuccessful since the lucrative naming rights had already been leased by the Ravens to [[Buffalo, New York|Buffalo]]-based [[M&T Bank]]. However, on October 20, 2002, the Ravens dedicated the front area of the stadium's main entrance as Unitas Plaza and unveiled a statue of Unitas as the centerpiece of the plaza; as well as adding Unitas and the other Baltimore Colt hall of famers (Lenny Moore, [[Art Donovan]], [[Jim Parker (American football)|Jim Parker]], Raymond Berry, and John Mackey) to the Ravens Ring of Honor.<ref name=":20" />

==Legacy==
[[File:Pro Football Hall of Fame (24937139048).jpg|thumb|Unitas jersey exhibited at the [[Pro Football Hall of Fame]]]]
* Unitas held the record for most Pro Bowl appearances (10) by a quarterback until [[Brett Favre]] broke his record in 2009.
* Unitas set the original standard for [[most wins by a starting quarterback (NFL)|most wins as a starting quarterback]] with 118 regular season victories (since surpassed by multiple quarterbacks).
* Unitas was voted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1979.
* Laid the foundation for the modern two-minute drill.<ref name=":6" />
* Unitas is 11th in all-time number of regular season games won by an NFL starting quarterback with 118 wins.
* Unitas is 16th in all-time percentage of regular season games won by an NFL starting quarterback with a percentage of 64.5.
* United was inducted into the American Football Association Semi Pro Hall of Fame in 1987.<ref>{{cite web |title=Hall of Fame |url=http://www.americanfootballassn.com/hall-of-fame.html |website=americanfootballassn.com |access-date=November 8, 2024}}</ref>
* Unitas's no. 16 is the first number retired by the football program at the University of Louisville.<ref name=":14" />
* Unitas Tower, a dormitory at the University of Louisville, is named for Johnny Unitas.<ref name=":15">{{Cite web |title=Johnny Unitas (1933-2002) — College of Arts & Sciences |url=https://louisville.edu/artsandsciences/news/events/hallofhonor/inductees/unitas.html |access-date=November 7, 2024 |website=louisville.edu |archive-date=August 19, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240819181851/https://louisville.edu/artsandsciences/news/events/hallofhonor/inductees/unitas.html/ |url-status=live }}</ref>
* The Johnny Unitas Football Museum is in the Cardinal Football Complex at Louisville.<ref name=":15" />
* A statue of Unitas sits in the north end zone of [[Cardinal Stadium]] at the University of Louisville. It is a tradition for each Cardinal player to touch the statue as he enters the field.<ref>{{cite web|title=Big East gameday traditions: Louisville|url=http://www.espn.com/blog/bigeast/post/_/id/8258/big-east-gameday-traditions-louisville|website=ESPN|date=March 3, 2010|access-date=September 18, 2017|archive-date=September 19, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170919234224/http://www.espn.com/blog/bigeast/post/_/id/8258/big-east-gameday-traditions-louisville|url-status=live}}</ref>
* Since 1987, the [[Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award]] has been awarded to the top senior quarterback of the current year in [[college football]]. The award is presented annually in Louisville. Among the winners was University of Tennessee, and future Colt, quarterback [[Peyton Manning]].<ref name=":7">{{Cite book |last=Sahadi |first=Lou |title=Johnny Unitas America's Quarterback |publisher=Triumph Books |year=2004 |isbn=1-57243-610-7 |pages=ix-xi}}</ref>
* In 1999, he was ranked No. 5 on ''[[The Sporting News]]'' list of the 100 Greatest Football Players,<ref>{{cite web|url= http://archive.sportingnews.com/nfl/100/|title= Football's 100 Greatest Players|publisher= Archive.sportingnews.com|access-date= August 5, 2009|url-status= dead|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20080601193351/http://archive.sportingnews.com/nfl/100/|archive-date= June 1, 2008}}</ref> behind only [[Joe Montana]] among quarterbacks.
* In 2004, ''The Sporting News'' ranked Unitas No. 1 among the NFL's 50 Greatest Quarterbacks, with [[Joe Montana]] at No. 2.
* In 1999, [[ESPN]]'s ''Sportscentury: 50 Greatest Athletes of the 20th Century'' ranked Unitas No. 32.
* Just before his death, Johnny Unitas became the community liaison for athletics in [[Towson, Maryland]]. The football stadium at [[Towson University]] was renamed [[Johnny Unitas Stadium]] in 2002. Unitas died less than a week after throwing his last pass in the grand opening of the stadium.
* Set the record for [[Most consecutive games with a touchdown pass (NFL)#All-time consecutive games with at least one touchdown pass|consecutive games with at least one touchdown pass at 47 games]].<ref>{{cite web|last=Joyce |first=C. Alan |url=http://www.worldalmanac.com/blog/2007/01/unbreakable_sports_records.html |title="Unbreakable" Sports Records |publisher=The World Almanac |date=January 5, 2007 |access-date=August 5, 2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090802071249/http://www.worldalmanac.com/blog/2007/01/unbreakable_sports_records.html |archive-date=August 2, 2009}}</ref> This record was surpassed by [[Drew Brees]] in 2012.<ref>[https://www.nfl.com/news/drew-brees-breaks-johnny-unitas-td-pass-record-0ap1000000078087 Drew Brees breaks Johnny Unitas' TD pass record] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240919072630/https://www.nfl.com/news/drew-brees-breaks-johnny-unitas-td-pass-record-0ap1000000078087 |date=September 19, 2024 }} Retrieved October 20, 2012.</ref>
* Set the record for [[Most consecutive games with a touchdown pass (NFL)#All-time consecutive games with at least two touchdown passes|consecutive games with at least two touchdown passes at 12 games]]. This record was surpassed by [[Don Meredith]], [[Peyton Manning]] (twice), [[Tom Brady]], [[Aaron Rodgers]], [[Philip Rivers]], and [[Patrick Mahomes]].
* Set the record for most consecutive games with at least a 120 passer rating (4); this record was later matched by [[Kurt Warner]].
* For the game following his death, Indianapolis Colts quarterback [[Peyton Manning]] asked to wear a pair of black cleats as a tribute to Johnny's signature black boots. The league denied his request and threatened Manning with a US$25,000 fine; Manning decided not to wear them. Despite the threatened fine, [[Chris Redman]], a Louisville alum like Unitas, and then quarterback of the Baltimore Ravens, decided to pay homage by wearing the signature cleats during a game against the [[Tampa Bay Buccaneers]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Mortensen |first=Chris |author-link=Chris Mortensen |date=September 17, 2002 |title=NFL thwarts Manning in attempt to honor Unitas |url=https://www.espn.com/chrismortensen/s/2002/0917/1432826.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140528033239/http://espn.go.com/chrismortensen/s/2002/0917/1432826.html |archive-date=May 28, 2014 |access-date=July 21, 2014 |website=[[ESPN.com]]}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.baltimoresun.com/2002/09/16/nfl-has-laces-tied-too-tight-banning-colts-high-top-tribute/|last=Vecsey|first=Laura|title=NFL has laces tied too tight, banning Colt's high-top tribute|newspaper=[[The Baltimore Sun]]|date=September 16, 2002|access-date=July 21, 2014|archive-date=October 16, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141016013943/http://articles.baltimoresun.com/2002-09-16/sports/0209160143_1_unitas-colt-cleats|url-status=live}}</ref> Manning later said he regretted not doing it, and that every quarterback in the league should have done it that day to honor Unitas.<ref name=":7" />
* In 2013, a movie project was announced by ''[[The Baltimore Sun]]'' called ''Unitas We Stand'', which will feature Ravens quarterback [[Joe Flacco]] as Unitas during the 1958 NFL Championship.<ref>{{cite web|last=Sessler|first=Marc|url=https://www.nfl.com/news/joe-flacco-will-portray-johnny-unitas-in-upcoming-film-0ap1000000158038|title=Joe Flacco will portray Johnny Unitas in upcoming film|publisher=[[National Football League]]|date=April 6, 2013|access-date=April 8, 2013|archive-date=April 8, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130408080247/http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap1000000158038/article/joe-flacco-will-portray-johnny-unitas-in-upcoming-film|url-status=live}}</ref>
* 19th Street in [[Ocean City, Maryland]], is named "Johnny Unitas Way" in his honor.
* [[Johnny Unitas Stadium]] on the campus of [[Towson University]] in [[Towson, Maryland]], home of the [[Towson Tigers football]] and [[Towson Tigers men's lacrosse]] teams is named in his honor.
* Unitas was posthumously inducted into the National Lithuanian American Hall of Fame on August 24, 2013.<ref>{{cite web|title=PRESS RELEASE: Lithuanian American Legends, Dick Butkus, Ruta Lee, Johnny Unitas Enter The National Lithuanian American Hall of Fame 2013|url=http://www.lithhof.org/index.php/events/item/141-induction|website=lithhof.org|access-date=November 12, 2016|archive-date=November 12, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161112213152/http://www.lithhof.org/index.php/events/item/141-induction|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=August 24, 2013, The National Lithuanian American Hall of Fame Welcomes Dick Butkus, Ruta Lee, and Johnny Unitas|url=http://www.lithhof.org/index.php/events/item/148-induction-ceremony|website=lithhof.org|access-date=November 12, 2016|archive-date=November 12, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161112214408/http://www.lithhof.org/index.php/events/item/148-induction-ceremony|url-status=live}}</ref>
* Readers of NFL.com voted Unitas the Greatest Quarterback of All Time in 2014. Unitas scored 72 percent of the vote over [[Joe Montana]], after the two quarterbacks were the final ones remaining out of a [[bracket (tournament)|bracket]] of players over the history of the NFL.<ref>{{Cite web |date=April 7, 2014 |title=Johnny Unitas wins Bracketology as greatest QB of all time |url=https://www.nfl.com/news/johnny-unitas-wins-bracketology-as-greatest-qb-of-all-time-0ap2000000339884 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240114013100/https://www.nfl.com/news/johnny-unitas-wins-bracketology-as-greatest-qb-of-all-time-0ap2000000339884 |archive-date=January 14, 2024 |access-date=January 14, 2024 |website=NFL.com}}</ref>
* There is an historical marker dedicated to Unitas in Pittsburgh.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Johnny Unitas Historical Marker |url=https://www.hmdb.org/m.asp?m=40892 |access-date=November 6, 2024 |website=www.hmdb.org |archive-date=October 18, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201018223949/https://www.hmdb.org/m.asp?m=40892 |url-status=live }}</ref>
* In 1999, HBO and NFL Films produced a documentary, ''Unitas'', about Unitas, his life, career and impact, and his relationship to Baltimore, narrated by actor [[Liev Schreiber]], including interviews with Unitas, [[Jim Brown]], [[Frank Deford]], and Raymond Berry, among others.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Unitas, Turner Classic Movies |url=https://www.tcm.com/tcmdb/title/476112/unitas#overview |access-date=November 7, 2024 |website=Turner Classic Movies |archive-date=July 12, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250712202118/https://www.tcm.com/tcmdb/title/476112/unitas#overview |url-status=dead }}</ref>
* Unitas was featured twice on the television series [[The Simpsons]], first in the episode "[[Homie the Clown]]", in which Unitas (voiced by himself) encourages the usage of the Krusty Moustache Removal System in a non-stop infomercial. In "[[Mother Simpson]]", Homer's father admires Unitas' short hair in contrast to Joe Namath's controversial sideburns, calling it "a haircut you could set your watch to".
* Unitas played the head coach of the Dallas Knights in Oliver Stone's 1999 film ''[[Any Given Sunday]]''.<ref>{{Cite web |last1=Weyer |first1=Michael |last2=Mocella |first2=Stefano |date=April 7, 2022 |title=NFL Players Who Made Cameos In Movies |url=https://www.thesportster.com/nfl-players-movie-cameos-tom-brady-brett-favre-clay-matthews/ |access-date=November 6, 2024 |website=TheSportster |archive-date=November 25, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241125003405/https://www.thesportster.com/nfl-players-movie-cameos-tom-brady-brett-favre-clay-matthews/ |url-status=live }}</ref>
* Unitas is referenced in the 1991 movie ''[[Point Break]]''. One of the characters in the movie said "They got me babysitting some quarterback punk, named Johnny Unitas or something", when they get a new partner.<ref>{{Citation |title="Point Break (1991) Garry Busey: Pappas" – IMDb |url=https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0102685/characters/nm0000997/ |access-date=April 28, 2024 |archive-date=April 29, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240429053026/https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0102685/characters/nm0000997/ |url-status=live}}</ref>
* Unitas is referenced in a 1992 episode of the Nickelodeon television show [[The Adventures of Pete & Pete]] titled "Space, Geeks and Johnny Unitas."<ref>{{Citation |title="The Adventures of Pete & Pete" Space, Geeks and Johnny Unitas (TV Episode 1992) – IMDb |url=https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0506148/ |access-date=May 11, 2023 |archive-date=May 24, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240524040457/https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0506148/ |url-status=live}}</ref>
* Unitas played himself in the 1976 Disney movie ''[[Gus (1976 film)|Gus]].''<ref>{{Cite web |title=Gus |url=https://www.tvguide.com/movies/gus/2030277685/ |access-date=November 6, 2024 |website=TVGuide.com}}</ref>

==See also==
* [[List of most consecutive starts by a National Football League quarterback]]
* [[Most wins by a starting quarterback (NFL)]]

==Notes==
{{notelist}}

==References==
{{reflist}}

==Further reading==

===Articles===
* Deford, Frank (2002). ''The Best There Ever Was''. ''Sports Illustrated''.
* Staff (2010). ''The Steak that changed football''. ''Sports Illustrated''.
* Zimmerman, Paul (2002). ''Talking Football''. ''Sports Illustrated''.

===Books===
* Bell, Upton. ''Present At The Creation''. Lincoln, NE: U. of Nebraska Press, 2017.
* Berry, Raymond and Wayne Stewart. ''All the Moves I Had''. Guilford, CT: Lyons Press, 2016.
* Bolus, Jim, and Billy Reed. ''Cardinal Football''. Champaign, IL: Sports Pub Inc., 1999.
* Bowden, Mark. ''The Best Game Ever''. New York: Atlantic Monthly Press, 2008.
* Callahan, Tom. ''Johnny U: the life and times of John Unitas''. New York: Crown Publishers, 2006.
* Gilden, Jack. ''Collision of Wills''. Lincoln, NE: U. of Nebraska Press, 2018.
* Lazenby, Roland. ''Johnny Unitas: the best there ever was''. Chicago: Triumph Books, 2002.
* Sahadi, Lou. ''Johnny Unitas America's Quarterback''. Chicago: Triumph Books, 2004.
* Schaap, Dick (1999). "Johnny Unitas: Sunday's Best". In ''ESPN SportsCentury''. Michael MacCambridge, Editor. New York: ESPN-Hyperion Books. pp.&nbsp;154–65.
* Cavanaugh, Jack (2008), ''Giants Among Men''. New York: Random House. {{ISBN|978-1-58836-697-9}}
* MacCambridge, Michael (2005), ''America's Game''. New York: Anchor Books. {{ISBN|978-0-307-48143-6}}

==External links==
{{Commons category|Johnny Unitas}}
* {{Official website|https://www.johnnyunitas.com/}}
* {{IMDb name|id=00881260|name=Johnny Unitas}}
* {{TCMdb name|id=195852{{!}}0|name=Johnny Unitas}}

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[[Category:Baltimore Colts players]]
[[Category:Burials at Dulaney Valley Memorial Gardens]]
[[Category:Catholics from Maryland]]
[[Category:Catholics from Pennsylvania]]
[[Category:Louisville Cardinals football players]]
[[Category:NFL announcers]]
[[Category:NFL players with retired numbers]]
[[Category:NFL Most Valuable Player winners]]
[[Category:People from Timonium, Maryland]]
[[Category:Pittsburgh Steelers players]]
[[Category:Players of American football from Baltimore]]
[[Category:Players of American football from Pittsburgh]]
[[Category:Pro Football Hall of Fame inductees]]
[[Category:San Diego Chargers players]]
[[Category:Sportspeople from Towson, Maryland]]
[[Category:Western Conference Pro Bowl players]]