Johnny Unitas facts for kids
Unitas signing an autograph in 1964.
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| Position: | Quarterback | ||
| Personal information | |||
| Born: | May 7, 1933 Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA |
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| Died: | September 11, 2002 (aged 69) Lutherville-Timonium, Maryland, USA |
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| Career information | |||
| College: | Louisville | ||
| NFL Draft: | 1955 / Round: 9 / Pick: 102 | ||
| Career history | |||
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| Career highlights and awards | |||
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| Career NFL statistics | |||
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Pro Football Hall of Fame
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John Constantine Unitas (born May 7, 1933 – died September 11, 2002) was an amazing American football player. People called him "Johnny U" and "The Golden Arm." He played most of his career as a quarterback for the Baltimore Colts.
Johnny Unitas was known for setting many records. He was named the NFL's most valuable player in 1959, 1964, and 1967. For 52 years, he held the record for throwing a touchdown pass in the most games in a row. This streak happened between 1956 and 1960.
Unitas helped shape what a modern quarterback looks like. He was great at passing, very popular, and a big media star. Many people still think he is one of the greatest NFL players ever. In 1987, he was added to the American Football Association's Semi Pro Football Hall of Fame.
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Growing Up and College
John Constantine Unitas was born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. He grew up in a neighborhood called Mount Washington. When Johnny was five years old, his father passed away. His mother then raised him.
He went to St. Justin's High School in Pittsburgh. There, he played both halfback and quarterback. After high school, he wanted to play college football. The University of Louisville gave him that chance. Unitas left home to play for the Louisville Cardinals.
His Family Life
On November 20, 1954, when he was 21, Unitas married his high school girlfriend, Dorothy Hoelle. They lived in Towson and had five children.
Later, on June 26, 1972, he married Sandra Lemon. They had three children together. They lived in Baldwin and stayed married until Unitas died on September 11, 2002.
In his later years, Unitas faced many physical challenges. An elbow injury from his playing days meant he could barely use his right hand. He also had artificial knees, which limited his physical activities to things like golf.
On August 24, 2013, after his death, Unitas was honored. He was inducted into the National Lithuanian American Hall of Fame.
His Passing
Johnny Unitas passed away on September 11, 2002. He had a heart attack while exercising. This happened at the Kernan Physical Therapy Center in Baltimore.
A statue of Unitas stands in front of the stadium named after him. Large banners with his picture from his Baltimore Colts days are at the stadium entrance. Towson University also named its football and lacrosse complex Johnny Unitas Stadium. This was to honor his football career and his help in fundraising for the university.
Toward the end of his life, Unitas spoke about the serious injuries many players suffered. These injuries happened before modern safety gear became common. Unitas himself almost lost the use of his right hand. His middle finger and thumb were badly disfigured from being broken many times during games.
Unitas is buried at Dulaney Valley Memorial Gardens in Timonium, Maryland.
His Amazing Legacy
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Johnny Unitas left a huge mark on football. Here are some of his incredible achievements:
- He held the record for the most Pro Bowl appearances by a quarterback (10). Brett Favre broke this record in 2009.
- Unitas set the first record for the most wins by a starting quarterback, with 118 regular season victories. Many players have since passed this record.
- He was voted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1979.
- Unitas is 7th all-time for regular season games won by an NFL starting quarterback, with 118 wins.
- He is 9th all-time for the percentage of regular season games won by an NFL starting quarterback, at 64.5%.
- His number 16 is the only number retired by the football program at the University of Louisville.
- Unitas Tower, a dormitory at the University of Louisville, is named after him.
- A statue of Unitas is in the north end zone of Cardinal Stadium at the University of Louisville. It's a tradition for players to touch the statue before entering the field.
- Since 1987, the Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award has been given out. It honors the best senior quarterback in college football each year.
- In 1999, The Sporting News ranked him No. 5 on their list of the 100 Greatest Football Players. Only Joe Montana was ranked higher among quarterbacks.
- In 2004, The Sporting News ranked Unitas No. 1 among the NFL's 50 Greatest Quarterbacks.
- In 1999, ESPN's Sportscentury ranked Unitas No. 32 among the 50 Greatest Athletes of the 20th Century.
- Just before he passed away, Johnny Unitas became a community helper for sports in Towson, Maryland. The football stadium at Towson University was renamed Johnny Unitas Stadium in 2002.
- He set a record for throwing a touchdown pass in 47 games in a row. Drew Brees broke this record in 2012.
- He also set a record for throwing at least two touchdown passes in 12 games in a row. This record was later broken by Peyton Manning, Tom Brady, and Aaron Rodgers.
- He set a record for having a passer rating of 120 or higher in four consecutive games. Kurt Warner later matched this record.
- After Unitas died, Peyton Manning, a quarterback for the Indianapolis Colts, wanted to wear black cleats to honor Johnny. The league said no and threatened a fine.
- However, Chris Redman, a quarterback for the Baltimore Ravens and a Louisville alum like Unitas, did wear the black cleats during a game.
- In 2013, a movie project called Unitas We Stand was announced. It was planned to feature Ravens quarterback Joe Flacco playing Unitas in the 1958 NFL Championship.
- 19th Street in Ocean City, Maryland is named "Johnny Unitas Way" to honor him.
- Johnny Unitas Stadium at Towson University is named after him. It is home to the Towson Tigers football and Towson Tigers men's lacrosse teams.
Images for kids
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Unitas signing an autograph in 1964
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A signed photograph of Unitas in his later years
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Unitas jersey exhibited at the Pro Football Hall of Fame
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See also
In Spanish: Johnny Unitas para niños
