PRO FOOTBALL HALL OF FAME MEMBER

#19 Johnny Unitas - QB

Johnny Unitas Career NFL Stats 1956-1973
G
GS
REC
COMP
ATT
COMP %
YARDS
TD
INT
RATT
RYDS
YPR
RTD
211
185
118-63-4
2,830
5,186
54.6
40,239
290
253
450
1,777
3.9
13
 

 

John Constantine Unitas was born on May 7, 1933 in Pittsburgh, PA. He was the son of Helen Superfisky and Francis Unitas. Johnny’s father passed away when he was young and was raised by his mother. She worked numerous jobs to support her family. Growing up, Unitas wanted to become a professional football player. His journey to becoming one of the greatest quarterbacks of all time began in high school.

 

 

Unitas attended St. Justin’s High School. Johnny’s first football start came way of the starter being injured. Nonetheless, he took advantage of his opportunity. During his senior year Johnny made Pittsburgh’s All-Catholic team. When it came time to pick a college, his skinny frame (6 ft., 145 lbs.) scared off programs such as Notre Dame. Unitas would accept a scholarship to the University of Louisville.

 

Johnny Unitas College Career Stats and Notes

Unitas played for Louisville from 1951-54. In his four years as a Cardinals' signal caller, Unitas threw for 3,139 yards and 27 TDs on 245 completions.  

 

Awards and Achievements
MVP
All-Pro

1st Team: 1958, 1959, 1964, 1965, 1967

2nd Team: 1957, 1960, 1963

Pro Bowl Selections
1957, 1958, 1959, 1960, 1961, 1962 1963, 1964, 1966, 1967
Passing Yards Title:
1957, 1959, 1960, 1963
Achievements

Super Bowl Champion

V

NFL Champion

1958, 1959, 1968

Member of 1960s All-Decade Team

Member of NFL 50th Anniversary All-Time Team

Member of NFL 75th Anniversary All-Time Team

Member of NFL 100th Anniversary All-Time Team

 

 

Johnny Unitas NFL Career Stats and Notes

In the 1955 NFL Draft, Unitas was selected by the Pittsburgh Steelers in the 9th round (102nd overall) However, he was cut prior to the start of the season. He ended up playing semipro football for the Bloomfield Rams. The following NFL season, Unitas joined the Baltimore Colts.

Unitas played for the Colts for 17 years. He delivered three NFL Championships and a Super Bowl V victory over the Dallas Cowboys. He also set an NFL record by throwing a TD pass in 47 consecutive games starting in his rookie season until 1960 (a record that has been broken by Drew Brees).  In 1973, the great Unitas headed to California and joined the San Diego Chargers.  He played one season in San Diego and retired from the NFL. Unitas was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1979.

 

Johnny Unitas 1958 NFL Championship Game

Unitas was seeking his first NFL Championship when his Colts met the New York Giants in the 1958 title game. However, it wouldn’t be just another championship game for the league. It would change the NFL’s viewership forever.

On December 28, 1958, the Colts-Giants game was televised nationally. An amazing 45 million people tuned in to what is still widely considered ‘The Greatest Game Ever Played’.  With superstar Unitas leading his team up against the team from the biggest media market in the country, what the NFL could hope for was a good game to gain more fans. Millions of viewers were treated to an all-time classic. Unitas led the Colts to victory in a 23-17 overtime thriller. Unitas completed 26 of 40 passes for 361 yards and 1 TD in his 1st NFL title win.

 

 

List of Pro Football Hall of Fame Members