#19: Johnny Unitas, Quarterback:
Happy birthday to the great Johnny Unitas, who would've been 84 today. #RIP #HOFer pic.twitter.com/q8ViueXtFM
— Sports Days Past (@SportsDaysPast) May 8, 2017
Johnny Unitas was originally drafted in 1955 by the Pittsburgh Steelers with their ninth round selection. After being the ‘odd man out’ the Steelers released Unitas. Woops.
Winner of four championships with the Baltimore Colts, Unitas was a major player in bringing popularity to the sport of football. Another passer to eclipse the 40,000 yard passing mark, ‘The Golden Arm’ spent all but his final season playing for the Colts. Unitas held the record for most consecutive games with a touchdown pass for an impressive 52 years before Drew Brees broke the record in 2012.
“I came into the league without any fuss. I’d just as soon leave it that way. There’s no difference I can see in retiring from pro football, or quitting a job at the Pennsy Railroad. I did something I wanted to do and went as far as I could go.”- Johnny Unitas via profootballhof.com
Johnny was a ten time Pro Bowler and his number 19 retired by the Indianapolis Colts, despite his extreme displeasure with the team moving away from Baltimore. Unitas was frequently seen at Ravens games, when Baltimore finally got a franchise back after the Colts departure.
Due to injuries to his arm (among many others), Unitas finished his career rather poorly, but his career efforts earned him a seat in the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1979. Unitas unfortunately and suddenly passed away in 2002 after suffering a heart attack.
Honorable Mention: Lance Alworth
