Johnny Unitas Autograph

Profession:
(1933-2002) American football quarterback who played in the National Football League (NFL) for 18 seasons, primarily with the Baltimore Colts

Year of Birth: 1933

John Constantine Unitas was born on May 7, 1933 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. He was the son of a steel worker and a homemaker. His father, Francis Albert Unitas, was a Lithuanian immigrant who worked for the steel mills, while his mother, Floretta (Kusick) Unitas, was a homemaker.

John attended St. Justin's High School in Pittsburgh, where he excelled in sports and academics. He was also an altar boy and was active in the choir. He then went on to the University of Louisville, where he was a three-sport star in football, baseball, and basketball. He was also a member of the honor society and graduated with a B.A. in Business Administration in 1955.

After college, Unitas joined the Baltimore Colts in 1956. He quickly established himself as one of the best quarterbacks in the NFL, leading the Colts to three NFL Championships in 1958, 1959, and 1968, and one Super Bowl win in 1970. He was named the NFL's Most Valuable Player three times, in 1959, 1964, and 1967. He was also selected to the Pro Bowl ten times and was a member of the NFL's 75th Anniversary Team.

Unitas was renowned for his passing ability and was one of the first quarterbacks to throw long passes down the field. He also revolutionized the no-huddle offense and was the first quarterback to call his own plays. He was also known for his leadership on the field and his ability to come from behind late in games.

Unitas retired in 1973, but his legacy lives on. He was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1979 and was named to the NFL's 100th Anniversary Team in 2019. He was also the first player to have his number retired by the Colts in 1983. His number, 19, can be seen in the rafters of Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis.

John Constantine Unitas left a lasting legacy in the NFL as one of the greatest quarterbacks of all time. He revolutionized the passing game and led the Colts to great heights. His number 19 will always be remembered as a symbol of excellence in the game of football.