Johnny Unitas, often called "Johnny U." and "the Golden Arm," is widely regarded as one of the greatest NFL players of all time. His professional career, spanning from 1956 to 1973, primarily with the Baltimore Colts, saw him set numerous NFL records and earn three Most Valuable Player awards. Unitas was considered the prototype of the modern era marquee quarterback, and his journey from an unheralded draft pick to a Super Bowl champion illustrates
a remarkable evolution in both his personal career and the sport itself.
Early Struggles and Unexpected Opportunity
Unitas's path to NFL stardom was far from conventional. After his collegiate career, he was drafted by the Pittsburgh Steelers in the ninth round of the 1955 NFL Draft. However, his time with the Steelers was short-lived; he was released before the season began, deemed not smart enough to quarterback an NFL team by head coach Walt Kiesling. Unitas was not even given any snaps in practice with the Steelers, with Ted Marchibroda, a future longtime NFL head coach, being among those who edged him out.Out of professional football, Unitas, who was already married, worked in construction in Pittsburgh to support his family. On weekends, he played quarterback, safety, and punter for a local semi-professional team called the Bloomfield Rams, earning $6 per game. This period of working a demanding job while continuing to play football highlights his dedication and resilience, setting the stage for his unexpected return to the NFL.
Joining the Baltimore Colts and Immediate Impact
In 1956, Unitas got another chance when he joined the Baltimore Colts. This opportunity arose somewhat serendipitously, as he was asked at the last minute to accompany Bloomfield Rams lineman Jim Deglau to Deglau's scheduled Colts tryout. The two borrowed money from friends for the trip. Despite initial concerns from his uncle about the potential embarrassment if the Colts passed on him, Unitas signed with the team, much to the dismay of the Cleveland Browns, who had hoped to claim him.His NFL debut with the Colts was inauspicious, a "mop-up" appearance against Detroit where he went 0-2 with one interception. However, fate intervened two weeks later when starting quarterback George Shaw suffered a broken leg against the Chicago Bears. Thrust into serious action, Unitas's first pass was intercepted and returned for a touchdown, and he fumbled on his next play. Yet, he quickly rebounded from that 58-27 loss, leading the Colts to an upset victory over Green Bay and their first win against Cleveland. He threw nine touchdown passes that year, beginning his record 47-game streak with at least one touchdown pass, and achieved a rookie record 55.6% completion mark.
Championship Glory and MVP Recognition
Unitas quickly established himself as a dominant force in the league. In 1957, his first season as the full-time starter, he led the NFL in passing yards (2,550) and touchdown passes (24), guiding the Colts to their first winning record in franchise history at 7-5. He was awarded the Jim Thorpe Trophy as the NFL's Most Valuable Player by the Newspaper Enterprise Association (NEA).His leadership culminated in the 1958 NFL Championship Game against the New York Giants, often called "The Greatest Game Ever Played." Unitas led the Colts to a 23-17 sudden-death overtime victory, a game nationally televised by NBC that is credited with significantly boosting the popularity of professional football. He continued his stellar performance in 1959, earning his first AP NFL MVP award and leading the Colts to a repeat championship, again defeating the Giants. Throughout the 1960s, despite some team struggles and injuries, Unitas consistently performed at an elite level, earning multiple MVP awards and Pro Bowl selections, solidifying his legacy as a transformative figure in the NFL.
