Johnny Unitas was a legendary American football player who served as a quarterback for the Baltimore Colts and San Diego Chargers in NFL. Hailing from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, he was born on May 7, 1933, and passed away on September 11, 2002, in Baltimore, Maryland, at the age of 69.
With a height of 6 ft 1 in and weight of 194 lb, Unitas won many accolades for his outstanding performance on the field, including three NFL championships, five First-team All-Pro selections, three Bert Bell Awards, and NFL Man of the Year in 1970.
Furthermore, he was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
Personal Information of Johnny Unitas
| Real Name/Full Name | John Constantine Unitas |
| Age | 69 years old |
| Birth Place | Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania |
| Nationality | American |
| Weight | 88.91 kg |
| Wife/Spouse (Name) | Sandra Lemon |
| Profession | Footballplayer |
| Net Worth | $700,000 |
Early life
Johnny Unitas, one of the most iconic quarterbacks in football history, was born in Pittsburgh in 1933. He was raised in the Mount Washington neighborhood in a Roman Catholic family. Johnny’s parents, Francis J.
Unitas and Helen Superfisky, were of Lithuanian descent. At a young age of 5, Johnny’s father passed away due to cardiovascular renal disease complicated by pneumonia. This left Johnny to be raised by his mother, who worked two jobs to support the family.
Johnny’s last name, Unitas, was a phonetic translation of a common Lithuanian last name, Jonaitis. He attended St. Justin’s High School in Pittsburgh, where he played both halfback and quarterback. Even at a young age, Johnny’s talent on the field began to shine.
His football skills showed great promise as he worked hard on both offensive and defensive plays. Despite the hardships that his family faced, Johnny’s strong spirit, and love for football set him on the path to greatness.
As we know, Johnny Unitas would go on to become a legend in the NFL, earning numerous accolades and records that would forever cement his legacy in football history.
College career
Johnny Unitas was a talented football player in his early years. He had a dream of playing for the Notre Dame Fighting Irish team. When Johnny tried out for the team, the coach didn’t allow him to join.
The coach said that he was too thin to be put on the field and would get defeated by other players. Johnny didn’t give up on his dream, and he enrolled at the University of Louisville. At Louisville, his coach taught him great strategies and ways to throw a football.
Unitas became a great quarterback during his time at the university. In his senior year, he led his team to a 5-5 record, throwing for 1,497 yards and 16 touchdowns. Unitas played in the college All-Star Game in Chicago before being drafted by the Pittsburgh Steelers.
His great performances at Louisville helped him to make his dream a reality, as he became one of the greatest quarterbacks in NFL history, known for his leadership and clutch performances. Without the rejection, we may never have seen the Johnny Unitas we know today.
Professional career
Johnny Unitas, a former American football quarterback, was drafted by the Pittsburgh Steelers in the ninth round of the NFL draft. Although he couldn’t make a spot on the team as there were four quarterbacks vying for three slots.
The head coach of the Steelers, Walt Kiesling, did not think that Unitas was smart enough to lead an NFL team and thus didn’t give him any snaps in practice. Ted Marchibroda beat Unitas among those trying to secure a spot on the Steelers.
With no career in the pro football league, he worked in the construction field in Pittsburgh to sustain his family, leaving his dream behind. However, he continued playing football on weekends for a semi-professional team called the Bloomfield Rams.
He played as a quarterback, safety, and punter for $6 a game. This was how his professional career started in football. Despite being overlooked, Unitas remained hardworking and determined. Unitas never gave up on his dream of playing professional football, and his solution, the Bloomfield Rams team, was not in vain.
Johnny played for the Baltimore Colts for nine seasons and helped them win the NFL championship in 1958. Johnny Unitas’ accomplished professional career included several milestones such as passing for 40,239 yards, 290 touchdowns, and 17 300-yard passing games.
NFL career statistics
Johnny Unitas was a renowned American football quarterback who had an illustrious career in the NFL. He played for the Baltimore Colts and holds many records that remain unbroken even today. Unitas played 18 seasons in the NFL and was a 10-time Pro-Bowl selection.
During his career, Unitas threw for 40,239 yards and 290 touchdowns, completing over 53% of his passes. He led the league in touchdown passes four times and in passing yardage three times. Unitas also won three NFL Championships and a Super Bowl during his career.
He was named the NFL Most Valuable Player three times and was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1979. Despite his success on the field, Unitas remained humble and dedicated to his team and fans.
His legacy as one of the greatest quarterbacks in NFL history continues to inspire new generations of football players.
Personal life
Johnny Unitas had a personal life that involved two marriages. His first wife was Dorothy Hoelle, whom he married at the age of 21. They were high school sweethearts and lived in Towson. Sadly, the couple ended up getting divorced after having five children.
Johnny went on to marry his second wife, Sandra Lemon, on June 26, 1972. Sandra and Johnny had three children together. They lived in Baldwin, and the marriage lasted until Johnny’s death. Despite going through a divorce, Johnny remained close with his children from his first marriage.
He was a devoted father who always made time for his family. Although Johnny is known for his career as an NFL player, he also had a personal life that was just as important to him. Johnny was a family man who valued the time he spent with his loved ones.
Even after his passing, his legacy lives on as a devoted father and a talented football player.
How many Super Bowls did Johnny Unitas play in?
Johnny Unitas:
– Was a football player known for his distinctive backpedal and black high-top shoes.
– Played for the Colts.
– Led the Colts to three NFL championships.
– Won one Super Bowl with the Colts in 1971.
– Is considered one of the greatest quarterbacks of all time.
– Played for 18 seasons in the NFL.
– Was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1979.
– Earned three NFL MVP awards in his career.
– Set numerous records during his career.
– Played in one Super Bowl and won it in 1971.
What was Johnny Unitas salary?
Johnny Unitas signed a one-year contract with the Colts in 1956. He was paid $7,000 for his services during the season. The contract was divided into 12 weeks where he received $437 per week. The remaining balance of $1,750 was given to him at the end of the year.
Despite the low figure, Unitas was grateful for the opportunity to play. If he failed to make the team, he wasn’t guaranteed anything. This made his situation precarious. However, he worked hard and became a key player for the Colts.
The low salary didn’t discourage him, and he went on to lead the team to many victories. Unitas’ relationship with the Colts lasted for 17 years. He went on to become one of the best quarterbacks in the history of the game, and he was inducted into the Hall of Fame.
Though the salary may seem small by today’s standards, Unitas proved that he was worth much more than that. His career was one of the most successful and inspiring in football history.
Net wroth
Johnny Unitas was one of the greatest quarterbacks in NFL history, who played for 18 seasons, mainly with the Baltimore Colts. He was known as “The Golden Arm” and set many records in his career.
He also led the Colts to four championships, including one Super Bowl. But how much was he worth when he died in 2002?
According to various sources, Johnny Unitas had a net worth of about $10 million at the time of his death. He earned most of his money from his football career, which spanned from 1956 to 1973.
He signed a $7,000 contract with the Colts in 1956, after being cut by the Pittsburgh Steelers. He went on to become a three-time NFL MVP and a 10-time Pro Bowler. He also had endorsement deals with brands like Vitalis and Spalding.
Unitas was not only a star on the field, but also a generous and humble person off the field. He supported many charities and causes, such as the United Way and the March of Dimes.
He also helped establish the Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Educational Foundation, which provides scholarships to student-athletes. He was admired by fans and peers alike for his leadership, courage and integrity.
Unitas died of a heart attack on September 11, 2002, at the age of 69. He was survived by his second wife Sandra and his eight children. He was buried in Dulaney Valley Memorial Gardens in Timonium, Maryland.
His legacy lives on in the Pro Football Hall of Fame, where he was inducted in 1979, and in the hearts of millions of football fans around the world.
How many MVP did Johnny Unitas win?
Johnny Unitas was a renowned football player from the United States who set numerous NFL records. He won the Most Valuable Player award three times during his career as a professional footballer. In the years 1959, 1964, and 1967, he was declared the Most Valuable Player.
Apart from winning the MVP award, Johnny Unitas also received several accolades. He was selected for the Pro Bowl a total of 10 times and was recognized as a first-team All-Pro on five occasions.
Unitas was a top-performing footballer who played for the Pittsburgh and Baltimore teams. He was known for his outstanding contributions to the game of football and was regarded as one of the greatest quarterbacks ever to play in the NFL.
What happened Johnny Unitas?
Johnny Unitas, an American football player, passed away due to a heart attack on September 11, 2002. He died while working out at a physical therapy center in Baltimore. He was 69 years old. Unitas was known for his contribution to the game of football and regarded as one of the all-time greats.
An icon in the world of sports, Unitas left behind a lasting legacy, inspiring millions of sports fans across the world. He was a prominent player of the NFL and had a successful career, winning several awards and accolades.
Despite his death, his contribution to the game, his team, and the fans will always be remembered. The legend of Unitas still inspires young football players to pursue the sport and work hard to make their dreams a reality.
The football world lost a beloved member, but his memory and contributions will always be remembered. Unitas was not just a football player, he was a symbol of dedication, hard work, and success, and his legacy continues to inspire generations of athletes globally.
To Recap
Johnny Unitas was an American football Quarterback, born on May 7, 1933, in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. He is famously known for playing a majority of his career with the Baltimore Colts. He was a superstar and was the NFL champion in three different seasons, 1958, 1959 and 1968.
What’s interesting is that he was named Most Valuable Player in the NFL three times and was the NFL Man of the Year in 1970. In addition, he was also nominated for the Pro-Bowl 10 times, and he was included on the NFL 50th Anniversary All-Time Team, NFL 75th Anniversary All-Time Team, as well as the NFL 100th Anniversary All-Time Team, which shows how amazing his talent was.
