Image Gallery of Johnny Unitas

Johnny Unitas

Baltimore Colts legend Johnny Unitas
Johnny Unitas, Colts Quarterback

Colts action from the 1960s (1961 maybe?) - Johnny Unitas turns to hand to his rookie runner Tom Matte. The other Colt in the backfield may be JW Lockett.
Johnny Unitas turns to hand off to Tom Matte

The 1959 Title game between the Giants and Colts as Johnny Unitas hands off the fullback Billy Pricer with Colts blockers Jim Parker, Art Spinney and Buzz Nutter in front. It appears only Giant Rosey Grier is on hand to defend. Unitas, the league's top passer in 1959, had an excellent day leading his Colts to a win passing for 264 yards and 2 touchdowns while rushing for another. Final score Colts 31 Giants 16.
Johnny Unitas hands off to Bill Pricer against Rosey Grier and the New York Giants in the 1959 NFL Championship Game

Johnny Unitas comes under a heavy Detroit Lions rush in this Rob Riger photo. At left Lenny Moore does what he can to keep Wayne Walker away but Joe Schmidt and Darris McCord are coming in hot.
Joe Schmidt, Detroit Lions, Rushing Johnny Unitas - A Rob Riger Photo

Colts runner Alan Ameche hits the line of scrimmage to score during the 1958 NFL Title game against the Giants. Lots of great names here - Rosey Grier (#76) and Jim Parker (#77) battle to the far left as Buzz Nutter (#50) holds off Sam Huff (#70). Rosey Brown (#79) in the center, normally on offense looks like he's on the Giant's goal-line defense. Hall of Famer Emlen Tunnell (#45) can be seen in the back beyond Ameche. Unitas (#19) is there of course and behind him is linebacker Cliff Livingston (#89).
Alan Ameche and Johnny Unitas score in the 1958 NFL Championship Game

The great Johnny Unitas fires off a pass in the 1968 NFL Pro Bowl game. In all Unitas went to 10 Pro Bowls during his 18-year career.
Johnny Unitas, 1968 NFL Pro Bowl Game

Colts legend Johnny Unitas gets a moment of protection as tackle George Preas works to keep Lions threat Alex Karras away form his quarterback. Fullback Jerry Hill can be seen guarding the left side.
The Colts Johnny Unitas as Alex Karras of the Lions with Rushing

Detroit and Baltimore, mid-1960s. Johnny Unitas gets the pass away while Lions defensive tackle Sam Williams can be seen rushing. Colts veteran center Dick Szymanski, #52 is directly behind Unitas.
Johnny Unitas passing against the Detroit Lions in 1964

To many he defined the role of the NFL quarterback during the 1960s. When Johnny Unitas retired in 1973 he held literally every passing record in the book including pass completions - 2830, passing yards - 40,239 and touchdown passes -290.
Johnny Unitas, Baltimore Colts Hall of Fame Quarterback

A nice pic of Colt greats Lenny Moore and Johnny Unitas in 1963. Unitas had the most passing yards that year, 3481. Unfortunately Moore saw his playing time limited with injuries.
Johnny Unitas and Lenny Moore | The 1963 Baltimore Colts

The great Johnny U on his 1968 Colts card. Unfortunately for him, he suffered an elbow injury during the preseason that caused him to sit out almost the entire year. Made a brief appearance in Super Bowl III against the Jets.
Johnny Unitas 1968 Baltimore Colts Topps NFL Football Trading Card #100

Johnny Unitas, Baltimore Colts

Johnny Unitas was originally a 10th round draft pick of the Pittsburgh Steelers in 1955. When Unitas was released, rumor has it Art Rooney's son begged Rooney to keep him.
Johnny Unitas during the 1955 Pittsburgh Steelers Training Camp

Colts quarterbacks Johnny Unitas and Earl Morrall chatting in the Locker Room before Super Bowl V. After being upset in Super Bowl III the Colts returned to the NFL Championship game 2 seasons later to defeat the Cowboys in Super Bowl V.
Johnny Unitas and Earl Morrall in the Locker Room before Super Bowl V

Nice pic of Colts Hall of Fame quarterback Johnny Unitas (#18) dropping back to pass. We think #50 is veteran lineman Buzz Nutter.
Johnny Unitas and Buzz Nutter of the Baltimore Colts

Packers Willie Davis (#87) & Ron Kostelnik (#77) burst through as Colts quarterback Johnny Unitas (#19) tries to set up to pass. #60 is Colts longtime verteran lineman George Preas.
Johnny Unitas under pressure from Willie Davis & Ron Kostelnik

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The Colts Hall of Fame quarterback on one of the covers of the 1965 Seasonal issue of Street and Smith's Pro Football Yearbook. Another release of the same magazine featured the 1964 NFL Champion Cleveland Browns quarterback Frank Ryan.
Johnny Unitas on the Cover of Street and Smith's Issue from 1965

1961 Baltimore Colts - Johnny Unitas turns to give the ball to rookie fullback Mark Smolenski from Wyoming. A back-up, Smolenski played with the Colts until 1962. In 1963 he joined the Jets and stayed with them through 1968.
Johnny Unitas hands off to Mark Smolenski Baltimore Colts 1961

Colts Hall of Fame quarterback Johnny Unitas (#19) under the rush of Buffalo Bill legends Ron McDole (#72) and Jim Dunaway (#78).
Johnny Unitas throws over Jim Dunaway & Ron McDole

Colts field general Johnny Unitas launches a pass while under pressure from that outstanding Rams defense of the late 1960s. How many of these players can you name?
Johnny Unitas of the Colts passes against Deacon Jones, Maxie Baughan and Roger Brown of the Rams

johnny-unitas-sam-huff-redskins-vs-colts

With half of the Rams Fearsome Foursome descending upon him Johnny Unitas has no where elwe to go but down to the turf.
Merlin Olsen & Deacon Jones take down Johnny Unitas

1960s NFL action - Johnny Unitas hands off to Colts runningback Lenny Moore as Rams great Deacon Jones moves in to disrupt their intentions.
Johnny Unitas, Lenny Moore and Deacon Jones - Colts vs Rams, 1960s NFL

A young Colts quarterback, Johnny Unitas (#19) in 1957 tries to out maneuver 49ers defender Dickie Moegle (#47). Moegle, in this, his 3rd season, led San Francisco with 8 interceptions. While Unitas, in just his 2nd year in the NFL led the league with 2250 yards and 24 touchdown passes.
Johnny Unitas and Dickie Moegle in 1957

A hurting Jonny Unitas (#19) comes off the bench in Super Bowl III to an effort to turn the tide against the Jets. Defensive End Verlon Biggs (#86) applies pressure. Other players noted above are Bill Curry (#50), Paul Rochester (Jets, #72), Jerry Hill (#45) and Bob Vogel (Colts, #72).
Verlon Biggs rushing Johnny Unitas | Jets & Colts, Super Bowl III

Johnny Unitas (#19) out runs Giant defenders Dick Modzelewski (#77) & Andy Robustelli (#81) in the 1958 NFL Championship game between Baltimore and New York.
Johnny Unitas in the 1958 NFL Championship Game Against the New York Giants

Down goes Colts quarterback Johnny Unitas (#19) under the weight of Rams lineman Merlin Olsen (#74) and Rosey Grier (#76)
Johnny Unitas is sacked by Merlin Olsen & Rosey Grier

Colts quarterback Johnny Unitas (#19) squares up on Bears safety Dave Whitsell (#23). Also identifiable in this picture from 1964 are Bears lineman Stan Jones (#78) and Doug Atkins (#81). Colts center Dick Szymanski (#52) can be seen as well.
Johnny Unitas blocking Dave Whitsell

49ers defensive lineman Charlie Krueger is held up by Colts offensive lineman Alex Sandusky as Johnny Unitas gets the pass off in this action from the mid-60s NFL.
Johnny Unitas under pressure from the 49ers Charlie Krueger

Some classic old school NFL. Bears and Colts. Doug Atkins and another unidentifiable Bear defender assail Colts QB Johnny Unitas. Fullback Alan Ameche along with the great Jim Parker (#77) keep them at bay.
Classic Old School NFL - Colts & Bears. Johnny Unitas, Doug Atkins, Jim Parker and Alan Ameche

1973 - Here the former Colt and future Hall of Fame quarterback has just completed a 25-yard pass to former Chief Mike Garrett to become the first player to throw for over 40,000 yards in a career.
Johnny Unitas goes over 40,000 passing yards

Now That's a Pretty Face!
Johnny Unitas Close Up

Early 1960s NFL action between Cleveland and Baltimore - Hall of Famer Johnny Unitas gets a pass of center Dick Szymanski (#52) and guard Palmer Pyle (#62) keep Browns defender Jim Houston (#82) at bay.
The Colts Johnny Unitas gets a Pass Off with Jim Houston of Cleveland Rushing

The Hall of Famer poses for a picture posted in an Exhibition Game program from a preseason game between the Packers and Cardinals played at Tulane Stadium in New Orleans before the 1964 NFL season. Unitas would make his 8th consecutive Pro Bowl that year as the Colts would advance all the way to the NFL Championship game against the Browns. The Browns would come out on top though with a dominating 27-0 thrashing of the Colts.
Johnny Unitas from a 1964 Tulane Stadium Exhibition Game

One of the photos from Sports Photographer Bob Riger's Man in Sport Photo Exhibit. This one is taken from the 1958 NFL Championship game between the Baltimore Colts and the New York Giants. The Giants rush appears halted as the Colts signal caller sets to throw downfield. Other Colts pictured along with Unitas are #63 - Art Spinney, #50 - Buzz Nutter, #60 - George Prias and #35 - Alan Ameche. For New York #77 - Dick Modzelewski looks on as Jim Katcavage leaps with out stretched arms.
Photo from the Man in Sport Photo Exhibit | Johnny Unitas going against the Giants in the 1958 NFL Championship

Passed for over 40,000 yards in his 18-year career. Set the NFL record of 47 consecutive games with a touchdown pass. Those games spanned from the finale game of the 1956 season to week 11 of 1960.
Johnny Unitas NFL Great

One of the icons of the NFL in the 1960s - Hall of Fame quarterback Johnny Unitas.
Colts QB Johnny Unitas

The Hall of Fame Quarterback enjoys an RC Cola!
Johnny Unitas RC Cola Ad

Baltimore Colts Hall of Fame Quarterback Johnny Unitas played in the NFL for 17 years and retired as the undisputed #1 Quarterback of his time.
Colts Hall of Fame Quarterback Johnny Unitas

Up close photo of the Baltimore Colts Line of Scrimmage with Hall of Fame Quarterback Johnny Unitas as the signal caller. Taken sometime during the early 60s, pictured - from left to right - #88 Tight End John McKay, #60 Tackle George Preas, #68 Guard Alex Sandusky, #52 Center Dick Szymanski and #77 Guard Jim Parker. And while you can't see #72 Left Tackle Bob Vogel is probably present at the far end.
Johnny Unitas and the Baltimore Colts Offense of the Early 60s

His 1967 Topps Football Card. That season he was named to the All-Pro Team as well as the Pro Bowl. He completed 58.5% of his 436 passes for 3428 yards and 20 touchdowns.
Johnny Unitas 1967 Trading Card

A happy Johnny Unitas is interviewed in the locker room after the Colts 16-13 victory over the Dallas Cowboys.
Johnny Unitas after the Win in Super Bowl V.

Johnny Unitas NFL Colts Quarterback

Baltimore Quarterback Johnny Unitas made a brief and ineffective appearance in the 1968 Super Bowl Loss to the New York Jets Jets
Johnny Unitas Super Bowl III

Johnny Unitas with the San Diego Chargers

Dick Butkus and others of Bears pressure Colts QB Johnny Unitas
Johnny Unitas under Pressure from Bears Linebacker Dick Butkus

Johnny Unitas Baltimore Colt Great

The Detroit defense against Baltimore Great Johnny Unitas
Johnny Unitas Passes Against the Detroit Lion Defense

The Baltimore Colts Offense of the Early 60s. #45 Jerry Hill, #19 John Unitas & #77 Jim Parker. Both Unitas and Parker are in the Hall of Fame.
Old School Colts Offense - Jerry Hill, Johnny Unitas and Jim Parker

John Unitas gets off a pass against Green Bay Packer Dan Currie
Dan Currie and Johnny Unitas

One of the most productive scoring tandems in the history of the NFL - Baltimore Colts Johnny Unitas and Raymond Berry
Baltimore Colts Scoring Duo Johnny Unitas and Raymond Berry

NFL Hall of Fame Quarterback Johnny Unitas

Old photo of Hall of Fame NFL Quarterback Johnny Unitas of the Baltimore Colts 1956-1972. Considered by many to be greatest quarterback of his time.
Johnny Unitas of the Baltimore Colts 1956-1972

Ranked No. 5 in 1999 on The Sporting News list of the 100 Greatest Football Players. Only Joe Montana ranked higher among quarterbacks.
Johnny Unitas

A Hall of Fame inductee in 1979 NFL Legend Johnny Unitas played 18 years in the NFL - 17 as a Baltimore Colt. He was named to the Pro Bowl 10 times during his career. He led the Colts to 2 NFL Championships in 1958 and 1958. In 1971 he guided his colts to a Super Bowl victory over the Dallas Cowboys in 1971.
NFL Quarterback Johnny Unitas

Probably one of - if not the - best know quarterback from the Golden Age of Football. Played 18 years in the NFL and was selected to 10 Pro Bowls. Led the Colts to a 16-13 win over the Cowboys in Super Bowl V.
Johnny Unitas

Classic photograph of two Baltimore Colt greats. Center Dick Szymanski provides pass protection for Quarterback Johnny Unitas while he passes
Dick Szymanski Blocks for Johnny Unitas

His name is almost synonymous with the Golden Age of Professional Football. The league MVP in 1957 he led the Colts to 3 NFL Titles in his 18-year career.
Johnny Unitas