Hall of Fame Quarterback Johnny Unitas Dies

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Famed Baltimore Colts quarterback Johnny Unitas died Wednesday, September 11, 2002 in Timonium, Maryland. He was 69-years-old.

Funeral Services were held at the Cathedral of Mary our Queen in Baltimore. Archbishop William Keeler officiated Mass at the closed-casket ceremony. The service was open to the public, and fans and teammates joined Unitas' family in remembrance of "Johnny U."

"Johnny Unitas will always be a legendary name in NFL history," league commissioner Paul Tagliabue said. "One of the greatest quarterbacks to ever play the game, he epitomized the position with his leadership skills and his ability to perform under pressure."

Johnny Unitas Glance was born on May 7, 1933. Though he grew up in Pittsburgh, it was Baltimore where Unitas first became famous. From 1956-1972 he served as the Baltimore Colts star quarterback. As his legend grew, the 6'1" 195 pound "Johnny U" also became known for his signature crewcut and black hightops. Talented, confident and determined, Unitas often called his own plays on the field. "It's like being in a huddle with God," former Colts teammate John Mackey once said.

Among his many accomplishments, Unitas is responsible for "the greatest football game ever played." At the 1958 championship match up vs. the New York Giants, with 90 seconds on the clock, he completed four passes to bring the Colts to the 20-yard line. They tied the game on a field goal, after which Unitas set up an 80-yard drive for the winning touchdown. "…It became the first playoff ever to go to sudden death, and you can't have much more drama than that," he said.

Unitas retired in 1974 after one season with the San Diego Chargers. During his 18-year career, the two-time MVP recipient played in 10 Pro Bowls, captured three championships for the Colts and became the first quarterback to throw for 40,000 yards. In all, Unitas left with 22 NFL records, including most yards gained passing (40,239), most completed passes (2,830) and most touchdown passes (290).

In 1969, during a celebration to mark the NFL's 50th anniversary, Unitas was named the "Greatest Quarterback of All-Time." Ten years later he was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in Canton, Ohio. "A man never gets to this station in life without being helped, aided, shoved, pushed and prodded to do better," Unitas said at the ceremony. "I want to be honest with you: The players I played with and the coaches I had ... they are directly responsible for my being here. I want you all to remember that. I always will."

He was honored again in 2000 when he was voted the "Greatest Player in the First 50 Years of Pro Football," and named the quarterback for the NFL's All-Time team.

Unitas had been working out at a physical therapy center in the Baltimore suburb when he suffered the heart attack. Although doctors and nurses at the scene tried to resuscitate him, they were unsuccessful. Unitas had suffered a previous heart attack in March 1993, which resulted in an emergency triple-bypass surgery.

He is survived by his wife, Sandra, and his children, John Jr., Kenneth, Robert, Christopher, Joe, Chad, Paige and Janice Ann Unitas-DeNittis. His first wife, Dorothy Jean Unitas, died in May 2002.

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