Johnny Unitas, often referred to as “Johnny U” or the “Golden Arm,” is one of the most iconic quarterbacks in NFL history. His career, spanning 18 seasons from 1956 to 1973, primarily with the Baltimore Colts, left a lasting legacy in the world of American football. Renowned for his leadership, and incredible passing ability, Unitas set numerous records and helped revolutionize the position of quarterback. Below is an in-depth look at his career, featuring comprehensive tables covering key stats.
Table of Contents
Johnny Unitas NFL Stats
Category
Stat
Years Active
1956-1973
Teams
Baltimore Colts, San Diego Chargers
Position
Quarterback
NFL Championships
3 (1958, 1959, 1968)
Super Bowl
1 (Super Bowl V)
NFL MVP Awards
3 (1959, 1964, 1967)
Pro Bowls
10
Hall of Fame Induction
1979
Passing Stats by Season
Season
Team
Games Played
Completions
Attempts
Completion %
Yards
Touchdowns
Interceptions
Passer Rating
1956
Baltimore Colts
12
55
127
43.3%
913
3
9
49.6
1957
Baltimore Colts
12
172
287
59.9%
2,550
24
17
88.0
1958
Baltimore Colts
12
160
275
58.2%
2,007
19
10
83.9
1959
Baltimore Colts
12
193
367
52.6%
2,899
32
14
90.3
1960
Baltimore Colts
12
229
414
55.3%
3,099
25
24
82.1
1961
Baltimore Colts
14
243
451
53.9%
3,481
28
24
85.6
1962
Baltimore Colts
13
230
412
55.8%
3,097
25
22
87.7
1963
Baltimore Colts
12
190
334
56.9%
2,548
22
11
93.8
1964
Baltimore Colts
14
264
402
65.7%
2,824
19
6
95.2
1965
Baltimore Colts
13
183
333
55.0%
2,314
18
14
87.2
1966
Baltimore Colts
14
217
402
54.0%
2,748
24
20
84.5
1967
Baltimore Colts
14
273
451
60.5%
3,428
20
16
89.2
1968
Baltimore Colts
9
94
185
50.8%
1,117
3
9
58.5
1969
Baltimore Colts
13
208
346
60.1%
2,342
12
20
72.0
1970
Baltimore Colts
14
169
294
57.5%
2,213
14
18
76.0
1971
Baltimore Colts
14
160
265
60.4%
1,930
8
7
83.4
1972
Baltimore Colts
5
34
76
44.7%
471
3
7
46.5
1973
San Diego Chargers
5
34
76
44.7%
471
3
7
46.5
Career Totals
Category
Stat
Games Played
211
Completions
2,830
Attempts
5,186
Completion %
54.6%
Passing Yards
40,239
Touchdowns
290
Interceptions
253
Passer Rating
78.2
Johnny Unitas NFL Postseason Stats
Season
Games Played
Completions
Attempts
Yards
Touchdowns
Interceptions
1958
2
33
54
448
3
3
1959
1
18
29
264
2
1
1964
1
12
26
95
0
2
1968
2
25
45
312
3
2
1970
2
21
35
305
2
1
Total
8
109
189
1,424
10
9
Awards and Achievements
Year
Award
1959
NFL MVP
1964
NFL MVP
1967
NFL MVP
1979
Pro Football Hall of Fame Induction
Key NFL Records Held by Johnny Unitas
Most Consecutive Games with a Touchdown Pass: 47 games (1956-1960), a record that stood for over 50 years.
Oldest Quarterback to Win a Super Bowl: 37 years old (Super Bowl V).
Johnny Unitas’ NFL career stats speak to his excellence on the field, but his influence on the game of football goes beyond numbers. He is widely regarded as one of the pioneers who transformed the quarterback position, making it one of the most important and demanding roles in the NFL. His ability to lead his team in high-pressure moments, such as the famous “Greatest Game Ever Played” in 1958, cements his place as one of the all-time greats in NFL history.
Unitas’ legacy lives on in the way modern quarterbacks approach the game, and he remains a beloved figure in Baltimore and beyond. His records, especially his streak of consecutive games with a touchdown pass, stood for decades and remain a benchmark for aspiring quarterbacks.
