Tag: Johnny Unitas

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.

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

1. Most Consecutive Games with a Touchdown Pass: 47 games (1956-1960), a record that stood for over 50 years.
2. Oldest Quarterback to Win a Super Bowl: 37 years old (Super Bowl V).

Also Read: Walter Payton NFL Stats and Records- Seasonal Stats, Career Records, Achievements

Johnny Unitas NFL Legacy

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.