Unitas, Johnny

Unitas, (John Constantine) Johnny

(1933–  ) football player; born in Pittsburgh, Pa. The Pittsburgh Steelers cut the former University of Louisville quarterback in their 1955 training camp, but he signed with the Baltimore Colts in 1956 and led them to National Football League championships in 1958 and 1959. An exceptional leader and passer who thrived on pressure, he threw at least one touchdown pass in 47 consecutive games. Often all-pro, he passed for 40,239 yards in 19 seasons.

The Cambridge Dictionary of American Biography, by John S. Bowman. Copyright © Cambridge University Press 1995. Reproduced with permission.