Editing Johnny Unitas (section)

===Rule changes and statistical differences===
Unitas played his entire career in what is sometimes called the "dead ball" era, before the 1978 NFL rule changes made to favor passing offense. The two key rules being the "[[Mel Blount Rule]]" limiting the amount of physical play a defender can use against a receiver, and the rule allowing offensive lineman to extend and grab while blocking instead of keeping their fists closed.<ref>{{Cite web |last=WENDLANT |first=MIKE |title=Three rules that changed the way the NFL is played |url=https://timesdelphic.com/13851/sports/three-rules-that-changed-the-way-the-nfl-is-played/ |access-date=November 6, 2024 |website=The Times-Delphic}}</ref> The top four hall of fame quarterback ratings from the dead ball era are [[Sonny Jurgensen|Sonny Jurgenson]] (82.62), [[Len Dawson]] (82.56), [[Bart Starr]] (80.47), and Unitas (78.2).<ref name=":3" /> There are 34 modern quarterbacks with ratings higher than Jurgenson, with thirteen above a 90 rating.<ref>{{Cite web |title=All-Time Passer Rating {{!}} Pro Football Hall of Fame |url=https://www.profootballhof.com/all-time-passer-rating/ |access-date=November 6, 2024 |website=pfhof}}</ref> Thus, it has been said that the records from the two eras cannot be fairly compared.<ref name=":3" />