Editing Johnny Unitas (section)

==Professional career==

===Pittsburgh Steelers===
After his collegiate career, the [[Pittsburgh Steelers]] of the NFL drafted Unitas in the ninth round. However, he was released before the season began as the odd man out among four quarterbacks trying to fill three spots. Steelers' head coach [[Walt Kiesling]] had made up his mind about Unitas; he thought he was not smart enough to quarterback an NFL team,<ref>Dan Rooney: My 75 years with the Pittsburgh Steelers and the NFL, {{ISBN|0-306-81569-9}}; p. 62.</ref> and he was not given any snaps in practice with the Steelers. Among those edging out Unitas was [[Ted Marchibroda]], whom Unitas lost to in his first college game years earlier, future longtime NFL head coach. Out of pro football, Unitas—by this time married—worked in construction in Pittsburgh to support his family.<ref>MacCambridge, 2005 pg. 124</ref> On the weekends, he played quarterback, safety and punter on a local [[semi-professional]] team called the [[Bloomfield (Pittsburgh)|Bloomfield]] Rams for $6 a game.<ref>Cavanaugh, 2008 pg. 166</ref>

===Baltimore Colts===
In 1956, Unitas joined the [[History of the Baltimore Colts|Baltimore Colts]] of the NFL under legendary coach [[Weeb Ewbank]], after being asked at the last minute to join Bloomfield Rams lineman Jim Deglau, a Croatian steelworker with a life much like Unitas, at the latter's scheduled Colts tryout. The pair borrowed money from friends to pay for the gas to make the trip. Deglau later told a reporter after Unitas's death, "[His] uncle told him not to come. [He] was worried that if he came down and the Colts passed on him, it would look bad (to other NFL teams)."<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.dailypress.com/news/bal-sp.unitas20oct20,0,3496272.story?page=7&coll=dp-breaking-news|title=Youngster's drive couldn't be sacked|publisher=dailypress.com|date=October 20, 2002|access-date=August 5, 2009|archive-date=February 23, 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100223224230/http://www.dailypress.com/news/bal-sp.unitas20oct20,0,3496272.story?page=7&coll=dp-breaking-news|url-status=dead}}</ref> The Colts signed Unitas, much to the chagrin of the [[Cleveland Browns]], who had hoped to claim the former Steeler quarterback.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.pittsburgpost-gazette.com/sports/columnists/20020917webfinder0917p1.asp|title=Unitas set the QB gold standard|publisher=Pittsburgpost-gazette.com|date=September 17, 2002|access-date=August 5, 2009|archive-date=December 21, 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081221015426/http://www.pittsburgpost-gazette.com/sports/columnists/20020917webfinder0917p1.asp|url-status=dead}}</ref>

Unitas made his NFL debut with an inauspicious "mop-up" appearance against Detroit, going 0–2 with one interception.<ref>{{Cite web |date=October 21, 2006 |title=Unitas' first pass wasn't a Bears' TD |url=http://www.baltimoresun.com/sports/bal-sp.unitas21oct21,0,16118.story |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131105015833/http://www.baltimoresun.com/sports/bal-sp.unitas21oct21,0,16118.story |archive-date=November 5, 2013 |access-date=March 18, 2013 |website=Baltimore Sun}}</ref> Two weeks later, starting quarterback [[George Shaw (American football)|George Shaw]] suffered a broken leg against the [[Chicago Bears]]. In his first serious action, Unitas's initial pass was intercepted and returned for a touchdown. Then he botched a hand-off on his next play, resulting in a fumble recovered by the Bears. Unitas rebounded quickly from that 58–27 loss, leading the Colts to an upset of [[Green Bay Packers|Green Bay]] and their first win over Cleveland. He threw nine touchdown passes that year, including one in the season finale that started his record 47-game streak. His 55.6-percent completion mark was a rookie record.

In 1957, his first season as the Colts full-time starter at quarterback, Unitas finished first in the NFL in passing yards (2,550) and touchdown passes (24) as he helped lead the Colts to a 7–5 record, the first winning record in franchise history. At season's end, Unitas received the [[Jim Thorpe Trophy]] as the [[NFL MVP|NFL's Most Valuable Player]] by the [[Newspaper Enterprise Association]] (NEA).

====1958: "The Greatest Game Ever Played"====
Unitas continued his prowess in 1958 passing for 2,007 yards and 19 touchdowns as the Colts won the Western Conference title. The Colts won the [[NFL championship]] under his leadership on December 28, 1958, by defeating the [[New York Giants]] 23–17 in [[sudden death (sport)|sudden death]] overtime on a touchdown by fullback [[Alan Ameche]]. It was the first overtime game in NFL history, and is often referred to as the "[[1958 NFL Championship Game|greatest game ever played]]". The game, nationally televised by [[NBC]], has been credited for sparking the rise in popularity of professional football during the 1960s.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Gregory|first1=Sean|title=The Football Game that Changed It All|url=https://content.time.com/time/specials/packages/article/0,28804,1868793_1868792_1868802,00.html|access-date=January 18, 2017|magazine=Time|date=December 29, 2008|archive-date=September 27, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210927135412/http://content.time.com/time/specials/packages/article/0,28804,1868793_1868792_1868802,00.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

====1959 MVP season====
In 1959, Unitas was named the NFL's MVP by the [[Associated Press]] (AP) for the first time,{{efn|Contemporary sources and [[Pro-Football-Reference.com]] recognize Unitas as the 1959 AP MVP,<ref>{{cite news|title=Unitas Named Player Of Year In Pro Football|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1817&dat=19591223&id=Fh8fAAAAIBAJ&pg=6203,3662328|access-date=January 9, 2017|work=The Tuscaloosa News|agency=Associated Press|date=December 24, 1959|page=10|archive-date=July 15, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210715031303/https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1817&dat=19591223&id=Fh8fAAAAIBAJ&pg=6203,3662328|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=AP NFL Most Valuable Player Winners|url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/awards/ap-nfl-mvp-award.htm|website=Pro-Football-Reference.com|publisher=Sports Reference|access-date=June 20, 2016|archive-date=June 10, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160610022530/http://www.pro-football-reference.com/awards/ap-nfl-mvp-award.htm|url-status=live}}</ref> while others, including the ''2015 Official NFL Record and Fact Book'', list [[Charlie Conerly]] as winning the award.<ref>{{cite book|title=2015 Official NFL Record and Fact Book|date=2015|publisher=National Football League|page=524|url=https://nflcommunications.com/Documents/2015%20NFL%20Record%20and%20Fact%20Book.pdf|access-date=August 1, 2016|editor1-last=Lee|editor1-first=Brenden|editor2-last=Gellerman|editor2-first=Jacob|editor3-last=King|editor3-first=Robert|archive-date=October 1, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151001192546/http://www.nfl.com/static/content/public/photo/2015/07/21/0ap3000000502939.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=National Football League MVPs By The Associated Press|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1891&dat=19910108&id=5akfAAAAIBAJ&pg=2653,730199|access-date=January 9, 2017|work=Gadsden Times|agency=Associated Press|date=January 8, 1991|page=B2|archive-date=March 26, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230326091501/https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1891&dat=19910108&id=5akfAAAAIBAJ&pg=2653,730199|url-status=live}}</ref>}} as well as [[United Press International]]'s player of the year, after leading the NFL in passing yards (2,899), touchdown passes (32), and completions (193). He then led the Colts to a repeat championship, sparking a fourth quarter comeback to beat the Giants again 31–16 in the title game.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Sell|first1=Jack|title=Colts Destroy Giants for Pro Crown, 31–16|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=A39IAAAAIBAJ&pg=7340%2C4704915|access-date=January 17, 2017|work=Pittsburgh Post-Gazette|date=December 28, 1959|page=20|archive-date=April 15, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230415121250/https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=A39IAAAAIBAJ&pg=7340,4704915|url-status=live}}</ref>

With the Colts fresh off back-to-back championships, Unitas was lauded by rookie head coach of the [[Green Bay Packers]], [[Vince Lombardi]], who said of the 26-year-old signal caller: "Without him, they're just ordinary. With him, they're great. He's the best quarterback I've ever seen."<ref>Murray Olderman, "Johnny Unitas Makes the Colts Click," ''Pro All Stars 1960 Pro Football.'' New York: Maco Magazine Corporation, 1960; p. 9.</ref>

====Beginning of the 1960s====
As the 1960s began, the Colts' fortunes (and win totals) declined. Injuries to key players such as [[Alan Ameche]], [[Raymond Berry]], and [[Lenny Moore]] were a contributing factor.<ref name="sportsecyclopedia.com">{{Cite news|url=https://sportsecyclopedia.com/nfl/balticolts/baltcolts.html|title=Baltimore Colts – Sports Ecyclopedia|newspaper=Sports Ecyclopedia|access-date=February 24, 2021|archive-date=May 24, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240524040455/https://www.sportingpost.com/team-history/nfl/baltimore-colts/|url-status=live}}</ref> Unitas's streak of 47 straight games with at least one touchdown pass ended against the [[Los Angeles Rams]] in week 11 of the 1960 season.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.profootballresearchers.org/Coffin_Corner/20-03-754.pdf|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20101005231147/http://profootballresearchers.org/Coffin_Corner/20-03-754.pdf|url-status=dead|title=profootballresearchers.org|archivedate=October 5, 2010}}</ref> In spite of this, he topped the 3,000-yard passing mark for the first time and led the league in touchdown passes for the fourth consecutive season.

After three middle-of-the-pack seasons, Colts owner [[Carroll Rosenbloom]] fired Weeb Ewbank and replaced him with [[Don Shula]], who at the time was the youngest head coach in NFL history (33 years of age when he was hired).<ref>{{Cite web |last=Klingaman |first=Mike |date=December 27, 2022 |title=In 1962, the Colts suffered one of the most lopsided losses in NFL history. But there was a silver lining. |url=https://www.baltimoresun.com/2022/12/27/in-1962-the-colts-suffered-one-of-the-most-lopsided-losses-in-nfl-history-but-there-was-a-silver-lining/ |access-date=November 7, 2024 |website=Baltimore Sun}}</ref> The Colts finished 8–6 in Shula's first season at the helm, good enough for only third place in the NFL's Western Conference, but they did end the season on a strong note by winning their final three games.<ref name="sportsecyclopedia.com"/> The season was very successful for Unitas personally, as he led the NFL in passing yards with a career-best total of 3,481 and also led in completions with 237.

====1964 MVP season====
In the [[1964 Baltimore Colts season|1964 season]] the Colts returned to the top of the Western Conference. After dropping their season opener to the [[1964 Minnesota Vikings season|Minnesota Vikings]], the Colts ran off 10 straight victories to finish with a 12–2 record. The season was one of Unitas's best as he finished with 2,824 yards passing, a league-best 9.26 yards per pass attempt, 19 touchdown passes and only 6 interceptions. He was named the NFL's Most Valuable Player by the AP and UPI for a second time. However, the season ended on a disappointing note for the Colts, as they were upset by the Cleveland Browns in the [[1964 NFL Championship Game]], losing 27–0.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Lamers |first=Ben |date=March 26, 2015 |title=Throwback Thursday: John Unitas' 1964 Season |url=https://www.stampedeblue.com/2015/3/26/8295229/throwback-thursday-john-unitas-1964-season |access-date=November 7, 2024 |website=Stampede Blue}}</ref>

Unitas resumed his torrid passing in 1965, throwing for 2,530 yards, 23 touchdowns and finishing with a league-high and career-best 97.1 passer rating. But he was lost for the balance of the season due to a knee injury in a week 12 loss to the Bears. Backup quarterback [[Gary Cuozzo]] also suffered a season-ending injury the following week, and running back [[Tom Matte]] filled in as the emergency quarterback for the regular season finale and in a playoff loss to the Packers. The Colts and Packers finished in a tie for first place in the Western Conference, and a one-game [[1965 NFL playoffs|playoff]] was played in Green Bay to decide who would be the conference representative in the [[1965 NFL Championship Game]]. The Colts lost in overtime 13–10 due in large part to a game-tying field goal by [[Don Chandler]] that many, including Colts hall of fame coach Don Shula and Chandler himself years later, say was incorrectly ruled good.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Steadman |first=John |date=November 3, 1996 |title=Chandler's admission helps take sting out of 31-year-old bad call |url=https://www.baltimoresun.com/1996/11/03/chandlers-admission-helps-take-sting-out-of-31-year-old-bad-call/ |access-date=October 11, 2024 |website=Baltimore Sun}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Colts-Packers Playoff Remains Etched In Lore |url=https://www.packers.com/news/colts-packers-playoff-remains-etched-in-lore-2472744 |access-date=October 11, 2024 |website=www.packers.com}}</ref>

Unitas, healthy once more, threw for 2,748 yards and 22 touchdowns in 1966 in a return to [[Pro Bowl]] form. However, he posted a league-high 24 interceptions.<ref>{{Cite web |title=1966 NFL Passing |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/years/1966/passing.htm |access-date=May 24, 2024 |website=Pro-Football-Reference.com}}</ref>

====1967 MVP season====
[[File:JohnnyUnitasSignAutograph1964.jpg|thumb|240px|Unitas signing an autograph in 1964]]
After once again finishing second in the Western Conference in 1966, the Colts rebounded to finish 11–1–2 in 1967 tying the Los Angeles Rams for the NFL's best record. In winning his third MVP award from the AP and UPI in 1967 (and his second from the NEA), Unitas had a league-high 58.5 completion percentage and passed for 3,428 yards and 20 touchdowns.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/classic/biography/s/Unitas_Johnny.html|work=ESPN Classic|title=Unitas surprised them all|publisher=Espn.go.com|access-date=August 5, 2009|archive-date=October 4, 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091004205005/http://espn.go.com/classic/biography/s/Unitas_Johnny.html|url-status=live}}</ref> He openly complained about having [[tennis elbow]]<ref name="SI-Maule">{{cite magazine |last=Maule |first=Tex |url=https://vault.si.com/vault/1967/10/02/its-johnny-u-again |magazine=[[Sports Illustrated]] |title=It's Johnny U. Again |date=October 2, 1967 |access-date=May 23, 2024 |archive-date=May 24, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240524040520/https://vault.si.com/vault/1967/10/02/its-johnny-u-again |url-status=live }}</ref> and he threw eight interceptions and only three touchdown passes in the final five games. Once again, the season ended in loss for the Colts, as they were shut out of the newly instituted four-team NFL playoff after losing the divisional tiebreaker to the Rams, a 34–10 rout in the regular season finale.

====Super Bowls and final Colt years====
In the final game of the 1968 preseason, the muscles in Unitas's arm were torn when he was hit by a member of the Dallas Cowboys defense. Unitas wrote in his autobiography that he felt his arm was initially injured by the use of the "night ball" that the NFL was testing for better TV visibility during night games. In a post-game interview the previous year, he noted having constant pain in his elbow for several years prior.<ref name="SI-Maule" /> He would spend most of the season sitting on the bench. The Colts still marched to a league-best 13–1 record behind backup quarterback and ultimate 1968 NFL MVP [[Earl Morrall]]. Although he was injured through most of the season, Unitas came off the bench to play in [[Super Bowl III]], the famous game where [[Joe Namath]] guaranteed a [[New York Jets]] win despite conventional wisdom. Unitas's insertion was a desperation move in an attempt to retrieve dominance of the NFL over the upstart [[American Football League|AFL]]. Although the Colts won an [[1968 NFL Championship Game|NFL Championship in 1968]], they lost the Super Bowl to the AFL Champion New York Jets, thus becoming the first-ever NFL champions that were not also deemed world champions. Unitas helped put together the Colts' only score, a touchdown late in the game. Unitas also drove the Colts into scoring position following the touchdown and successful onside kick, but head coach Don Shula eschewed a field goal attempt, which (if successful) would have cut the Jets' lead to 16–10. Despite not playing until late in the third quarter, he still finished the game with more passing yards than the team's starter, Earl Morrall.

After an off-season of rehabilitation on his elbow, Unitas rebounded in 1969, passing for 2,342 yards and 12 touchdowns with 20 interceptions. But the Colts finished with a disappointing 8–5–1 record and missed the playoffs.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/clt/1969.htm|title=1969 Baltimore Colts Statistics & Players|website=Pro-Football-Reference.com|access-date=March 29, 2018|archive-date=October 22, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201022220058/https://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/clt/1969.htm|url-status=live}}</ref>

In 1970, the NFL and AFL had merged into one league, and the Colts moved to the new [[American Football Conference]], along with the [[Cleveland Browns]] and the [[Pittsburgh Steelers]]. He threw for 2,213 yards and 14 touchdowns while leading the Colts to an 11–2–1 season. In their first rematch with the Jets, Unitas and Namath threw a combined nine interceptions in a 29–22 Colts win. Namath threw 62 passes and broke his hand on the final play of the game, ending his season.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/clt/1970.htm|title=1970 Baltimore Colts Statistics & Players|website=Pro-Football-Reference.com|access-date=March 29, 2018|archive-date=September 29, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130929182347/http://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/clt/1970.htm|url-status=live}}</ref>

Unitas threw for 390 yards, three touchdowns, and no interceptions in AFC playoff victories over the Cincinnati Bengals and the Oakland Raiders.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/U/UnitJo00.htm|title=Johnny Unitas Playoffs Game Log|website=Pro-Football-Reference.com|access-date=March 29, 2018|archive-date=November 15, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131115031638/http://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/U/UnitJo00.htm|url-status=live}}</ref> In [[Super Bowl V]] against the [[Dallas Cowboys]], he was knocked out of the game with a rib injury in the second quarter, soon after throwing a 75-yard touchdown pass (setting a then-Super Bowl record) to [[John Mackey (American football)|John Mackey]]. However, he had also thrown two interceptions before his departure from the game. [[Earl Morrall]] came in to lead the team to a last-second, 16–13 victory.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/197101170clt.htm|title=Super Bowl V – Dallas Cowboys vs. Baltimore Colts – January 17th, 1971|website=Pro-Football-Reference.com|access-date=March 29, 2018|archive-date=June 12, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180612143301/https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/197101170clt.htm|url-status=live}}</ref>

In 1971, Unitas split playing time with Morrall, throwing only three touchdown passes. He started both playoff games, a win over the Cleveland Browns that sent the Colts to the [[AFC Championship game]] against Don Shula and the [[Miami Dolphins]], which they lost by a score of 21–0. Unitas threw three interceptions in the game, one of which was returned for a touchdown by safety [[Dick Anderson]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Super Bowl V |url=https://www.lines.com/nfl/history-of-super-bowls/V |access-date=November 7, 2024 |website=Lines.com}}</ref>

The 1972 season saw the Colts declining. After losing the season opener, Unitas was involved in the second and final regular season head-to-head meeting with "Broadway" Joe Namath. The first was in 1970 (won by the Colts, 29–22). The last meeting took place on September 24, 1972, at [[Memorial Stadium (Baltimore)|Memorial Stadium]]. He threw for 376 yards and three touchdowns, but Namath upstaged him again, bombing the Colts for 496 yards and six touchdowns in a 44–34 Jets victory – their first over Baltimore since the 1970 merger.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/years/1970/ |title=1970 NFL Standings, Team & Offensive Statistics |website=Pro-Football-Reference.com |access-date=October 11, 2012 |archive-date=May 20, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220520182608/https://www.pro-football-reference.com/years/1970/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/years/1971/ |title=1971 NFL Standings, Team & Offensive Statistics |website=Pro-Football-Reference.com |access-date=October 11, 2012 |archive-date=June 19, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220619205516/https://www.pro-football-reference.com/years/1971/ |url-status=live }}</ref> After losing four of their first five games, the Colts fired head coach Don McCafferty, and benched Unitas.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Stellino |first=Vito |date=July 23, 1991 |title=49ers try to avoid half-baked turnover |url=https://www.baltimoresun.com/1991/07/23/49ers-try-to-avoid-half-baked-turnover/ |access-date=November 7, 2024 |website=Baltimore Sun}}</ref>

One of the more memorable moments in football history came on Unitas's last game in a Colts uniform at Memorial Stadium, in a game against the [[Buffalo Bills]]. He was not the starter for this game, but the Colts were blowing the Bills out by a score of 28–0 behind [[Marty Domres]]; Unitas entered the game due to the fans chanting, "We want Unitas!!!", and a plan devised by head coach [[John Sandusky]] to convince Unitas that the starting quarterback was injured. Unitas came onto the field and threw two passes, one of which was a long touchdown to wide receiver [[Eddie Hinton (American football)|Eddie Hinton]] which would be his last pass as a Colt. The Colts won the game by a score of 35–7. A small plane flew over the stadium trailing a banner that read, “Unitas We Stand”.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Sun |first=Baltimore |date=September 29, 1991 |title=MEMORIAL STADIUM: OUR COLTS |url=https://www.baltimoresun.com/1991/09/29/memorial-stadium-our-colts/ |access-date=November 7, 2024 |website=Baltimore Sun}}</ref>

===San Diego===
Unitas was traded from the Colts to the [[History of the San Diego Chargers|San Diego Chargers]] on January 20, 1973, in a transaction that originally had future considerations returning to Baltimore. The deal's only obstacle was the personal services contract he had signed with the Colts in 1970 which would have kept him employed within the organization on an annual salary of $30,000 over ten years once his career as an active player ended. The pact had been signed when the ballclub was owned by [[Carroll Rosenbloom]] who subsequently acquired the [[Los Angeles Rams]] on July 13, 1972, in a franchise swap with [[Robert Irsay]]. The deal was completed when the Chargers purchased that contract. Eager to sever all ties with the Colts, Unitas signed a new two-year contract with the Chargers on June 8, 1973. He succeeded [[John Hadl]] who had requested and was granted a trade to the Rams.<ref>{{cite news| url= https://www.nytimes.com/1973/01/23/archives/unitas-is-traded-to-chargers-but-says-he-may-not-report-unitas-is.html| last= Wallace| first= William N.| title= Unitas Is Traded to Chargers, But Says He May Not Report| work= The New York Times| date= January 23, 1973| access-date= November 3, 2020| archive-date= November 11, 2020| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20201111193038/https://www.nytimes.com/1973/01/23/archives/unitas-is-traded-to-chargers-but-says-he-may-not-report-unitas-is.html| url-status= live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news| url= https://www.nytimes.com/1973/06/09/archives/gabriel-is-traded-to-eagles-by-rams-unitas-signs-pact-chargers-sign.html| title= Gabriel Is Traded To Eagles by Rams; Unitas Signs Pact| work= The New York Times| date= June 9, 1973| access-date= November 3, 2020| archive-date= April 15, 2023| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20230415121252/https://www.nytimes.com/1973/06/09/archives/gabriel-is-traded-to-eagles-by-rams-unitas-signs-pact-chargers-sign.html| url-status= live}}</ref>

Unitas started the season with a 38–0 loss to the [[Washington Redskins]]. He threw for just 55 yards and three interceptions and was sacked five times.<ref>{{Cite web |title=San Diego Chargers at Washington Redskins - September 16th, 1973 |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/197309160was.htm |access-date=October 7, 2024 |website=Pro-Football-Reference.com}}</ref> His final victory as a starter came against the [[Buffalo Bills]] in Week 2. Unitas was 10–18 for 175 yards, two touchdown passes, and no interceptions in a 34–7 Chargers rout.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/197309230sdg.htm |title=Box Score, Buffalo Bills at San Diego Chargers, September 23, 1973 |work=Pro-Football-Reference.com |access-date=March 29, 2018 |archive-date=October 18, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181018003018/https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/197309230sdg.htm |url-status=live }}</ref>

Unitas threw two first-half interceptions, passed for only 19 yards, and went 2-for-9 against the [[Pittsburgh Steelers]]. He was then replaced by rookie quarterback and future [[Pro Football Hall of Fame|Hall of Famer]] [[Dan Fouts]]. After posting a 1–3 record as a starter, Unitas retired in the preseason of 1974.

===Records and accomplishments===
Unitas won three NFL championships (1958, 1959, 1970), and three MVP awards (1959, 1964, 1967). He was first-team All Pro five times (1958, 1959, 1964, 1965, 1967), and second team All-Pro three times (1957, 1960, 1963). He was also chosen for ten Pro Bowls (1957—1964, 1966, 1967). He was the league's passing yards leader four times (1957, 1959, 1960, 1963), led the NFL in touchdown passes four times (1957–1960) and led the NFL in passer rating twice (1958, 1965).<ref name=":5">{{Cite web |title=Johnny Unitas {{!}} Pro Football Hall of Fame |url=https://www.profootballhof.com/players/johnny-unitas/ |access-date=November 6, 2024 |website=pfhof}}</ref>

Unitas led the NFL in fourth quarter comebacks six times (1958, 1961, 1962, 1965, 1967,<ref name=":6">{{Cite web |last=Michael |first=Ryan |title=50 years since Unitas' last pass: Some things you might not know about No. 19 |url=https://www.profootballhof.com/news/2023/11/50-years-since-unitas%E2%80%99-last-pass-some-things-you-might-not-know-about-%C2%A0no-19/ |access-date=November 6, 2024 |website=pfhof}}</ref> and 1970),<ref name=":10">{{Cite web |title=NFL Fourth Quarter Comebacks Year-by-Year Leaders (since 1950) |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/leaders/comebacks_year_by_year.htm |access-date=November 7, 2024 |website=Pro-Football-Reference.com}}</ref> more than any other quarterback.<ref name=":10" /> He is credited with laying the foundation for the two-minute drill.<ref name=":6" />

His 32 touchdown passes in 1959 were a record at the time, making Unitas the first quarterback to hit the 30 touchdown mark in a season.<ref name=":6" /> Early in his career he broke the single season records for completion percentage by a rookie (1956), total passing yards (1960), total completions (1963), and yards per passing attempt (1964).<ref name=":6" /> His 47-game consecutive touchdown streak between 1956 and 1960 was a record considered by many to be unbreakable.<ref>{{cite news |last=Godzinevski |first=Boris |title=The Greatest Individual Streaks in Sport |url=http://bleacherreport.com/articles/333799-the-greatest-individual-streaks-in-sport#/articles/333799-the-greatest-individual-streaks-in-sport/page/11 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141218192140/http://bleacherreport.com/articles/333799-the-greatest-individual-streaks-in-sport#/articles/333799-the-greatest-individual-streaks-in-sport/page/11 |archive-date=December 18, 2014 |access-date=August 1, 2013 |website=[[Bleacher Report]]}}</ref> He led the league in touchdown passes from 1957 to 1960.<ref name=":5" /> The streak stood for 52 years before being broken by [[New Orleans Saints]] quarterback [[Drew Brees]] in a game against the San Diego Chargers on October 7, 2012.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Rovell |first=Darren |author-link=Darren Rovell |date=October 7, 2012 |title=Drew Brees breaks Unitas' mark |url=https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/8476259/drew-brees-breaks-johnny-unitas-record-consecutive-games-td-pass-front-suspended-coach-sean-payton |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121008022854/http://espn.go.com/nfl/story/_/id/8476259/drew-brees-breaks-johnny-unitas-record-consecutive-games-td-pass-front-suspended-coach-sean-payton |archive-date=October 8, 2012 |access-date=July 10, 2012 |website=ESPN.com |agency=Associated Press}}</ref>

Unitas finished his 18 NFL seasons with 2,830 completions in 5,186 attempts for 40,239 yards and 290 touchdowns, with 253 interceptions.<ref name=":6" /> He also rushed for 1,777 yards and 13 touchdowns. Plagued by arm trouble in his later seasons, he threw more interceptions (64) than touchdowns (38) in 1968–1973. After averaging 215.8 yards per game in his first 12 seasons, his production fell to 124.4 in his final six. His [[passer rating]] plummeted from 82.9 to 60.4 for the same periods. Even so, Unitas set many passing records during his career. He was the first quarterback to throw for more than 40,000 yards,<ref name=":5" /> despite playing during an era when NFL teams played shorter seasons of 12 or 14 games (as opposed to today's 17-game seasons) and prior to modern passing-friendly rules implemented in 1978.<ref name=":3">{{cite web|url=http://www.coldhardfootballfacts.com/content/dead-ball-era-career-passer-rating-leaders/6535/|title=Dead Ball Era career passer rating leaders| website= coldhardfootballfacts.com| url-status=dead |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20130914013530/http://www.coldhardfootballfacts.com/content/dead-ball-era-career-passer-rating-leaders/6535/|archive-date=September 14, 2013}}</ref>

Unitas was selected to the [[NFL 1960s All-Decade Team|NFL’s All-Decade Team of the 1960s]], the NFL’s 50th Anniversary Team,<ref>{{Cite news |date=September 7, 1969 |title=Unitas QBs NFL Team |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-tampa-tribune-nfl-50th-anniversary-t/48315094/ |work=Tampa Tribune |pages=34}}</ref> the NFL's 75th Anniversary Team and the NFL 100th Anniversary All-Time Team.<ref name=":5" /> He was selected Player of the Decade for the 1960s, and named "Greatest Player in the First 50 Years of Pro Football".<ref name=":16">{{Cite web |title=ESPN Classic - Unitas dies of heart attack at 69 |url=https://www.espn.com/classic/obit/s/2002/0911/1430557.html |access-date=November 7, 2024 |website=www.espn.com}}</ref>