John Unitas was and will remain the greatest Quarterback of the NFL. He invented the two minute drill and did the most to use passing into what was then a basic running game. He played in an era where the Quarterback was not protected and was just one of the players. He was the field general, he called his own plays and he admitted his mistakes, like a MAN!!! He was clean-cut, believed in working hard and playing hard, as his record shows. The best way to explain Unitas was just before a game and the coach had given his pep talk to the team. He then turned to John Unitas and asked him if he had anything to say. John just said, "talk is cheap, let's play ball." Enuff said!!

Charlie

P.S. I remember seeing John Unitas in action, not just on the web.

Sawed off, bandy legged, dead armed. But as precise a brain as ever stepped on football field. And he could win like few quarterbacks before or since.

He effectively invented the two minute drill, and was as close to unbeatable in the clutch as any QB ever was.

The first great QB. Put the NFL on the map after the 1958 championship overtime victory on live Television against the Highly Rated NY Giants. In the mid-sixties, Unitas was replace by a losser of a QB, that will not be mentioned, and during the 68 Super Bowl 3, Unitas was placed in and nearly lead the Comeback against old Bradway Jow Namethe. Lead many Comebacks, and with the help of offencive co-ordinator Vince Lombardi, Johnny Untis is and will remain the First Great Quater Back

John Unitas as the best in the rough and tumble game of the last 50's. He had no mentor, no trainer no million dollar contract, just a gut level desire to win and win he did. When he was on the field, he was in charge. Every great quarterback that has played since then owes Number 19, a thank you. Even the great Joe Montana (and he is great) when asked if he was the best quarterback of all time, Joe Montana deferred to John Unitas as the best of all time. Mr Baltimore, the best.......

John Unitas created the modern day quarterback position and the style that is still in use today. Imagine just how great he would have been if he could have watched a guy like John Unitas first then lifted weights and had the benfit of modern day coaching at a young age...then John Unitas would have been even so much better that there would be NO ARGUEMENT AS TO WHO WAS THE GREATEST QUARTERBACK OF ALL TIME...Johnny U that's who!!!

He has the perfect image. He'd never be on a sex cruise, today's quarterbacks need to learn from this man. He's a good boy, and he's a all American guy. Perfect all American haircut, and he played the game the right way. He's the kind of boy you'd want your daughter to meet. I don't have kids, but if I had a daughter, I'd want her to meet a all American guy like him.

he is a three star but since his rating is too high i must help get it closer to what he really is.

I dont know what was considered good at the time he played but i hear from people he was great so ill have to agree with them Dan is still the best though :)

After analyzing every conceivable performance measure for NFL quarterbacks, I conclude that Joe Montana, John Elway, and Johnny Unitas are the top 3 of all time - the NFL's QB Triumvirate, the Top Tier of the Elite. When all is said and done, other NFL quarterbacks come close (Graham, Young, Favre, Marino, Starr, Staubach, Bradshaw, Baugh); but Montana, Elway, and Unitas - each in his own incomparable way - are unsurpassed in what they accomplished on the gridiron. Raw statistics are one important measure, but they are not the final arbiter, not the true measure of greatness. Fact is, it's not hard to find other quarterbacks, some not members of the Hall, whose ratings and passing numbers look better than many of the 21 Hall of Fame greats. But who won more Super Bowls and performed as superbly in the big games than Cool Joe? Who won more NFL games, more championships combined (SB, AFC/NFC, divisional), and more comeback victories than the magician Elway? And who was a superior field commander who played the game with more grit and grandeur than the great Johnny U? If we have eyes that can see beyond mere sentimental favoritism, uncontestably we will see that Joe Montana now stands at the pinnacle of the Hall of Fame Elite. Johnny Unitas once stood there, but can we seriously doubt Montana's new reign? As for Elway, we will be hard-pressed to find another Hall of Famer who played the position with more athleticism, competitiveness, power, and endurance. Come on students of the game, let's learn how to interpret the signs of true greatness.

Am I reading these stats correctly? Over 40,000 yards in the 50's and 60's? Unbelievable.

Best QB of all time, set todays benchmark. Remember, he was Mr BALTIMORE Colt, not a redneck Indy Gelding.

If you don't think Unitas is a legend, well then you should just stop acting like you know football. Unitas posted huge stats for the 60s and yes records are always made to be broken. but he was the first man to set the bar high enough for a challenge. a true role-model for upcoming QBs.

Greatest quarterback of the '60's. The only other quarterback of that era who comes close is Bart Starr.

Without question the best QB of his time, the best the COLTS have had until Peyton Manning and a Baltimore legend. Definitely in the top 5 of all time. Where would Terry Bradshaw have ended up if the Steelers would have kept Johnny U??

He was a great QB. But I don't think he'd do as well if he played nowadays.

Did it all and from Pittsburgh to boot.

yeah

When someone mentions grit and determination on the gridiron, Johnny Unitas usually comes first in everyone's mind. Arguably the greatest quarterback ever, Johnny U (along with Joe Montana) was the ultimate field general on the football field. Never was a football player more blessed with a combination of physical abilities and intelligence as Number 19 was. Unitas was what football is all about.

Still holds the record for consecutive games with at least one touchdown pass. And Pittsburgh was DUMB to let him go. He did everything to help the Colts win.

one of the 5 greatest quarterbacks of all time

The first prolific QB in an era where passing was difficult, and a true champion and competetor.

greatest player evr...until a few years down the road when ray-ray takes his spot

AWSOME PLAYER!!

Johnny Unitas on offense and Chuck Bednarik on defense. Enough said.

The greatest quarteback ever. period.A real field general not just a doer.

The best I ever saw. Had a supreme command of the field. Classic rags-to-riches story.

this man simple was largen then life.he ruled the game.

Simply the best ever. He made everyone else around him better. 47 straight games with a TD pass. He invented the 2-minute drill and the west coast offense. Called all his own plays. Was probably the toughest QB to ever play...always played hurt. He held all the passing records until they changed the rules to protect the QB and eliminate holding on WRs. But he still holds a few. Elway, Marino and Montana are great, but they wouldn't have come close to Unitas had they played under the same set of rules.

couldn't hold Elway's jockstrap

What's with this overrated QB. Dan Marino is 10 times better. He played in the 60s. Every one sucked back then. On a list of the top 100 QBs ever. He would rank 60th. TAKE THAT COLTS! BEST QB EVER- Dan Marino

Mr.unitas is the best quarterback to ever play the game. As much as I like Elway, Marino, Montana, etc. if Johnny U. were playing in this pass friendly era, with indoor playing fields, look out! his stats would be off the chart, remember he called all his own plays!!

The greatest quaterback of all time. Played when seasons were only 12 games, and it was much harder to pass than it is now. Had all the major passing records when he retired. His passing rating seems only average now because of rule changes that have made passing easier. Put pro football on the map with his daring play-calling in the 1958 sudden death championship game against the N.Y.Giants. Won 3 M.V.P. awards,and in 2000 was voted as footballs greatest quaterback of all-time,ahead of such stars as Joe Montana and Dan Marino! Was a true leader on the field who called all his own plays. His record of throwing touchdown passes in 47 straight games may never be broken!

He and Marino are the two best QBs. I saw them both and I still don't know who I'd pick.

One of the great athletes of the 20th. century. And, a working man. Johnny U. is the epitome of what a professional athete should stand for. The man is a real "Meansch" (all round great guy!). Still lives and leads a productive life in his adopted home town of Baltimore. Johnny U. is our number one Raven's fan. Long live Johnny U!

His name is synonymous with great football player. Johnny U was the first football player I ever knew by name, as a kid. He lead one of the greatest football teams ever.