saw Johnny U play as kid in person
saw Johnny U play as kid in person
in cotton bowl, I used to be him in backyard with bothers and neighborhood gang--QBing drives as middle-man... I would wear black CT hi-tops sometimes, never felt his style hokey, they were just him ...
My fave #19 tale is one i tell my teams every so often ...
avg. College career, he was drafted and cut by Steelers, then went to Bloomfield Rams in minor league football ... a fan wrote Colt coach Weeb Ewbank that their Bloomfield QB was top notch, Weeb took a flier and invited Johnny to camp ...
Johnny U trots on field for early game in rookie year and Gifford looks and him and said, "the guy had rubber bands holding down his oversized uniform sleeves, he was that skinny, we just all laughed at him, but not for long" ....
two years later, Unitas hands off to Ameche and the NFL explodes into a new era of TV money
one of my favorite games came the day Johnny U. and Joe Willie squared off late in Johnny's career... to be honest, I cant recall who even won (which as I type here makes me smile b/c it once again proves it's people we remember, not always the results), but i believe they set the NFL record at the time for most combined passing yards ...
When I was maybe 11, watching a Colt game on TV, I saw this sign in the stands of Baltimore's Memorial Stadium, reading, "Fly the friendly skies of Unitas."
all these years later, I still recall that sign, his magnificent presence, his old school grit and class .... The guy looked like he couldnt play a lick, but named best QB in NFL's first 50 years, I would say is proof he could
a sad day, for sure ...
this last summer I bought his 1957 rookie football card for a song... boy, I'm glad I did
god bless you, Johnny U
you made me happy as a kid, you played the game the way I wish all kids and pros did in every sport today
peace to you,
gregg
