Johnny Unitas: America's Quarterback - Hardcover

Sahadi, Lou

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 1572436107 ISBN 13: 9781572436107

Publisher: Triumph Books, 2004

Synopsis

Offering an in-depth look into the private life behind one of the most important athletes of the 20th century, this comprehensive biography of Johnny Unitas explores the man who made the quarterback position the crux of a football team's offense and was an icon to millions of fans across the country. From his upbringing near the Monongahela River and becoming the “Golden Arm” to his retirement and battle with numerous physical ailments, this book reveals how he was affected by his boss's bets that were as much as $1 million per game and his livid anger at Colts management over his trade to Chargers. It also includes more than 15,000 words of never-before-published commentary directly from Unitas himself about his career, fame, moments of great personal pride, and others he'd rather forget.

About this title

About the Author

Lou Sahadi began his second career as one of the country's most prolific sports authors after being a newspaper and magazine writer and editor for more than two decades, including two years as a columnist for the Miami Herald. He is the author of bestselling official autobiographies with Willie Mays, Don Shula, Hank Stram, and Len Dawson. He lives in Boca Raton, Florida. Art Donovan is a former defensive tackle who played for three NFL teams, most notably the Baltimore Colts. He was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1968. Peyton Manning is the quarterback for the Indianapolis Colts. He holds the record for most NFL MVP awards with four.

From the Inside Flap

Sports Illustrated triumphantly hailed Johnny Unitas as "The Greatest There Ever Was." And the incomparable Baltimore Colts quarterback was certainly just that, as evidenced by the accolades that poured in from all over the country upon his death on September 11, 2002 two years after he was selected as the quarterback of the All-Time NFL Team by the Hall of Fame selection committee.

Unitas virtually ushered the National Football League into the American consciousness, laying the groundwork for the tremendous global success it enjoys today. In an age when defenses were allowed to run wild and unrestrained, he was the picture of fearlessness. In fact, no other quarterback before or since struck as much fear into the hearts of defenders, as he would courageously stand in the pocket and methodically pick teams apart with his golden arm and unshakeable demeanor.

There has never been a complete biography of this fascinating icon until now. Johnny Unitas: America s Quarterback is the ultimate biography by an author who walked the streets the great quarterback grew up on, interviewed scores of people who knew him intimately including family, friends, and colleagues both inside and outside the NFL and produced a comprehensive and authoritative picture of an American legend. The book is also unique in including a never-before-published interview with Unitas himself, an unusual treasure given his reserved nature and reluctance to be in the spotlight.

Johnny Unitas poignantly chronicles John Constantine Unitas unlikely path from the Pennsylvania coal mines to NFL superstardom. It eloquently tells the inspirational story of an undersized and overlooked long shot that paid off. Nothing was ever handed to young John Unitas, and he had to work particularly hard for every chance he ever got in life. But he did more than make the most of his chances, and by the time he was leading the Baltimore Colts to multiple NFL championships, he had earned heroic stature for both his athletic abilities and leadership qualities.

As a quarterback, Johnny Unitas was a true American idol the likes of which we have not seen since. As a man, he was a respectful, private person who captured a nation s imagination. Johnny Unitas is the first book to accurately examine both characters: the quarterback and the man.

Reviews

Anyone who saw Unitas play quarterback in his salad days--an era when quarterbacks called their own plays, and "roughing the passer" was the goal of the defense rather than grounds for a 15-yard penalty--uses him as the benchmark by which all other quarterbacks are judged. Veteran sports journalist Sahadi combines game accounts and interviews with teammates and coaches to tell Unitas' story, which makes ideal fodder for the daydreams of aspiring athletes: skinny kid gets cut by the Pittsburgh Steelers, plays semipro ball for a year, gets a second chance with the Baltimore Colts, and rides to the rescue--and immortality--when the starter gets hurt. He also recounts Unitas' last years, when surgery left his formerly golden right arm virtually useless and the National Football League turned its back on his medical issues. Pro-football fans of a certain age will relish every word of this biography, which asks us to celebrate a skinny kid who threw touchdown passes in 47 straight games and will always be known as America's quarterback. Wes Lukowsky
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

Edition details

• Publisher: Triumph Books
• Publication date: 2004
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 1572436107
• ISBN 13: 9781572436107
• Binding: Hardcover
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 352