1957 Topps #138 Johnny Unitas GAI 8

Description

Johnny Unitas was the greatest quarterback to play for the Colts during their time in Baltimore.  He played collegiately at Louisville.  He would be a ninth-round selection of the Pittsburgh Steelers in 1955.  He would be the odd man out in the running for the three quarterback slots on the roster.  On a whim he decided to go with a teammate from his semipro team to a tryout with the Baltimore Colt and would be signed in 1956.  He would share quarterback duties in 1956 with George Shaw until Shaw would be injured.  His 1956 season was lackluster. In 1957, he would be the starter and lead the Colts to a 7-5 record and win the Jim Thorpe Trophy as NFL MVP by the NEA.  He would win a total of 3 NFL MVP awards from the Associated Press.  He would lead the Colts to 3 NFL Titles (1958, 1959 and 1968) and Super Bowl V title in 1970.  He would receive NFL Man of the Year in 1970.  He would spend from 1956-1972 with the colts and 1973 with the Chargers.  Retiring during the preseason of 1974.  He would be inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1979.  His career stats are 2,830 completions with 40,239 yards and 290 touchdowns to 253 interceptions.  He had a streak of 47 consecutive games with a touchdown from 1956 to 1960 broken by Drew Brees of the New Orleans Saints in 2012, the streak took 52 years to break. His number 19 has been retired by the Colts and his number 16 has been retired by the University of Louisville.