"One of the The Unitas family is likely to earn a much more modest sum, an estimated $250,000 each year. Statistics for all 2 Jan Denittis results: 62 yrs. ''He's the guy who put Baltimore on the map. He is most remembered for The Golden Arm. On September 11, 2002 JOHN CONSTANINE UNITAS; beloved husband of Sandra L. Unitas (nee Lemon); devoted father of Janice Ann Unitas-DeNittis, John C. Jr., Robert F., Christopher M., Kenneth. It also has caused considerable bitterness in both of the quarterbacks families and sorrow for friends and former teammates who are saddened to see the Unitas name at the center of such a distasteful public feud. He left a law firm recently after his arrest on charges of insurance fraud. Please see our Contributors and Sources page for data source details. The famed athlete left his estate, including his football memorabilia, to his second wife, Sandra, and the children from their marriage, Francis Joe, Chad Elliotte and Alacia Ann Paige, all of Timonium. I think we are right. Growing up, Unitas had been an underdog, unwanted by almost all college teams before being recruited by Louisville. Named "Greatest Player in the First 50 Years of Pro His son Joe recalled his dad's reputation as a straightforward man, including his traditional pregame speech to his teammates: '"Talk is cheap. The higher your score, the more credibility you have as a member of the site. Unitas-DeNittis and Paige Unitas. John Constantine Johnny Unitas (May 7, 1933- September 11, 2002), nicknamed The Golden Arm and often called Johnny U, was a professional American football player in the 1950s through the 1970s, spending the majority of his career with the Baltimore Colts. final years on the team. "He was the kind of man who would shake the hand of a homeless person and say that it was an honor for him to shake that man's hand," the cardinal said. Rating history(Content is rated 0.00 of 0 vote(s).). He fit the city's image with his hard work and straightforward manner. I would hope what comes out is a prompt resolution that the company gets what it is entitled to get.. Unitas also had difficulties in his family life. '', Unitas had an uncanny ability to find soft spots in an opposing defense, and his coaches with the Colts, first Weeb Ewbank and later Don Shula, relied on his astute play calling. arm or his size, it was what was inside his stomach,'' said Giants They also are seeking Chapter 11 protection for Unitas Management. Christopher Unitas said that when his father died, Sandra Unitas told him she would notify him of plans to inter his fathers ashes so that he and his family could attend. The services were open to the public, and the cathedral, which seats about 2,200, was filled by the time the Mass began. Football.''. We are going to miss you, Johnny U.". They made it work and made it work for both families. Very plain and simply, Johnny Unitas was one of my heroes,'' Ravens senior vice president of football operations Ozzie Newsome said. Unitas owned several businesses that failed, including a restaurant, a bowling alley and an air-freight company. It's also available for basketball, baseball and hockey. Our reasoning for presenting offensive logos. Fortunately, however, the Colts' other backup had opted for law school and Unitas was able to start the next game, when Baltimore beat the Green Bay Packers 28-21. In similar voting in 2000, he again was named the best quarterback. with the Baltimore Colts in an 18-year career, died Sept. 11 at Of Timonium, MD, formerly of Pittsburgh, died on May 18, 2002; beloved mother of Janice Ann Unitas-DeNittis of Baltimore, MD John C. Unitas Jr. & his wife Christine of Baldwin, MD Robert F.. "What made him the greatest quarterback of all time wasn't his The son disputed the accusations by the trustees. Copyright 2023 The Washington Times, LLC. "It takes so little to make someone smile," he told her. 100% are in their 60s, while the average age is 63. Nearly inseparable, Michele held his hand throughout his journey and finally to its bittersweet end, never missing a single night without an 'I love you' or a goodnight kiss when he could no longer form the words. But the starter was hurt, the other backup chose law school over football, and Unitas kept his job. They claimed that John Jr. made substantial unauthorized and improper distributions to himself of cash and caused the payment of his personal obligations to be made by Unitas Management Corporation., They also charged that John Jr., through Unitas Management, borrowed funds from American Express and Wells Fargo and used the money to fund what they called an extravagant lifestyle.. . "How could I?'' The estate and the company should get what belongs to it. 200 International Cir, Cockeysville, MD, 21030, USA, Your profile completeness and accuracy (including pictures). All rights reserved. "This is a very sad, sad day for me and my family. Today is very sad. Its a tough situation, said Lee Stotsky, a longtime friend of Johnny Unitas. Unitas had a heart attack while working out at a physical therapy center in the Baltimore suburb of Timonium, said Vivienne Stearns-Elliott, a spokeswoman for St. Joseph Medical Center in Towson. As a subscriber, you have 10 gift articles to give each month. Unitas said he harbored no ill feelings. celebrated its 50th anniversary, he was voted the best quarterback ever. He was known for inspiring teammates by example, by disregard for his own health as he stayed in the passing pocket until the last moment if that's what it took for a receiver to get open, and never flinching before taking a hit. Federal and state documents in pending lawsuits portray a nasty fight between Unitas, long-time manager of Unitas Management Corp., his father's licensing arm, and his father's long-time attorney Charles M. Tatelbaum, accountant Howard H. Moffet and widow Sandra L. Unitas of Timonium. Unitas, 46, contended that his father's personal attorney and accountant were jealous over being omitted from the business while his father was alive and have maneuvered to gain control since his. I want you all to remember that. When he left football, he had three Most Valuable Player trophies and 10 Pro Bowl trips. Bad feelings continued this spring when Unitas' children received a letter from Dulaney Valley Memorial Garden about the placement of a marker for their father without their knowledge, Kenneth Unitas said. "He put Baltimore on the map," said Art Donovan, one of numerous former Colts among the throng. Janice is related to Robert Francis Unitas and Maria R Bonner as well as 2 additional people. This was the only real successful company he was a part of, and it was the father and the son, totally.. "Johnny U was the father of modern football, so all of us, including my father, who enjoyed participating, owe that to Johnny," Modell said. "The drama came from the championship setting rather than the game itself, until we came down to tie it in the final seconds. "I believe he's one of the main reasons I'm an NFL starting quarterback,'' Redman said. PRO FOOTBALL; Prayers and Praise at Funeral for Unitas, https://www.nytimes.com/2002/09/18/sports/pro-football-prayers-and-praise-at-funeral-for-unitas.html. Unitas was Most Valuable Player in 1964 and 1967 and played in 10 Pro Bowls. A daughter, Janice Unitas DeNittis, said she remembered sitting on her father's lap as a little girl as they watched game film. "To be in Baltimore as a receiver and get to play 12 years with him, I have to classify as the best break I ever got in my career,'' Hall of Famer Raymond Berry said. Threw TD passes in record 47 consecutive games. Unitas, who set 22 NFL records and was named the league's most valuable player three times, is best remembered for leading the Colts from behind to beat the New York Giants, 23-17, in the 1958 overtime championship game that caught much of the country's attention on television. And then it became the first playoff ever to go to sudden death, and you can't have much more drama than that,'' Unitas recalled. He now ranks seventh on the all-time list, surpassed by a crop of quarterbacks who played after him, and benefited from changes in passing rules. He was 69. Janice Unitas-DeNittis described her father as a driven, demanding man who was also kind and loving. A pure dropback passer, Unitas was the first to throw for 40,000 yards. Baltimore Ravens president David Modell was in attendance and put Unitas' monumental career in prospective. Eulogies began at 9:15 a.m., followed by a 90-minute Mass that began shortly after 10 a.m. Baltimore television stations covered live from the plaza outside the cathedral. Also known as Janice Unitas-Denittis, Janice A Denittis, Janice Ann Unitas, Janice Ann Udenittis, D Unitas, Unitas Janice, Janice Unitas Denitt. That was when the family feud took a nasty public turn. Those images of your performances still haven't faded.''. Or purchase a subscription for unlimited access to real news you can count on. It has taken two families and ripped them apart. Yesterday, John C. Unitas Jr., eldest of the famed athlete's eight children - five by his first marriage and three by his second - defended himself against accusations in lawsuits that he defrauded his late father's sports memorabilia company. In the 1969 Super Bowl, the Jets upset the Colts, 16-7, behind Joe Namath, a new-era quarterback star. We know what the books say. UNITAS - On May 25, 2021 at home and surrounded by family, Christopher Michael Unitas, 61, affectionately called "Toaster," departed this life hand in hand with his beloved wife Michele (nee Calvert), after a lengthy illness; adoring father of Alexandra A. Unitas, Nicholas H. Unitas and stepfather to Emily C. Veillon; cherished son of the late touchdown passes during his career. His 18-year marriage to Dorothy Unitas ended in divorce in 1972. The next year, the Colts signed him. He set 22 NFL passing records, was named MVP of the NFL three times and was selected for the Pro Bowl 10 times. Unitas had been working out at a physical therapy centre in the Baltimore suburb when. Christopher will be sorely missed by many friends and family. He fumbled on his next two possessions. ''He symbolizes football, and, more importantly, he symbolizes leadership.''. His favorite receiver, Raymond Berry, eulogized him as a "once-in-a-lifetime quarterback" who "made the impossible possible.". He was recently a tutor for Chris Redman, who played at the University of Louisville, Unitas's old school, and is now the starting quarterback for the Baltimore Ravens. Now the battle lines have been drawn between the two families. "But when Unitas died I did. The Dignity Memorial brand name is used to identify a network of licensed funeral, cremation and cemetery providers that include affiliates of Service Corporation International, 1929 Allen Parkway, Houston, Texas. Funeral services were held on Tuesday morning for National Football League legend and Hall of Famer Johnny Unitas in Baltimore. He also played football for the Bloomfield Rams, a semipro team in the Pittsburgh area that played on dirt, not grass, and sprayed the field with oil before a game to keep the dust down. He was a record-setting quarterback and the National Football League's most valuable player in 1959, 1964, and 1967. Unitas, 46, contended that his father's personal attorney and accountant were jealous over being omitted from the business while his father was alive and have maneuvered to gain control since his death Sept. 11. Those in attendance included NFL Commissioner Paul Tagliabue; former Oriole Brooks Robinson, who like Unitas is beloved in Baltimore; several representatives of Baltimore's current pro football team, the Ravens; and a host of political figures. He hoped to receive league-financed disability payments but learned that because he was receiving a monthly pension, he could not also collect disability because he had not filed for it by age 55, as the pension-fund rules required. When the quarterback at St. Justin's High School in Pittsburgh broke his ankle, Unitas inherited the job. And for many celebrities who have passed away, their value has been going up as advertisers have been using their images in marketing campaigns.. See the complete profile on LinkedIn and discover Janice's . Sandra Unitas did not return phone calls and did not plan to comment, said her representative, Tatelbaum. The Colts signed him the following season after getting tipped "Unitas was signed after we received a letter from a fan telling us there was a player in Bloomfield deserving a chance,'' former Colts coach Weeb Ewbank recalled a few years later. At Tuesday's public memorial service, mourners at Baltimore's Cathedral of Mary Our Queen got the chance to say one final good bye to the football legend that defined the game during the 50s and 60s. Johnny Unitas was elected into the Hall of Fame as a Player in 1979. All five failed," Unitas said. There have been no negative reviews posted yet. AVERAGE AGE. He was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1979, and was named the "Greatest Player in the First 50 Years of Pro Football" and the "Player of the Decade" for the 1960s in 1969. Christopher met his current wife, Michele, just as the specter of his illness was beginning to cast its shadow. Janice has 1 job listed on their profile. He is widely considered to be one of the greatest quarterbacks of all-time. See the article in its original context from. BALTIMORE -- Johnny Unitas, the Hall of Fame quarterback who broke nearly every NFL passing record and won three championships with the Baltimore Colts in an 18-year career, died Sept. 11 at age. history,'' league commissioner Paul Tagliabue said. Instead, the two representatives accountant Howard Moffet and lawyer Charles Tatelbaum, both longtime associates of Johnny Unitas took control of the company and ousted John Jr. as president, and his wife, Christine, as secretary. Had three seasons of 3,000 yards or more. "Unitas Management had contracts worth nearly half a million dollars and numerous deals pending, along with, of course, the invaluable legacy of Johnny Unitas," his son said. he asked. '', ''You elevated all of us to unreachable levels, whether we were in the stands or on the field,'' Berry said. ''We remember the cheers that rang out from 33rd Street, celebrating a man in black hightop shoes,'' Keeler said, recalling Unitas's glory days at Memorial Stadium in Baltimore. Robert, Christopher and Kenneth. Dorothy died four . Tatelbaum, Moffet and Sandra Unitas, the current officers of Unitas Management, allege in a lawsuit filed Friday in U.S. Bankruptcy Court in Baltimore that Unitas "pillaged and ravaged" the corporation into bankruptcy, and that his spending excesses had raised the concern of his famous father before he died of a heart attack at age 69. A week later, the Colts upset the Cleveland Browns, and Unitas had earned himself a job. "Johnny U,'' with his trademark crewcut and black hightops, was the first to throw for 40,000 yards and now ranks seventh, surpassed by a group of quarterbacks who played after him, with rules that make passing easier. He was a record-setting quarterback and the National Football Leagues most valuable player in 1959, 1964, and 1967. gained passing, most touchdown passes and most seasons leading the Statistics for all 2 Janice Denittis results: 63 yrs. league in TD passes. Unitas' most noticeable malady was a curved right arm, evidence of the thousands of passes he threw. By the time the Steelers dropped him, it was too late to be picked up by another team, so he took a construction job. In 1958, he led the Colts to a 23-17 victory over the Giants in sudden-death overtime in an N.F.L. Sandra Unitas also declined to comment for this story, as did most of the remaining siblings. ", "He expressed to me that we would not be in his will, but we would split a life insurance policy equally," she said. A reputation score is a system calculated score that takes the following factors into consideration: Janice has been an active member of our network of insurance professionals for 2 year/s. The SPORTS REFERENCE and STATHEAD trademarks are owned exclusively by Sports Reference LLC. Dorothy Jean Unitas died in May 2002. How much did Johnny Unitas weigh when playing? ''In a different body, you would have been an ideal middle linebacker, but we're all glad God made you a quarterback,'' he said. I'll miss him so much.''. Unitas's survivors include his wife, Sandra; six sons, John Jr., Kenneth, Robert, Christopher, Joe and Chad; and two daughters, Janice Ann Unitas-DeNittis and Paige Unitas. If you wish you can edit your review below. Some of that confidence was apparent in his freshman year of college at Louisville. Christopher was proud of both his children and their trade career choices, giving him peace of mind they would never find themselves without a necessary marketable skill in which they could flourish. This man is regarded as one of the great players in the NFL. Logos were compiled by the amazing SportsLogos.net. 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