Johnny Unitas was one of the greatest football players in the history of the National Football League, changing forever the way the game is played. With this exhibit, future generations will learn about the blue-collar work ethic and inspired leadership that made him “the best there ever was!” This exhibit is filled with an array of personal artifacts and memorabilia representing Unitas’ entire career. In March 2002, the Colts legend and Hall of Famer donated his collection of game-used equipment, photographs, trophies and awards to the Babe Ruth Museum, ensuring that the legacy of football’s greatest player would be forever interpreted alongside the history of baseball’s greatest player, Babe Ruth.
The gallery begins with a look at the rough and tumble, modest world of Johnny U growing up with his family in Pittsburgh, PA, and ends with an exploration into why Johnny was considered the best of all time, using statistics, photographs, and video highlights to back up the claim. The main display features a 15-foot-tall case containing Unitas’ Baltimore Colts uniform, from a single-bar helmet down to his signature black high-top cleats.
