Unitas

Walter and Jane Jackson of Severna Park announce the marriage of their daughter, Lindsay Heather, to Chad Elliott Unitas, son of Sandra and the late John Unitas of Baltimore. The couple wed on December 29th at St. Paul's School in Baltimore with a reception following at the Sheraton Inner Harbor. The bride, a 1999 graduate of Severna Park High School and 2003 graduate of Towson University, is employed as a Development Associate at Maryvale Preparatory School in Baltimore. The groom, a 1997 graduate of St. Paul's School and 2003 graduate of Towson University, is employed as a Sales Executive for Columbia Container.

This year's Baltimore Symphony Decorators' Show House offers not only a look at the latest interior design trends but also a peek into the Timonium home of quarterback great Johnny Unitas. Unitas lived in the five-bedroom house on Timonium Road from 1971, when the he led the Colts to an AFC title match against the Miami Dolphins, until 1988, when he moved to a farm in northern Baltimore County. Unitas died in 2002. His widow, Sandy; daughter, Paige; and son, Chad, and other members of his family, will cut the ribbon to open the show house on April 28, giving visitors the chance see rooms decorated by some of the region's premier designers.

Hall of Fame quarterback John Unitas, 59, was hospitalized at the University of Maryland Medical Center last night after complaining of chest pains after knee surgery, according to reports.A hospital spokeswoman would not release any information except to say that Unitas' condition was serious, as of midnight last night.WJZ-TV reported that Unitas experienced chest pain and an abnormal electrocardiogram and was placed in the hospital's cardiac care unit as a precaution.Unitas played with the Colts from 1956 to 1973.

With its commanding view of roof tops and tree tops stretching endlessly north, Legend Hill in Timonium is similar to most previous show houses in that it is old and stately. Legend Hill, off Timonium Road, is named for legendary Baltimore quarterback Johnny Unitas, who owned the house from 1971 to 1987. "That's what women come to see," Carolyn Stadfeld, design chair for the Baltimore Symphony Associates, which produces the annual fundraiser, said. And they come in droves, more than 8,000 people, unstymied by age or infirmity. Some people come in wheelchairs and walkers with their daughters and granddaughters to help them through, Stadfeld said.

The John Unitas plaque is headed back to the main concourse at Memorial Stadium.Baltimore CFLs owner Jim Speros said yesterday that he will move the plaque that honors the Baltimore Colts Hall of Fame quarterback from the team's lobby entrance to its former spot in the concourse."

Tomorrow marks 50 years since anyone was given even a glimpse of what was in store. In Chicago, at Wrigley Field, on Oct. 21, 1956: Ligaments in George Shaw's right knee popped. As he was dragged off the field, a baby-faced kid from Western Pennsylvania, with black high-tops and a sharp crewcut, trotted on. No one knew Johnny Unitas' name then. A half-century later, of course, we all do. John's first of 5,186 passes was a short throw into the right flat that Chicago cornerback J.C. Caroline timed exquisitely.

John C. Unitas, the former Baltimore Colt quarterback, has filed for Chapter 11 reorganization in U.S. Bankruptcy Court.Unitas and his wife, Sandra, filed for protection from creditors on Friday. A Chapter 11 filing allows an individual or corporation to continue operating while in bankruptcy.Unitas' attorney, James R. Wooten, said today the bankruptcy was filed to avoid the possibility that Unitas' personal assets would be seized to pay debts, including auctioning his house in Baltimore County, attaching his personal bank accounts and garnishing his salary.

Former Baltimore Colts quarterback John Unitas, who underwent coronary bypass surgery early Saturday, remained in serious condition yesterday at University of Maryland Medical Center, a hospital spokeswoman said.Unitas, 59, had breathing difficulty and chest pains after knee surgery Thursday at Kernan Hospital and was taken to University of Maryland Medical Center, where he was operated on for an arterial blockage. It is normal for patients who have undergone heart surgery to be listed as serious shortly after the operation.

"He was my football inspiration, my football hero." Joe Namath, former New York Jets quarterback who beat the Colts in Super Bowl III "He played in an era where you could kick, bite, scratch - almost anything went. Imagine if the receivers had free rein down the field like they do today, he might have set records that nobody would ever break." Joe Montana, former San Francisco 49ers and Kansas City Chiefs quarterback "I studied John Unitas, studied him tirelessly. ... I admired him tremendously and I could identify how he had started and what he had grown to because of his humble beginnings, because I was a very low-round draft choice."

When John Unitas talked about what family and friends mean to him, there in the quiet of his hospital room, he uncharacteristically put a hand to his left eye to remove a tear.The most accomplished quarterback in the history of the NFL is recovering from heart bypass surgery and wants a multitude of well-wishers to realize how grateful he is for their messages and prayers.Barring complications, doctors at the University of Maryland Medical Center were to discharge him today. The surgery took place 12 days ago, the recuperation progressed without difficulty and he's enthusiastic, as any patient would be, of the promise to return home to complete his convalescence.

Having co-hosted a pre-game radio show with John Unitas for four years while producing the radio broadcasts on WCBM for the Baltimore Colts, I think John would be laughing over the family feud about Joe Flacco portraying him in a movie. John would probably remark that Joe is a little too tall for the role. John had a great sense of humor, and I think he would have approved of Joe Flacco's own "golden arm. " As a Ravens season ticket holder, I can attest to both quarterbacks "coolness quotient.

Although many Johnny Unitas plays are seared in Baltimore's collective memory, the NFL is betting folks might want a refresher. The organization has introduced a collectible it's calling the Keepr. People plug it into their computer and can revel in 45 minutes of Johnny U's greatest moments. There's also photos, interviews and stats. “The Keepr creates an experience that's like visiting the Hall of Fame for each player, right from your computer,” former Colts running back Tom Matte, who played with Unitas, said in a statement.

Collin Klein may play quarterback for Kansas State, but on Friday he attended Johnny U. In town to receive the 2012 Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award, Klein spent part of the day viewing Unitas' memorabilia at the Sports Legends Museum, kibitzing with John Unitas Jr. and several old Colts, and visiting the scupture of the late Hall of Fame quarterback outside M&T Bank Stadium, where he reverently touched the toe of the 13-foot statue. "This is amazing. He [Unitas] was so special," said Klein, the 26 t h recipient of the award and a rare unanimous choice of the six-member selection committee.

Kansas State University's Collin Klein has been named recipient of t he 2012 Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award.  The award is presented annually to a top college football quarterback who best combines on-the-field and academic achievement.  Candidates for the award must be completing their college eligibility or be a fourth-year junior, on schedule to graduate with his class. “Collin is not just a tremendous athlete and leader on the field, but an MVP off the field as well, who repeatedly has been recognized for his numerous contributions to the community and to the spirit of sportsmanship,” said John C. Unitas, Jr., President of The Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Educational Foundation, which along with Transamerica presents the award.

The five finalists for the 2012 Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award have been selected from the initial field of 29 top college quarterbacks. This year's final five are Matt Barkley of USC, Collin Klein of Kansas State, EJ Manuel of Florida State, AJ McCarron of Alabama, and Geno Smith of West Virginia. Candidates for the Golden Arm Award must be completing their college eligibility or be a fourth-year junior, on schedule to graduate with his class.  Candidates are judged upon character, citizenship, scholastic achievement, leadership qualities, and athletic accomplishments.

MIAA championships At Johnny Unitas Stadium, Towson University A Conference No. 1 Gilman (8-2) vs. No. 2 Calvert Hall (8-2) When: Saturday, 7 p.m. Coaches: Biff Poggi, Gilman; Donald Davis, Calvert Hall Last meeting: Gilman won, 24-14, Oct. 21 Outlook: The A Conference playoffs are only 2 years old and for the second time, the title game features the same No. 1 vs. No. 2 showdown. The defending champion Greyhounds are looking for their 11th MIAA title, while the 2010 champion Cardinals go after their second.

Through the often strange but captivating scenarios evolving in sports come stories equipped with intriguing parallels. John Unitas and Kurt Warner. Two quarterbacks from the "other side of the tracks." Neither born with privileged opportunities, yet making the grade on their own and utilizing football ability to gain prominence and a measure of wealth. They represent the kind of biographies, Horatio Alger material, that attracts the attention of America. Warner's past is much like Unitas', or is it vice versa?

Former Colts quarterback Johnny Unitas is reported to be resting comfortably after an operation Wednesday at the University of Maryland Medical Center to deal with numbness and pain in his right arm and hand, a problem that beset him for several years.Muscle and ligament damage was found consistent with the injuries he suffered from playing football. The Hall of Famer is expected to be discharged from the hospital shortly. Doctors also performed reconstructive finger surgery on his right hand.

The field of college quarterbacks in the running for the 2012 Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award has been narrowed to 10.  There were 29 quarterbacks competing for the award at the start of the football season. The 10 remaining candidates are Matt Barkley, USC; Landry Jones, Oklahoma; Collin Klein, Kansas State; EJ Manuel, Florida State; AJ McCarren, Alabama; Aaron Murray, Georgia; Denard Robinson, Michigan; Geno Smith, West Virginia; Tyler Tettleton, Ohio; and Tyler Wilson, Arkansas.