Unitas We Stand: Johnny Unitas’ Grandson Says Joe Flacco is ‘Embarrassing Choice’ For Movie Role
By Josh Sanchez
Upon first glance when the news surfaced that Baltimore Ravens quarterback Joe Flacco would be playing NFL legend in an upcoming film, the news appeared to be almost as outrageous as his $100+ million contract. It looked like something that came straight from The Onion, but unfortunately it was true.
Unitas’ son, Joe Unitas, co-wrote the film titled Unitas We Stand and wanted Flacco to play the role of his father.
While Joe Unitas appears on board, there are some members of the Unitas family that aren’t too happy about the decision to have Joe Flacco portray the great Johnny Unitas.
One of Unitas’ grandsons, J.C., took to Facebook to say Flacco was an “embarrassing choice.”
He went on to add, “My grandfather and his legacy deserves only the best, and this is not it. Has Baltimore forgotten that Trent Dilfer also won a Super Bowl while playing for Baltimore?”
J.C. also criticized the decision by Joe Unitas to seek out funds for his new project.
“It disgusts me that one of the son’s of my grandfather would put his hands out and ask for donations to make a movie based off of a book that was mostly built off of non-factual events in my grandfather’s life,” J.C. said. “Moreover, a movie of my grandfather conceptualized by a son who never saw my grandfather play a down of football.
“The Unitas family is a family that never asked for handouts, although it appears there is a hand out, shaking a proverbial soup can for money to fund a movie.”
Ouch.
John Unitas Jr. was also very critical of the move saying, “If you want a quarterback, go with Peyton Manning,. My father was just like that. This is a joke.”
This situation could really get ugly. John Jr. and Joe don’t see eye to eye and their sibling rivalry is now playing out in public. If some sort of resolution or communication doesn’t open between the two sons of Johnny Unitas, then this innocent movie project could play out in the public eye.
“They’re trying to do anything on the coattails of my father’s name,” John said. “It’s like prostituting yourself. My father would have nothing to do with it. It makes me angry, but there’s nothing I can do about it until they slip up. If they start selling some things with Johnny Unitas on it, then I have legal recourse.”
You know, if Joe Flacco wouldn’t have gone on a miracle run in the postseason, he wouldn’t be stealing money from the Ravens and he wouldn’t have sparked a public war between two brothers.
Way to go, Joe Flacco. This one’s on you.