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Indianapolis Colts all-time Mount Rushmore

By Mike Phillips

CLEVELAND - NOVEMBER 30: Quarterback Peyton Manning #18 of the Indianapolis Colts passes the ball during their NFL game against the Cleveland Browns on November 30, 2008 at Cleveland Browns Stadium in Cleveland, Ohio. The Colts defeated the Browns 10-6. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)
CLEVELAND - NOVEMBER 30: Quarterback Peyton Manning #18 of the Indianapolis Colts passes the ball during their NFL game against the Cleveland Browns on November 30, 2008 at Cleveland Browns Stadium in Cleveland, Ohio. The Colts defeated the Browns 10-6. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images) /
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MINNEAPOLIS, MN – OCTOBER 22: Quarterback Johnny Unitas #19 of the Baltimore Colts drops back to pass against the Minnesota Viking during an NFL football game on October 22, 1967, at Metropolitan Stadium in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Unitas played for the Colts from 1956-72. (Photo by Focus on Sport/Getty Images)
MINNEAPOLIS, MN – OCTOBER 22: Quarterback Johnny Unitas #19 of the Baltimore Colts drops back to pass against the Minnesota Viking during an NFL football game on October 22, 1967, at Metropolitan Stadium in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Unitas played for the Colts from 1956-72. (Photo by Focus on Sport/Getty Images) /

QB Johnny Unitas (1956-1972)

It would take a lot to out-do Peyton Manning for the top spot on the Colts’ all-time Mount Rushmore, but even Manning would admit he should come behind Johnny Unitas. One of the forefathers of the modern NFL, Unitas’ career almost didn’t happen after he was cut by the Pittsburgh Steelers in 1955 due to a belief he wasn’t smart enough to play quarterback.

Baltimore Colts’ head coach Weeb Ewbank convinced Unitas to try out in 1956 and he made the team, taking over for the injured George Shaw in Week 4. Unitas quickly seized the starting job and became one of the most prolific passers in the NFL.

The Colts became an NFL powerhouse under Unitas, winning back-to-back championships in 1958 and 1959 as he was in the midst of a four-year run of leading the league in touchdown passes. Unitas, a three-time MVP and eight-time All-Pro, ended up helping the Colts to victory in Super Bowl V, adding yet another championship to his incredible legacy.

The NFL saw its passing revolution begin with Unitas, who became the first quarterback to throw for 40,000 yards and throw a touchdown pass in 47 consecutive games, a streak that stood for 52 years before it was broken by Drew Brees in 2012. Unitas is, without a doubt, one of the greatest players to ever live and an easy choice to be the main face on the Colts’ all-time Mount Rushmore.

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