Top 30 NFL players of the 1900s

Top 30 NFL Players of the 1900s

PITTSBURGH, PA - SEPTEMBER 13: Quarterback Joe Montana #16 of the San Francisco 49ers passes during pregame warm up before a game against the Pittsburgh Steelers at Three Rivers Stadium on September 13, 1987 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The Steelers defeated the 49ers 30-17. (Photo by George Gojkovich/Getty Images) /

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American professional football player Johnny Unitas #19 (1933 – 2002), quarterback of the Baltimore Colts, prepares to throw a pass during a game against the Chicago Bears, Chicago, October 6, 1963. The Bears won 10 – 3. (Photo by Robert Riger/Getty Images) /

12. Johnny Unitas

Of all the players on this list, none played a more vital role into making the NFL what it is today than Johnny Unitas. The 1956 NFL Championship Game was in large part what helped pro football surpass Major League Baseball as the true American pastime.

The first NFL game to see a sudden death overtime period, Unitas and the Colts defeated the New York Giants at Yankee Stadium with an Alan Amichi touchdown from the goal line. Not only did Unitas help the Colts win, he did it by utilizing the two-minute drill to send the game into overtime.

The 10-time Pro Bowler won three league MVPs and three NFL Championships in his career. He led the NFL in passing touchdowns four times, as well as passing yards. He is a member of the NFL’s 1960s All-Decade team and was named an All-Pro eight times.

Most importantly, though, he helped revolutionize and popularize the game of football. Without Unitas, who knows where the game would be today? While he closed out his career in San Diego, he will always be remembered with the horseshoe on his helmet as a Baltimore Colt, and as a pioneer of professional football.

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