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Unitas timeline

May 7, 1933
Born in Pittsburgh.

Spring 1955
Drafted in the ninth round by the Pittsburgh Steelers after completing his career at the University of Louisville.

Fall 1955
After being cut by the Steelers, plays with a semipro team in Pittsburgh for $6 a game

April 1956
Signs with the Baltimore Colts for $7,000.

Dec. 28, 1958
Leads the Colts over the New York Giants for the NFL championship in what came to be called "The Greatest Game Ever Played."

Dec. 27, 1959
Quarterbacks the Colts to a second straight NFL title game victory over the Giants.

Dec. 11, 1960
NFL-record streak of 47 consecutive games with a touchdown pass ends at Los Angeles.

Sept. 18, 1966
Throws four touchdown passes, giving him 212 for his career, to surpass Y.A. Tittle as the NFL's all-time leader.

Oct. 30, 1966
Throws for 252 yards to pass Tittle (28,339 yards) as the NFL's all-time passing yards leader.

Jan. 17, 1971
Though later injured and replaced by Earl Morrall, throws a touchdown pass in the Colts' victory over the Dallas Cowboys in Super Bowl V.

Sept. 24, 1972
Throws for 376 yards in a Colts loss to the New York Jets, combining with Joe Namath (496 yards) for a record 872 passing yards.

Dec. 3, 1972
In a mop-up role, plays in his final game for the Colts, throwing a 63-yard touchdown pass to Eddie Hinton.

Jan. 22, 1973
Traded to the San Diego Chargers.

Sept. 30, 1973
While with the Chargers, becomes the first player to top 40,000 yards passing for his career.

July 25, 1974
Retires from the NFL.

Fall 1974
Joins CBS as a football analyst.

1976
Becomes involved in restaurant, air freight and retail clothing businesses.

Oct. 9, 1977
Colts retire No. 19.

May 1977
Joins Colts as consultant.

July 28, 1979
Inducted into Pro Football Hall of Fame.

Sept. 21, 1981
Dropped by Colts as consultant.

March 5, 1993
Suffers heart attack and undergoes bypass surgery.

Sept. 11, 2002
Dies at age 69.

Related topic galleries: Heart Disease, Baltimore Colts, New York Jets, Dallas Cowboys, San Diego Chargers, National Football League, New York Giants

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