The Hall of Fame quarterback Johnny Unitas wore this blue Baltimore Colts home jersey during the 1969 NFL season, his 14th year in the NFL. Unitas, who began his post-collegiate football career playing for Pittsburgh’s Bloomfield Rams for $6 a game, led Don Shula’s Colts to a 8-5-1 record in 1969 after passing for 2,342 yards and 12 touchdowns in a rush-heavy era. Unitas had his best game of the season in Baltimore’s 30-10 victory over the New Orleans Saints in Week 5, completing 20 of 28 passes for 319 yards, three touchdowns, and zero interceptions. A 10-time Pro Bowler and a three-time NFL MVP, Unitas played for the Colts through the 1972 season before finishing his career as a member of the San Diego Chargers in 1973. Unitas was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1979 after passing for 40,239 yards and 290 touchdowns in a legendary career.

This stunning Baltimore Colts jersey was originally worn by Unitas’ teammate Earl Morrall in Super Bowl III and later altered for use by Unitas during the 1969 season. Unitas’ number “19” is sewn on the chest, sleeves, and back of the jersey in white tackle twill, with evidence of the changeover from Morrall’s number “15” present. Faint evidence of the NFL 50th Anniversary patch is located on the chest. A Sand-Knit size “46” tag and an Eddie Leonard distributor tag are sewn on the front left tail of this long-sleeved jersey. The jersey originated from Unitas’ own Golden Arm Restaurant and comes with a LOA from PM&G. There is also a LOA from RGU that photo matched this jersey to an undated image from the 1969 season. However, we have been unable to confirm the photo match done by RGU. A Letter of Provenance from Duke Hott accompanies this jersey. 

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