Johnny Unitas - Popular Culture

Popular Culture

  • Appeared as a color-commentator in the 1976 Disney film Gus.
  • He guest-starred as himself in The Simpsons episode "Homie the Clown" (first aired February 12, 1995). In the episode "Mother Simpson" (first aired November 19, 1995), Grandpa Simpson also refers to Unitas having a "haircut you could set your watch to." Both episodes are directed by David Silverman.
  • In 1999, Unitas was an extra in Runaway Bride. He can be seen about 25 minutes into the movie sitting on the bench outside the bakery.
  • In 1999, Unitas was featured in the movie Any Given Sunday as the head coach of the fictional Dallas Knights.
  • For the game following his death, Indianapolis Colts quarterback Peyton Manning requested to wear a pair of black cleats as a tribute to Johnny's signature black boots. The league denied his request and threatened Manning with a $25,000 fine. Manning decided not to wear them. Ravens QB Chris Redman, a Louisville alum like Unitas, wore the cleats without asking permission and was fined only $5000.
  • Stephen Decatur High School named its student commons Johnny Unitas Square.
  • In the episode "Space, Geeks, and Johnny Unitas" from Season 1 of The Adventures of Pete and Pete, Pete became obsessed with Unitas.
  • Though Unitas never served in the military, Mort Walker gave him an unseen cameo in the comic strip "Beetle Bailey". Beetle asks an intruder, "Who goes there?" When he gets the response "Johnny Unitas", Beetle yells back "Pass"—and is promptly hit in the helmet with a football. (April 30, 1971.)

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