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Friday, January 15, 2021

Card of the Day -- The Golden Arm

 This card was #1 in the 1971 Topps football set.  Johnny was still sporting the iconic brush cut (not sure what year this shot was taken).  I think of him as Johnny, don't you?

1971 Topps Football #1  John Unitas
I remember reading a story about Johnny breaking his nose during a game and plugging it with mud to stop the bleeding.  I'm sure Tom Brady is tough but I can't imagine him doing that.  

Here's  some highlights from the same era as this card.

The cartoon mentions Johnny's restaurant.  Here's a copy of the menu from 1968 courtesy of the New York Public Library.


14 comments:

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    1. I'll go with the Right Guard, lamb chops. Been forever since I've had them.

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    2. Put me down for Prime Heart Of Filet Mignon with a baked potato, shrimp cocktail and a bowl of french onion soup.

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  2. Johnny Unitas was a great QB. Called his own plays. Legend.

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    1. I think with all the gaudy numbers today some of the past greats are being forgotten.

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  3. Welcome back, David!

    Your comment about thinking of him as "Johnny" reminded me of this:

    Another great athlete (Johnny Bench) was called "Johnny" by everyone, except for Sparky Anderson, who called him "John".

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  4. Thanks, Jim. There's always someone who has to be different. I haven't called myself "Dave" in decades but there are always some people who do it automatically. Do you find that with your name? BTW, it doesn't bother me.

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  5. That Unitas card is simply amazing, would love to pick-up a copy of that one someday.

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    1. I got that one for a penny. Hard to believe I've had it for going on 50 years. I'd like to have one of his earlier cards.

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  6. You've been disappeared for awhile, hopefully all has been well.

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    1. I've been fine. Once you stop blogging it's hard to pick it back up. Maybe a common thing but I often feel like I have nothing to say/show that anyone would want to hear/see. Thanks for still being here. Guess it disproves my theory.

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  8. Johnny was one of the greats of all time and a great guy was able to get his autograph and meet him a number of times He and Brooks Robinson are maybe to 2 best personalities that were friends to the hobby always made time to sign an autograph or take a picture. I have had season tickets for the Ravens since 1996 and he was on the sidelines every week until his death. after that the Ravens had a place on the sidelines with his high top cleats and #19. Now he has a statue in front of the stadium and it is become a custom to touch Johnny's toe for good luck when entering the on game day! Maybe the biggest legend in Baltimore sports history I hate that all his records are now in Indianapolis!?!?

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    1. Chicago's teams have been stable all my life. I can only imagine what it's like seeing your team and it's history in another city.

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