Johnny Unitas, though he never played for the Colts after the move to Indianapolis from Baltimore, is perhaps the best known player to ever wear that glorious blue and white Colts jersey. Adorned with No. 19 across his chest, Johnny U. became the most respected quarterback in Colts history and perhaps even the most popular player ever after his stint with the Baltimore Colts in the 1950s and 60s, but now he s being challenged by another star quarterback Peyton Manning. As Unitas successor, Manning has done an incredible job at picking up where the Baltimore Colts megastar left off, and in one incredible game that was the Week 2 action this year between the Indianapolis Colts and Miami Dolphins, Peyton Manning proved that his name is worthy of mentioning next to Unitas.
On Sept. 21, 2009, the day that the Indianapolis Colts beat the Miami Dolphins 27 23 in one of the most intense games of the season, Peyton Manning became the newest franchise record holder for the most career wins with the Colts, posting his 119th win with Indianapolis and surpassing Unitas record of 118. Victory No. 119 for Manning and the Colts was a hard fought battle, and the win wasn t the only record Peyton Manning set that evening. In the 60 minute game against Miami, the Colts offense managed to outscore the Dolphins after possessing the ball for just 14 minutes and 53 seconds the lowest time of possession ever in a professional football game for a team to come out with a win. Manning was calm and collected as his offense quickly took the field for each offensive run, throwing for 303 yards and two touchdowns in just minutes clearly taking care of business in Miami with the help of Dallas Clark, Pierre Garcon and Reggie Wayne at the receiving end.
Although the Colts Dolphins game was a memorable one because of the stiff competition and down to the wire action, it will undeniably be remembered in Indy because of Peyton Manning and his new record in franchise history. When asked about breaking Unitas record, Manning was humble as always, saying, I ve never felt comfortable with these comparisons to Johnny Unitas. I m very proud to wear the same uniform as he did. He was very nice to me the times that I was around him. Johnny Unitas was a winner. Manning also opened up about what the record means to him, saying, I never saw [Unitas] play but my dad told me a lot about him and what he meant to the city of Baltimore and what he meant to the NFL. It s very humbling to be mentioned in some of these same categories and individual records but this is a team record. There are a lot of people that were part of those wins. A lot of great coaches and a lot of great players. It s a very humbling achievement.
Peyton Manning might be the newest icon in Colts history (especially in Indy, as Unitas cut all ties with the team after it moved from Baltimore,) but he s still got a ways to go in wiping Johnny U. from the scoreboard. Unitas still holds the league record for most consecutive games with a touchdown pass, nailing 47 in a row back in 1960. The record hasn t been touched by any player so far, but perhaps No. 18 is ready for the challenge.
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