Sports Illustrated triumphantly hailed Johnny Unitas as "the Greatest There Ever Was." And the incomparable Baltimore Colts quarterback was certainly just that, as evidenced by the accolades that poured in from all over the country upon his death on September 11, 2002 -- two years after he was selected as the quarter-back of the All-Time NFL Team by the Hall of Fame selection committee. Unitas virtually ushered the National Football League into the American consciousness, laying the groundwork for the tremendous global success it enjoys today. In an age when defenses were allowed to run wild and unrestrained, he was the picture of fearlessness. In fact, no other quarterback before or since struck as much fear into the hearts of defenders. He would courageously stand in the pocket and methodically pick teams apart with his golden arm and unshakeable demeanor.