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As mentioned in a related story posted yesterday on Baltimore Beatdown, New Orleans QB Drew Brees tied legendary Baltimore Colts QB Johnny Unitas in throwing at least one consecutive TD pass in 47 straight games. Brees threw three touchdown passes along with 446 passing yards in a 28-27 loss to the Green Bay Packers.
Shockingly, the Saints fell to 0-4, but the story was not as much his impressive performance in this one game but that he tied a record that has stood for 18,291 days. Unitas set the record between 1956-1960. Brees can pass Unitas and stand alone with one more TD pass and will have the chance in front of a national television audience as they host the San Diego Chargers on Sunday Night Football.
In a time when passing was nowhere near the focus of the offense as it is now, Unitas' record still stands as a note of an amazing accomplishment. Back then, the record Unitas broke previously stood at 23 straight games and he more than doubled it. Taking nothing away from Brees, who is among the best of this generation, but the passing game has been elevated to such high levels that 300-yard games are the norm as opposed to the past generation's exception.
Good luck Drew!
UPDATED NOTE: This entry was posted on Johnny U's son's Facebook page by Joe Unitas:
Drew,
I wanted to take a minute to congratulate you on tying my father’s record for most consecutive games with a touchdown pass. I’ve been following your pursuit of the record since last season. I’m a big fan of yours, and wish you the best Sunday night against San Diego as you try to break the record. My father always said that records were meant to be broken. I know that if he was still with us that he would wish you the best as well.
When I look back on my father’s life I remember a man who was much bigger than the game of football. The things he would appreciate most about you have nothing to do with football; it’s about who you are as a person. You’re a role model for today’s youth, a family man, and a humanitarian who cares for his community. My father would tell you these are the important things in life, not some record in a book.
Continue to be a leader for your team and the City of New Orleans. You’re a great quarterback but even better man. Stay healthy and safe this week and in the future. My family and I will be watching Sunday night cheering for you. Best of luck.
Sincerely,
Joe Unitas
I wanted to take a minute to congratulate you on tying my father’s record for most consecutive games with a touchdown pass. I’ve been following your pursuit of the record since last season. I’m a big fan of yours, and wish you the best Sunday night against San Diego as you try to break the record. My father always said that records were meant to be broken. I know that if he was still with us that he would wish you the best as well.
When I look back on my father’s life I remember a man who was much bigger than the game of football. The things he would appreciate most about you have nothing to do with football; it’s about who you are as a person. You’re a role model for today’s youth, a family man, and a humanitarian who cares for his community. My father would tell you these are the important things in life, not some record in a book.