Unitas

That, of course, was heresy, since Namath played for the AFL’s New York Jets and the big boys from the NFL champion Baltimore Colts, led by Johnny Unitas, were 19-point favorites.

In keeping with his fearless playing style, Tarkenton dived in with abandon, using his opening monologue to unflinchingly belt out a version of “Feelings” that was flat as a Johnny Unitas haircut.

“You had Johnny Unitas, you had Brooks Robinson, you had Wes Unseld. You had these three really great teams.”

A 27-17 win over the Raiders sent the Colts back again, with future NFL coach Ray Perkins catching a long touchdown pass from Unitas on the worn-down field at Memorial Stadium.

Irsay has been a fixture around team headquarters since his father bought the Los Angeles Rams and swapped franchises with the late Carroll Rosenbloom to acquire the Colts, starting his career as a ballboy when Hall of Fame quarterback John Unitas was still playing in Baltimore.