Mariota Collects Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award Before Heading to NYC Saturday
by Rob Moseley
Editor, GoDucks.com
Photos by Andy McNamara
BALTIMORE — On Friday morning, Marcus Mariota took a tour of a Maryland sports museum, to ensure he understood the significance of the award he'd receive later in the day named for the late Baltimore Colts quarterback Johnny Unitas.
As it turns out, "I was introduced to Johnny Unitas at 8 or 9," Mariota informed the audience at the presentation ceremony Friday evening. As a kid in Hawaii, Mariota had a DVD of great Super Bowl and NFL Championship games, including the legendary "Greatest Game Every Played" in which Unitas led the Colts over the Giants in overtime for the 1958 title.
"To see that man and what he was able to do, and now to say I'm a part of this family, is very special," Mariota said from the podium in accepting the Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award. "I'm truly grateful and thankful."
Mariota with Joe Ehrmann, John Unitas Jr. and Raymond Berry
Mariota's acceptance remarks capped another whirlwind day on his trip to receive several major postseason college football awards. He was named Walter Camp Football Foundation player of the year Thursday afternoon, won the Maxwell Award and Davey O'Brien National Quarterback Award in Orlando on Thursday evening, and was in Baltimore on Friday for the Unitas Award.
On Saturday, Mariota and a contingent of UO staff headlined by offensive coordinator Scott Frost will head to New York, where they'll be joined by UO coach Mark Helfrich and Mariota's parents for the Heisman Trophy presentation.
Mariota received the Unitas Award in part because of his "character, integrity, citizenship, scholarship," John Unitas Jr. told the audience Thursday evening, noting that some have wondered lately whether they should be considered more heavily by Heisman voters. "I say yes," Unitas Jr. said. "And Marcus, you not only deserve the Golden Arm, you deserve — hands down — the Heisman. And we wish you luck in your next journey."
Unitas Jr. added that "in every way, Marcus measures up to the high standards for which my father stood. I know my father would be proud to see him receive this award tonight."
Mariota was named winner of the Unitas Award on Monday, before receiving it Friday.
"What a great honor," he told the audience. "I'm truly humbled and thankful to be here. Thank you John Unitas and the rest of the foundation for allowing me to be here. It's been such a blessing. The city of Baltimore has been great; the hospitality has been awesome."
Mariota's evening began with interviews by local and national media. He then spent several minutes posing for photos with the guests in attendance, and signing autographs. Among those in attendance was Sylvia Mackey, wife of the late Colts tight end John Mackey.
Once the presentation ceremony began, it included remarks by former Colts receiver, Pro Football Hall of Famer and NFL head coach Raymond Berry. He listed some of Unitas' best traits, tacitly drawing several parallels with Mariota.
"He would run when the defense thought he would pass, and pass when the defense thought he would run," Berry said of Unitas, who won four NFL championships and held every major passing record at the time of his retirement. "He was totally unpredictable, and he drove defenses nuts. The other thing he did was spread the ball around. He'd hit the halfback, the fullback, the left end, the right end, the flanker — it was a total variety approach.
"Also, when he reared back to throw the ball, it 90 percent of the time hit the target. I don't know about the other 10 percent; somebody may have hit him."
