While a boy; Johnny Unitas was my favorite football player. I became a 49er fan after John left the game and my home town loyalties kicked in. I grew up a Colts fan because of Unitas' play during a game in the 1960s. Unitas was sacked violently and left the field. His nose was bashed in and heavily bleeding. Unitas returned to the game and threw the winning touchdown. That impressed a boy age 6. I learned later his nose bled so badly a teammate stuffed mud and other ingredients in it to stop the flow. I've studied Unitas since and know a great deal about the man; and the player. John played with broken ribs, a index finger and other body parts. Unitas refused to quit. He faced adversity early. Unitas was deemed to dumb to play the position, after signing his first contract to play with Pittsburgh. Unitas did not listen to his detractors.
Deacon Jones a fellow Hall of Player and Unita's peer said of him: There was no way to beat him. If you tried to rattle him by hitting him, he'd get back up. If you tried to rush him out of the pocket, he was able to improvise. Some said making him throw deep was the answer - because Unitas supposedly didn't have the arm strength - but he hit Raymond Berry or John Mackey in stride down the field every time.
I have a football autographed by John that sits in my office below a group of candid B&W pictures of Unitas. My favorite is Unitas going to work. (See above) The others show Unitas in similar situations - down to earth and humble. John showed no ego.
What most impresses me about Unitas was not his command of the game or his accomplishments on the field - those are significant and easy to revere. John's toughness is legendary and impressive, but that's not his most admirable quality. Johnny Unitas' most admirable quality, is a trait rare in today's game. It's even more rare when comparing Unitas against today's players.
Johnny Unitas never complained.
Unitas was grateful to play football and said so repeatedly. Except for when the Irsays moved his beloved team in the middle of the night; no one heard complaint from Unitas. Unitas kept trying - no matter what he faced. He refused to yield when adversity came. He methodically used his abilities and the abilities of his teammates to win games in a sport he was "grateful" to play.
I've seen a similar quality in Alex Smith. I don't hear whining. I haven't seen quit. No matter what occurs, Alex keeps trying. Alex has faced a lot. I needn't recount the adversity he faced. The Forty Niners will benefit from having Alex Smith going forward because all he faced has toughened him. Adversity has motivated him to work harder, practice and study more. His work to run a training camp last year was evidence how committed he is to the 49ers - and success. His struggles have prepared him for the successes to come.
Success is earned - it's not a matter of luck, happenstance, or athletic prowess. Success is a product of overcoming; adversity, mistakes, and a burning desire to SUCCEED. The current status of the Forty Niner organization is also ripe for success. The new coaching staff, players, management, and game planning have shown success is possible. Kyle Williams notwithstanding (Hopefully) this team is ready for a Super Bowl appearance. After all Alex has endured, he did not complain. He approached his job professionally and with passion. Even after his accurate, albeit restricted, play last season - the Peyton Manning question arose. Alex did not criticize the team or single out an individual, nor did he act in any way to the team's detriment, or his own.
I strongly suspect Coach Harbaugh had all the players on a short lease last year. The absence of a pre-season and other factors contributed to a playing Not to Lose mentality. A "less-than' WR corp limited options too. That mentality is about to change.
Alex has endured as much adversity as any QB - and more than most. Alex must have little room in his focus for petty retribution - if he did, we'd hear about it. Alex has behaved like a professional. The hardships he faced may have diminished his performance at times, but he worked thru them. It takes a team to win - and lose. With a supportive coach the team improved, and Alex had his best season - this despite a limited training camp, pre-season, and a dubious WR corps. Alex's play contributed to a victory over arguably the NFL's best team.
This year the offensive scheme will expand and Alex will have more latitude. He will also have a veteran corps of WRs. IF last year were an indication, Alex will rise to meet the challenges - and opportunities. I expect great things and I'm confident Alex does too.
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