The state of Kentucky has a rich sports heritage, though it does not have any professional teams in any of America’s major leagues.
The Bluegrass State, as it’s also known, has a renowned college basketball culture, with the Kentucky Wildcats one of the most successful programs in the NCAA. While the football programs are not as successful, they are notable enough and KY can still boast some of the best players in NFL history as a state and through its colleges, some of whom have made it into the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
In this article, we take a look at the careers of three such players, namely Johnny Unitas, George McAfee, and Demontti Dawson.
Unitas is one of the most iconic quarterbacks to ever play in the NFL. Throughout his career, the former QB, now deceased, set numerous records and earned many accolades, including three NFL championships and three Most Valuable Player awards, while being selected to 10 Pro Bowls.
Despite being a ninth-round pick and facing a devastating elbow injury during the 1968 preseason, Unitas battled his way back to play in two Super Bowls, winning Super Bowl V with the Baltimore Colts in 1971.
At the time of his retirement, Unitas ranked first in NFL history in pass attempts, pass completions, passing yards, and touchdown passes. His record for 47 consecutive games with at least one touchdown pass stood for over 50 years until Drew Brees surpassed it in 2012. Unitas’s impact on the game of football is immeasurable, and his legacy as one of the all-time greats will forever be remembered.
After discussing these legendary figures, it's interesting to note how today's Kentucky fans engage with the sport. With the rise of legal sports betting, there are now numerous sportsbook promos available to Kentucky fans, offering them new ways to connect with the game and its current stars like Will Levis and Montez Sweat.
McAfee, a halfback for the Chicago Bears in the 1940s, was known for his explosive playmaking ability.
While not having the physical stature of the average NFL player, McAfee established himself as a dynamic threat every time he touched the ball. In his first exhibition game, he returned a punt 75 yards for a touchdown to secure a victory for his team. And in the 1940 regular-season opener, he ran back a kickoff 93 yards and threw a touchdown pass in a decisive victory over the Green Bay Packers.
McAfee’s contributions to the Bears’ historic 73-0 rout of the Washington Redskins in the 1940 NFL Championship Game included a 35-yard interception return for a touchdown. Despite a relatively short career, McAfee left a lasting impact on the game of football, earning a reputation as one of the most versatile and exciting players of his era.
Dawson, a center for the Pittsburgh Steelers from 1988 to 2000, was a key member of the team’s offensive line for over a decade. Although a knee injury marred his rookie season, Dawson quickly established himself as a reliable starter for the Steelers.
He earned his first Pro Bowl selection in 1992, marking the beginning of a streak of seven consecutive Pro Bowl invitations. Dawson was also named co-AFC Offensive Lineman of the Year by the NFL Players Association in 1993 and earned six consecutive All-NFL honors. He played a crucial role in the Steelers’ success during the 1990s, including helping to lead the team to its first Super Bowl appearance since 1979 in 1995. Dawson’s impact on the field was evident, as he helped the Steelers lead the league in rushing twice during his career.
These three players represent some of the best to ever play the game of football. Their contributions to the sport cannot be overstated, and their legacies will continue to inspire future generations of football players and fans.
In addition to Unitas, McAfee, and Dawson, there have been several other notable football players who have deep roots in Kentucky. For instance, Tim Couch, who played college football at the University of Kentucky, was the first overall pick in the 1999 NFL Draft by the Cleveland Browns. Although his NFL career was cut short due to injuries, Couch remains one of the most accomplished quarterbacks in Kentucky Wildcats history.
Another player with strong ties to Kentucky is Shaun Alexander. Alexander played high school football in Florence, Kentucky, before moving on to the University of Alabama. He was drafted by the Seattle Seahawks in 2000 and went on to have a successful NFL career, earning three Pro Bowl selections and being named the NFL Most Valuable Player (MVP) in 2005. Alexander's induction into the Kentucky Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2015 was a testament to his impact on the game of football in the state.
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