Dundalk Loved Johnny U!

So, I will be starting a group of articles on the blog that highlight some of Dundalk’s greatest and weirdest “Tales from the Past”.  I would love for you to email me stories, ideas, and rumors about our past and please include a picture if you can.

First up, is my all-time favorite story of Johnny Unitas at the Heritage Parade.

On the 4th of July, many, many years ago, Johnny Unitas would ride in a convertible and wave to every citizen he passed.  Unitas used to work down Bethlehem Steel and was a hero in Dundalk and around Baltimore.

Well, would you believe, that”Golden Arm’s” car broke down on the parade route?  It did.  As it broke down, Unitas himself climbed out of the car to push the vehicle off the parade route area and to walk back.  Well, the citizens of Dundalk wouldn’t allow that to happen.  A few neighbors approached Johnny Unitas with the idea that they would push Unitas the rest of the route (approx 1.2 miles) in the car.  Unitas wanted to refuse, but the citizens urged him on.  Well, from the stories that have been told, Unitas was not pushed by the same citizens, but that Dundalk’s best would come out in the street each block and help to push him along.  Sort of like a Unitas Car Pushing Assembly Line.  That way no family missed any part of the parade, but also go to push “greatness” down the street and contribute to the parade.  I tell this story every time I go to a Raven’s game or talk football.  It gives me chills just thinking about how selfless citizens of our community can be sometimes.

In Dundalk, if you are an honest, humble, and integral person, they will love you forever.  Johnny Unitas fit that description.

So, what other stories can I tell?  Send me comments, or email me at thedundalkdaily@gmail.com