Jerry Richardson, Baltimore Colts, 1959.

SAN FRANCISCO — It was the summer of 1959, and a young receiver on the Baltimore Colts had earned a special distinction. Johnny Unitas had taken a liking to him.

“Probably because he was catching everything,” explains Hall of Famer Raymond Berry, one of the veteran receivers on that team. “John kind of liked those guys who caught everything.”

The kid had a good mind for the game, too, and experience playing in a collegiate offense that passed the football, something of a novelty in those days. A 13th-round draft pick, he’d come to Baltimore without a car. So The Golden Arm would pick him up and drive him to practice every morning. That was nothing compared to the favor Unitas did for him in one of the preseason games: He threw him the ball; seven catches in a half.

The Colts had won the NFL Championship in 1958—in the Greatest Game Ever Played—and this kid would be a part of the following year’s run. He got the last receiver spot on the roster, thanks in large part to Unitas. Baltimore ran a double-wing offense in those days, lining up four receivers across the formation. Berry was split out on the left, and the kid lined up on the same side in the slot.

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