Marty Domres, the Baltimore Colts quarterback tasked with replacing an aging John Unitas on the field, died Oct. 13 after a long illness. The Reisterstown resident was 78.
A first-round draft pick of the San Diego Chargers in 1969, Domres was dealt to the Colts in 1972. Expected to understudy Unitas, then 39, Domres became a starter in midseason during a shake-up of the 1-4 team by new owner Robert Irsay. Buoyed by the Columbia University grad, who was booed mercilessly by Unitas’ fans, the Colts split their next six games before the last home contest against the Buffalo Bills — and the final game for Unitas at Memorial Stadium, though the odds of his playing that day were slim.
“That game was the highlight of my career,” Domres told The Baltimore Sun in 2009. He passed for three touchdowns and rushed for a fourth as the Colts led 28-0. But after that last score, a 15-yard run, Domres limped off the field, feigning injury. His act allowed Unitas to come off the bench and throw a 63-yard touchdown pass to Eddie Hinton. The crowd went nuts.
“The noise? I can’t imagine any sporting event having that decibel level,” Domres recalled. “When John trotted back off the field, all of us had tears in our eyes. I remember every second. It was an unbelievably moving experience and the most memorable event of my [nine-year] career.”
For his part in that game, Domres was named NFL Offensive Player of the Week.
A bright Ivy Leaguer, he squared off against the blustery Irsay during the quarterback’s four years in Baltimore. Once, after a forgettable preseason loss to the Atlanta Falcons in 1973, Domres was publicly berated by the owner in the locker room. Domres lashed back, telling Irsay, “You don’t know if the football is blown up or stuffed.”
Gradually, his playing time diminished in favor of Bert Jones, the team’s No. 1 draft choice in 1973. But Domres finished that year on the rise, leading the Colts (4-10) to successive season-ending victories over the soon-to-be-Super Bowl champion Miami Dolphins and New England Patriots.
Domres was quick to help his successor’s transition from college to the pros, said Jones, the NFL Most Valuable Player in 1976.
“I valued Marty’s friendship,” said Jones, 74. “It’s hard to compete with somebody and still be friends. But Marty was someone I could always rely on to give me information that was good.”
“He had a quick wit, and we had a lot of belly laughs together. Once, before we left for a road game, I let all of the air out of the tires of his car at the airport. Marty never knew who did it, but now that he’s on the other side, I fear he’s gained that knowledge — so I’m looking over my shoulder.”
Before the 1976 season, Domres was dealt to the San Francisco 49ers and retired from football in 1978. All told, for the Colts, he completed 51% of his passes for 3,471 yards and 21 touchdowns.
He settled in Baltimore and worked as a financial adviser for Deutsche Bank Alex. Brown. Domres remained friends with Unitas and played golf with the Hall of Famer at Hillendale Country Club.
“I saw John at his house, not long before he passed away [in 2002],” Domres once told The Sun. “He was wearing a golf outfit, so I figured he was going out to play a round.
“John said, ‘No, knucklehead, I’m going to church, like I do every morning.’
“I said, ‘Say a prayer for me.’ ”
Unitas frowned.
“I’d have to say a rosary for you,” he answered.
Two days later, Unitas died of a heart attack. Domres attended the funeral.
Domres is survived by his wife, Cheryl Domres, of Reisterstown, and a stepson, Christian Cummings, of Stevenson.
A memorial service will be held Oct. 30 at 11 a.m. at St. Joseph Parish, 100 Church Lane, Cockeysville.
Have a news tip? Contact Mike Klingaman at jklingaman@baltsun.com and 410-332-6456.
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