By Rennie Friedlander
Fred Kail, a legendary artist whose bronze statues of Johnny Unitas and Ray Lewis sit outside of Baltimore’s M&T Bank Stadium, passed away peacefully on Jan. 5, 2026, at the age of 89 surrounded by his devoted family.
Born in 1937, Kail’s life was defined by a tenacity that matched that of the athletes he would later immortalize. At the age of 15, he contracted polio. Despite his physicians predicting that he would never walk again, he did, driven by a passion for football that eventually saw him back on the field playing in a leg brace. He brought the same grit to the Maryland Institute College of Art, from which he graduated in 1959, and throughout a career that would span more than half a century.
That same tenacity drove Kail to work tirelessly in his studio to prepare a new collection of work — a final testament to a creative spirit that remained vibrant and prolific until his death.
A Pioneer Of Sports Art
While still a student, Kail pioneered the notion of sports collectibles, creating the first “Joe Jolter” football figurines. These figurines became a sensation among Baltimore Colts players and fans alike. Through this work, Kail forged lifelong friendships with legends of the game, including Art Donovan, Lenny Moore, Andy Nelson, Elmer Wingate, Gino Marchetti and Johnny Unitas. To this day, Kail’s “Joe Jolter” figurines remain highly desirable collectibles to both sports fans and art enthusiasts.
In addition to his monumental works at M&T Stadium, Fred also profoundly touched the world of college sports by designing the prestigious Tewaaraton Trophy, the highest individual honor awarded annually to the nation’s top male and female lacrosse players.
Fine Art and Design
In addition to his prowess as a sculptor, Kail was also a master painter. He served for many years as the president and creative director of Telesis, a graphic design firm in Baltimore. Telesis maintained a diverse portfolio including iconic logos, trademarks and corporate marketing films.
His work remains in the permanent collections of the Pro Football Hall of Fame, the National Lacrosse Hall of Fame and Museum and the National Art Museum of Sport.
Photo Credit: Courtesy of the Kail Family
Issue 297: February / March 2026
Originally published Feb. 18, 2026