Joseph William Namath was born on May 31, 1943 in Beaver
Falls, Pennsylvania. After starring for Paul "Bear" Bryant's Alabama
Crimson Tide football teams in the 1960s, Namath was drafted by both the NFL’s
St. Louis Cardinals and the rival AFL’s New York Jets in 1965. Namath, known as
a brash performer in college, signed with the Jets for a then-record $450,000
and gave the upstart, struggling AFL instant credibility in its war with the
NFL. Although he didn't turn the Jets into instant winners, he did improve
their fortunes his first three years in the league. Namath delivered on his
promise as one of the most exciting players in the AFL, by becoming the first
quarterback in history to pass for more than 4,000 yards. Namath was also popular
off the field, especially with the ladies and was known for his love of the New
York nightlife. Because of this, he was dubbed "Broadway Joe" by the
New York press. Namath gained his legend with not only his performance, but his
mouth. After leading the Jets to the AFL championship over the Oakland Raiders,
Namath, weary of all the press knocking him and his team and openly favoring
the NFL champion Baltimore Colts, boldly lashed out and predicted victory for
him and the Jets in the Super Bowl. In the game that many felt made the Super
Bowl the spectacle it is today, Namath and the Jets were nearly flawless in
beating the 17-point favorite Colts, 16-7 and made Namath a household name.
Namath continued his all-star performances in New York, although he never again
played in the Super Bowl. For several years, he was the entertainer of the NFL and
even dabbled in movies and television including his only Euro-western “The Last
Rebel” (1970. He was traded to the Los Angeles Rams in 1977, but his failing
knees finally gave out and he retired at the end of the season. Namath was
elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1985 and, for a few years, was a
member of ABC's "NFL Monday Night Football" (1970) crew. Namath now
lives in Florida. Today we celebrate Joe Namath’s 70th birthday.
Friday, May 31, 2013
Happy 70th Birthday Joe Namath
Joseph William Namath was born on May 31, 1943 in Beaver
Falls, Pennsylvania. After starring for Paul "Bear" Bryant's Alabama
Crimson Tide football teams in the 1960s, Namath was drafted by both the NFL’s
St. Louis Cardinals and the rival AFL’s New York Jets in 1965. Namath, known as
a brash performer in college, signed with the Jets for a then-record $450,000
and gave the upstart, struggling AFL instant credibility in its war with the
NFL. Although he didn't turn the Jets into instant winners, he did improve
their fortunes his first three years in the league. Namath delivered on his
promise as one of the most exciting players in the AFL, by becoming the first
quarterback in history to pass for more than 4,000 yards. Namath was also popular
off the field, especially with the ladies and was known for his love of the New
York nightlife. Because of this, he was dubbed "Broadway Joe" by the
New York press. Namath gained his legend with not only his performance, but his
mouth. After leading the Jets to the AFL championship over the Oakland Raiders,
Namath, weary of all the press knocking him and his team and openly favoring
the NFL champion Baltimore Colts, boldly lashed out and predicted victory for
him and the Jets in the Super Bowl. In the game that many felt made the Super
Bowl the spectacle it is today, Namath and the Jets were nearly flawless in
beating the 17-point favorite Colts, 16-7 and made Namath a household name.
Namath continued his all-star performances in New York, although he never again
played in the Super Bowl. For several years, he was the entertainer of the NFL and
even dabbled in movies and television including his only Euro-western “The Last
Rebel” (1970. He was traded to the Los Angeles Rams in 1977, but his failing
knees finally gave out and he retired at the end of the season. Namath was
elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1985 and, for a few years, was a
member of ABC's "NFL Monday Night Football" (1970) crew. Namath now
lives in Florida. Today we celebrate Joe Namath’s 70th birthday.
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