Hall of Fame quarterback Joe Namath made news last week when he was critical of New York Jets QB Zach Wilson’s play this season. Injured quarterback Aaron Rodgers responded to Namath’s comments, saying the team needed to stick together when criticism comes from fans and former players.
Let’s take a look at Namath’s career and his connection to the Jets.
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When Did Joe Namath Play for the Jets?
Namath was drafted first overall in the 1965 AFL Draft by the Jets after playing for Paul “Bear” Bryant at Alabama. His signing with the Jets was significant for the AFL, as the new league was trying to compete with the established NFL. Namath had an offer from the NFL’s St. Louis Cardinals but accepted a deal with the Jets worth over $400,000. This was the biggest rookie contract in any American sport at the time.
Namath was nicknamed “Broadway Joe” by Jets teammate Sherman Plunkett after the quarterback appeared on the cover of Sports Illustrated with the bright lights of New York City in the background.
— Joe Namath (@RealJoeNamath) December 2, 2020
The nickname was a perfect match for Namath’s big personality and love for New York nightlife. He also endorsed several products, including a pantyhose commercial. You can see it here.
How Namath’s Guarantee Changed Pro Football
The Jets were representing the AFC in Super Bowl III against the NFL-champion Baltimore Colts. The Green Bay Packers, who represented the NFL, easily won the first two Super Bowls, giving the perception that the AFL was an inferior league. The Colts finished the regular season 13-1 and were 18-point favorites against the Jets.
MORE: New York Jets Depth Chart
Namath was sitting by a hotel pool talking with reporters during the week leading up to the game. He guaranteed a win when reporters asked him if the 11-3 Jets could compete with the Colts. The Jets won the game 16-7 for the franchise’s only Super Bowl title. Namath completed 17 of 28 passes for 208 yards and was named Super Bowl MVP.
The Jets’ win had a great impact on merger talks between the AFL and NFL, which wanted the AFC to be the 10 AFL teams and the NFC to be the 16 NFL teams. The AFL wanted each conference to have 13 teams, and the Super Bowl III win gave the league the leverage it needed to get even conferences in the merger.
How Did Namath Perform in His Career?
Namath played 13 seasons from 1965 to 1977 and was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1985. In 1967, he was the first quarterback to have more than 4,000 pass yards in a season. In the Super Bowl-winning campaign, Namath was named AFL Player of the Year after passing for 3,147 yards and 15 touchdowns.
Namath made the Hall of Fame despite throwing more interceptions (220) than touchdowns (173) in his career. His record as a quarterback was 62-63-4 in regular-season games.
Before playing one final season with the Los Angeles Rams, Namath played 12 seasons in New York while missing several games with knee injuries.
