Joe Namath

Joseph William Namath
Born:
May 31, 1943
Birthplace:
Beaver Falls, Pennsylvania
College:
Alabama
Best Known As:
Professional football's "Broadway
Joe"
Quarterback Joe
Namath played American football from 1965 to 1977, but it was his
performance in 1969's Super Bowl III that catapulted him to
stardom and cemented his place in sports history. Namath was a
star quarterback at the University of Alabama, where he played for
legendary coach Paul "Bear" Bryant and led the team to a 29-4
record in three seasons. In 1965 he won the Most Valuable Player
award after Alabama's loss at the Orange Bowl, and almost
immediately signed a contract to play with the New York Jets of
the American Football League.
At the time the
league was overshadowed by the National Football League (they
later merged), and Namath's natural charisma and swagger brought
more public attention to the AFL. When the Jets made it to the
Super Bowl in 1969, it was assumed the NFL's Baltimore Colts (Lead
by Johnny
Unitas) would win the contest with ease. Namath made
headlines by proclaiming in public that he could "guarantee" a
Jets victory. Namath dominated the game, the Jets beat the Colts
in a stunning upset and Namath was named the game's Most Valuable
Player.
Namath always wore
the number 12... In 1965 he was voted Rookie-of-the-Year... In
Super Bowl III he went 17 of 28 in passing, for 206 yards... Over
the course of his career he passed for more than 27,000 yards...
In 1985 he was inducted into the Professional Football Hall of
Fame.
Source:
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