Joe Namath facts for kids
Namath as a rookie with the Jets in 1965
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| No. 12 | |||||||||||||
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| Position: | Quarterback | ||||||||||||
| Personal information | |||||||||||||
| Born: | May 31, 1943 Beaver Falls, Pennsylvania, U.S. |
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| Height: | 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) | ||||||||||||
| Weight: | 200 lb (91 kg) | ||||||||||||
| Career information | |||||||||||||
| High school: | Beaver Falls (Beaver Falls, Pennsylvania) |
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| College: | Alabama (1961–1964) | ||||||||||||
| NFL Draft: | 1965 / Round: 1 / Pick: 12 | ||||||||||||
| AFL draft: | 1965 / Round: 1 / Pick: 1 | ||||||||||||
| Career history | |||||||||||||
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| Career highlights and awards | |||||||||||||
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| Career AFL/NFL statistics | |||||||||||||
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| Player stats at PFR | |||||||||||||
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Pro Football Hall of Fame
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Joseph William Namath (born May 31, 1943), also known as "Broadway Joe", is a famous American football quarterback. He played for 13 seasons in the American Football League (AFL) and the National Football League (NFL). He is best known for his time with the New York Jets.
Namath played college football for the Alabama Crimson Tide. As a senior, he helped his team win the national championship. In 1965, the Jets chose him as the first pick in the AFL draft.
During his career, Namath became a star. He was a two-time MVP and led the league in passing yards twice. He led the Jets to an AFL championship and a victory in Super Bowl III. These are still the only championships the Jets have ever won.
Namath became a legend in 1969 when he guaranteed his team would win Super Bowl III. At the time, the Jets were expected to lose badly to the Baltimore Colts. But the Jets won, in one of the biggest upsets in sports history. This victory proved that the AFL teams were just as good as the NFL teams. Namath was named the Super Bowl MVP. He was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1985.
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Early Life and High School
Joe Namath was born and grew up in Beaver Falls, Pennsylvania, a town near Pittsburgh. His parents were Rose and John Namath, who were of Hungarian descent. He was the youngest of four sons and also had an older adopted sister.
At Beaver Falls High School, Namath was a gifted athlete. He was a star quarterback in football, a talented guard in basketball, and a skilled outfielder in baseball. He was so good at basketball that he could regularly dunk, which was rare for high school players at the time.
When he graduated in 1961, many Major League Baseball teams wanted to sign him. Namath said he wanted to play baseball for the Pittsburgh Pirates like his hero, Roberto Clemente. However, his mother wanted him to get a college education, so he chose to play football instead. He later earned his college degree from the University of Alabama in 2007, at the age of 64.
College Football Career
Many top colleges wanted Namath to play for them. He chose to attend the University of Alabama on a full scholarship. He played for the famous coach Bear Bryant. Coach Bryant later said that recruiting Namath was "the best coaching decision I ever made."
From 1962 to 1964, Namath was the quarterback for the Alabama Crimson Tide. He led the team to a 29–4 record during his three seasons. In his final year, he led the team to a national championship.
When Namath was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1985, he became emotional when talking about Coach Bryant, who had passed away a few years earlier.
College Statistics
| Season | Passing | Rushing | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cmp | Att | Yds | Pct | TD | Int | Rtg | Att | Yds | |
| 1962 | 76 | 146 | 1,192 | 52.1 | 13 | 8 | 139.1 | 70 | 321 |
| 1963 | 63 | 128 | 765 | 49.2 | 7 | 7 | 106.5 | 76 | 201 |
| 1964 | 64 | 100 | 756 | 64.0 | 5 | 4 | 136.0 | 44 | 133 |
| Career | 203 | 374 | 2,713 | 54.3 | 25 | 19 | 127.1 | 190 | 655 |
Professional Football Career
In 1964, two football leagues, the NFL and the AFL, were competing for the best players. Both leagues wanted Namath. The St. Louis Cardinals of the NFL and the New York Jets of the AFL both drafted him.
Namath had to choose which team to play for. He decided to sign with the Jets for a record-breaking salary of $427,000 over three years. A teammate gave him the nickname "Broadway Joe" after he appeared on the cover of Sports Illustrated magazine.
New York Jets
In his first season, Namath was named the AFL Rookie of the Year. In 1967, he became the first quarterback to pass for over 4,000 yards in a single season.
Namath was known for playing through painful knee injuries. He had four knee operations during his career but was still an AFL All-Star four times. Sometimes, he had to have his knee drained at halftime just so he could finish a game.
In the 1968 AFL title game, Namath threw three touchdown passes to lead the Jets to a victory over the Oakland Raiders. This win sent them to the Super Bowl.
The Famous Super Bowl III
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The biggest moment of Namath's career came in Super Bowl III in January 1969. The Jets were playing the Baltimore Colts. Almost everyone thought the Colts would win easily. Many experts believed the AFL was not as good as the NFL.
Three days before the game, Namath got tired of hearing that his team would lose. He famously told a heckler, "We're going to win the game. I guarantee it."
Namath kept his promise. The Jets' offense played well, and their defense intercepted the Colts four times. The Jets won the game 16–7. Namath was named the Super Bowl MVP. This victory proved that the AFL was a strong league and gave it instant respect.
Later Years with the Jets
After his big Super Bowl win, Namath struggled with injuries. Between 1970 and 1973, he missed many games. However, he still had some memorable moments.
In 1972, he played against his childhood hero, Johnny Unitas. In that game, Namath threw for 496 yards and six touchdowns. The Jets won 44–34 in what is considered one of the greatest passing games in NFL history.
Los Angeles Rams
After 12 seasons with the Jets, Namath joined the Los Angeles Rams for his final season in 1977. Injuries had taken a toll on his body. After a few games, he was benched and retired at the end of the season.
Acting and Media Career
With his "Broadway Joe" nickname, it was natural for Namath to try acting. He starred in movies like C.C. and Company and a TV series called The Waverly Wonders.
He also appeared as a guest star on many popular TV shows. These included The Love Boat, The Brady Bunch, The A-Team, and The Simpsons. He also served as a TV commentator for NFL games after he retired from playing.
Legacy and Impact
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Joe Namath was more than just a football player. He was a pop culture icon. With his exciting playing style, fashionable clothes, and friendly personality, he became one of the first sports superstars.
He was known for his unique style. He wore low-cut white football shoes instead of the usual black high-tops. He also famously wore a full-length fur coat on the sidelines, a look that became iconic.
Namath appeared in many popular TV commercials for brands like Ovaltine and Hanes. These ads made him even more famous. Today, he continues to be a goodwill ambassador for the New York Jets.
Personal Life
In 1984, Namath married Deborah Mays, an aspiring actress. They had two daughters, Jessica and Olivia. The couple later divorced, and Namath raised his children in Florida. He is now a grandfather.
After his Super Bowl win in 1969, Namath opened a popular nightclub called Bachelors III. The NFL was concerned about the nightclub's image. Commissioner Pete Rozelle ordered Namath to sell his share of the business. At first, Namath refused and even announced his retirement from football. However, he soon changed his mind, sold the club, and returned to the Jets.
Namath currently lives in Tequesta, Florida.
See also
In Spanish: Joe Namath para niños
- List of American Football League players
- Namath: From Beaver Falls to Broadway
- Living former players diagnosed with or reporting symptoms of chronic traumatic encephalopathy
