60 YEARS AGO TODAY:
1/2/65 – The New York Jets sign Joe Namath to a three year contract for $427,000, a record at the time
Namath stayed with The Jets for 12 years, played in 136 games and threw 170 touch down passes. In all, he passed for just over 27,000 yards. (His pass completion rate was right at 50%.)
In 1967, he became the first quarterback in history to pass for over 4000 yards (it was 4007 for the record) in a 14-game season. That record stood until 1979 when the season was expanded in 16 games and Dan Fouts threw for 4082.) In all, Namath led the league in passing three times ... and was a four-time All-Star. Namath won Rookie Of The Year honors in 1965.
Most would agree, however, that the high point of Broadway Joe's career was his performance in Super Bowl III, when the New York Jets beat The Baltimore Colts 16–7. (At the time, the 1968 Colts were being touted as "the greatest football team in history" ... and little attention was being paid to the young quarterback.)
But undeterred, Namath bragged, "We're going to win the game. I guarantee it" ... and the gauntlet was dropped.
Namath went on to back up his boast, completing eight passes alone to George Sauer, Jr., for 133 yards. The Colts defense couldn't contain The Jets' running and passing game, giving up four interceptions in the process.
When the dust had settled, Joe Namath was named the Super Bowl MVP. Incredibly, the win made him the first quarterback to start and win a national championship game in college, a major professional league championship, and a Super Bowl.
Some found it hard to take Broadway Joe seriously ...
But he always proved his point on the playing field!
He became a bit of a fixture on the small screen, too, making frequent appearances on The Dean Martin Show, The Flip Wilson Show, The Sonny and Cher Comedy Hour, and even hosting his OWN shows, The Joe Namath Show (1969) and The Waverly Wonders (1978). He played himself in numerous other television outings and filled in as the host of The Tonight Show on several occasions. He'll turn 82 years old this May.
