Joe Namath

Namath was born and raised in Beaver Falls, Pennsylvania, 30 miles (50 km) northwest of Pittsburgh. He grew up in the Lower End neighborhood of Beaver Falls.{{Cite web |last=Schwartz |first=Larry |title=SportsCentury Biography – Namath was lovable rogue |url=https://www.espn.com/classic/biography/s/namath_joe.html |access-date=March 5, 2014 |website=ESPN.com}} He is the son of Catholic parents, Rose (née Juhász) and János "John Andrew" Namath, a steelworker, both of Hungarian descent.{{cite web |url=http://pabook.libraries.psu.edu/palitmap/bios/Namath__Joe.html |title=Joe Namath |publisher=Pabook.libraries.psu.edu |access-date=March 5, 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140812045452/http://pabook.libraries.psu.edu/palitmap/bios/Namath__Joe.html |archive-date=August 12, 2014 }} His Hungarian-born grandfather, András "Andrew" Németh, known as "A.J." to his family and friends, came to Ellis Island on the steamer {{RMS|Pannonia|1902|2}} in 1911,{{rp|1}} and worked in the coal and steel industries of the Greater Pittsburgh area.

While growing up, Namath was close to both of his parents, who eventually divorced. Following his parents' divorce, he lived with his mother. He was the youngest of four sons, with an older adopted sister.{{cite journal |url=http://thestacks.deadspin.com/playboys-candid-conversation-with-the-superswinger-qb-1229873187/1256933548 |journal=Playboy |title=Playboy's Candid Conversation with the Superswinger QB, Joe Namath |date=December 1969 |access-date=April 26, 2014 |archive-date=April 27, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140427020212/http://thestacks.deadspin.com/playboys-candid-conversation-with-the-superswinger-qb-1229873187/1256933548 |url-status=dead }}

Namath excelled in all sports at Beaver Falls High School and was a standout quarterback in football, guard in basketball, and outfielder in baseball. In an age when dunks were uncommon in high school basketball, Namath regularly dunked in games. Namath later clarified a story about being the only white player on his high school basketball team on The James Brown Show in 2018, where he was the guest. He stated that although he was one of several white players on the team, he was the only white starter.The James Brown Show, S2 E10, aired November 17, 2018 Coached by Larry Bruno at Beaver Falls, Namath's football team won the WPIAL Class AA championship with a 9–0 record in 1960.{{cite web |author=Rich Vetock |url=http://www.pawrsl.com/pfn/wilson_beaverfall60.htm |title=index.htm |website=Pawrsl.com |access-date=June 16, 2017 |archive-date=March 10, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160310163358/http://www.pawrsl.com/pfn/wilson_beaverfall60.htm |url-status=dead }} Coach Bruno later presented Namath to the Pro Football Hall of Fame in Canton.{{cite news| url=http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/10358/1113358-100.stm | work=Pittsburgh Post-Gazette | title=Larry Bruno, former Beaver Falls coach, dies | date=December 24, 2010}}

Upon graduation from high school in 1961, he received offers from several Major League Baseball teams, including the Yankees, Indians, Reds, Pirates, and Phillies,{{cite book|last=Cannizzaro|first=Mark|title=New York Jets:The Complete Illustrated History|date=2011|publisher=MVP Books|isbn=978-0-7603-4063-9|page=24}} but football prevailed. Namath told interviewers that he wanted to sign with the Pirates and play baseball like his idol, Roberto Clemente, but elected to play football because his mother wanted him to get a college education.{{cite web|last1=DiRoma|first1=Frank Joseph|url=http://pabook.libraries.psu.edu/palitmap/bios/Namath__Joe.html|title=Namath, Joseph William ("Broadway Joe")|publisher=Pennsylvania Center for the Book|access-date=May 27, 2015|date=April 2, 2007|quote=But Namath declined, and opted for college at his mother's request.|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150626030806/http://pabook.libraries.psu.edu/palitmap/bios/Namath__Joe.html|archive-date=June 26, 2015}} He enrolled at the University of Alabama, but left before graduating in order to pursue a career in professional football. However, a college degree was finally conferred on Namath at age 64, after he completed an external-program Bachelor of Arts degree in interdisciplinary studies at the University of Alabama in 2007.{{cite web|title=Football Great Joe Namath Earns College Degree 42 Years Later|url=https://www.foxnews.com/story/football-great-joe-namath-earns-college-degree-42-years-later|publisher=Fox News|access-date=May 27, 2015|date=December 15, 2007}}{{cite news|url=https://www.foxnews.com/story/football-great-joe-namath-earns-college-degree-42-years-later|title=Football great Joe Namath earns college degree 42 years later|publisher=FOX News|date=December 15, 2007|access-date=September 2, 2008}}

Namath had many offers from Division I college football programs, including Penn State, Ohio State, Alabama, and Notre Dame, but initially decided upon the University of Maryland after being heavily recruited by Maryland assistant coach Roland Arrigoni. He was rejected by Maryland because his college-board scores were just below the school's requirements. After ample recruiting by Coach Paul 'Bear' Bryant, Namath accepted a full scholarship to attend Alabama. Bryant stated his decision to recruit Namath was "the best coaching decision I ever made."{{cite web |last=Pinak |first=Patrick |title=Joe Namath Absolutely Belongs in the College Football Hall of Fame |url=https://fanbuzz.com/college-football/sec/alabama/joe-namath-college-hof/ |website=fanbuzz.com |access-date=November 5, 2019}}

Between 1962 and 1964, Namath quarterbacked the Alabama Crimson Tide program under Bryant and his offensive coordinator, Howard Schnellenberger. A year after being suspended for the final two games of the regular season,{{cite web|url=https://pabook.libraries.psu.edu/namath__joe|title=Joe Namath|author=DiRoma, Frank Joseph|access-date=February 13, 2021}} Namath led the Tide to a national championship in 1964. During his time at the University of Alabama, Namath led the team to a 29–4 record over three seasons.{{cite web |title=Alabama Crimson Tide School History |url=https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/schools/alabama/index.html |website=sports-reference.com |publisher=Sports Reference, LLC |access-date=October 31, 2019}}

Bryant called Namath "the greatest athlete I ever coached". When Namath was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1985, he teared up during his induction speech upon mentioning Bryant, who had died of a heart attack in 1983.{{cite web |last1=Rollow |first1=Cooper |title=BROADWAY JOE IN SPOTLIGHT AT HALL |url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/ct-xpm-1985-08-04-8502200930-story.html |website=chicagotribune.com |date=August 4, 1985 |publisher=The Chicago Tribune |access-date=October 30, 2019}}

Namath attended college at the height of the civil rights movement (1955–1968) in the Southern United States.{{cite web |title=New Namath book explores QB's college life during the civil rights movement |url=https://www.bsu.edu/news/press-center/archives/2013/8/historian-pens-book-on-joe-namath |website=bsu.edu |publisher=Ball State University |access-date=October 31, 2019}}

Namath was eleventh in the voting for the 1964 Heisman Trophy, which was won by quarterback John Huarte of Notre Dame.{{cite news|url=http://archives.chicagotribune.com/1964/11/25/page/35/article/huarte-wins-heisman-gridiron-trophy|newspaper=Chicago Tribune|agency=Associated Press|title=Huarte wins Heisman gridiron trophy|date=November 25, 1964|page=1}}{{cite web|url=http://heisman.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=30&path=football|work=Heisman Trophy|title=John Huarte|date=1964|access-date=January 25, 2017}}

In 1964, despite suffering a nagging knee injury in the fourth game of his senior year at Alabama, Namath limped through the undefeated regular season to the Orange Bowl. The cartilage damage to Namath's right knee later designated him class 4-F for the military draft, a deferment from service during the Vietnam War.{{cite news|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=lqxVAAAAIBAJ&pg=6848%2C4091797 |newspaper=Eugene Register-Guard |title=Namath's a pro, but pins dubious |last=Smits |first=Ted |date=June 19, 1966 |page=2B }}{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=Yz4oAAAAIBAJ&pg=7175%2C7108911 |newspaper=Milwaukee Journal |agency=(New York Times) |last=Daley |first=Arthur |title=Army made sure before declaring Namath unfit |date=December 10, 1965 |page=2, final }}{{Dead link|date=June 2024 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}{{cite news|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=WsgyAAAAIBAJ&pg=5059%2C2873017

|newspaper=Ottawa Citizen|agency=Associated Press |title=Army defends Joe Namath stand |date=December 8, 1965 |page=19 }}

In late 1964 the then still separate NFL and upstart AFL were at the height of their bidding war, and held their respective drafts on the same day, November 28. Namath was a first-round draft selection by both leagues: the St. Louis Cardinals selected him 12th overall in the 1965 NFL draft, while the Jets made him the first overall pick in the AFL draft.NFL 2001 Record and Fact Book, Workman Publishing Co, New York, {{ISBN|0-7611-2480-2}}, p. 397

When meeting with executives of the Cardinals, Namath's salary request was $200,000 and a new Lincoln Continental. While initially surprised at Namath's demands, the Cardinals told Namath they would agree to his terms only if he would sign before the Orange Bowl, which would have made Namath ineligible to play in the game.{{cite web|last1=Marvez|first1=Alex|title=Joe Namath almost a Cardinal? 50 years later, the NFL-AFL draft wars that birthed a league|url=http://www.foxsports.com/nfl/story/joe-namath-jets-cardinals-50-years-later-nfl-afl-draft-wars-042815|publisher=Fox Sports.com}} The day after the Orange Bowl, Namath elected to sign with the Jets, under the direction of Sonny Werblin, for a salary of US$427,000 over three years (a pro football record at the time).{{Cite news |date=January 3, 1965 |title=Jets make Namath richest pro rookie |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=wlgmAAAAIBAJ&pg=6067%2C1133246 |work=St. Petersburg Times |page=3C |agency=Associated Press|via=Google News}}{{cite news |url=http://archives.chicagotribune.com/1969/11/26/page/43/article/jets-president-makes-joe-a-400-000-quarterback |newspaper=Chicago Tribune |agency=(book excerpt)|last1=Namath |first1=Joe Willie |last2=Schaap |first2=Dick |author-link2=Dick Schaap |title=Jets' president makes Joe a '$400,000 quarterback' |date=November 26, 1969 |page=7, section 3}} Offensive tackle Sherman Plunkett came up with the nickname "Broadway Joe" in 1965, following Namath's appearance on the cover of Sports Illustrated in July.{{cite magazine |url=https://www.si.com/vault/1965/07/19/606373/showbiz-sonny-and-his-quest-for-stars |magazine=Sports Illustrated |title=Show-biz Sonny and his quest for stars |last=Boyle |first=Robert H. |date=July 19, 1965 |page=66 }}

In Namath's rookie season the 1965 Jets were winless in their first six games with him splitting time with second-year quarterback Mike Taliaferro. With Namath starting full-time they won five of the last eight of a fourteen-game season and Namath was named the AFL Rookie of the year.{{cite news|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=lflNAAAAIBAJ&pg=823%2C7631779 |newspaper=Free Lance Star |location=Fredericksburg |agency=Associated Press |title=Namath says rookie award 'real nice' |date=December 17, 1965 |page=11 }}

He became the first professional quarterback to pass for 4,000 yards in a season when he threw for 4,007 yards during a 14-game season in 1967, a record broken by Dan Fouts in a 16-game season in 1979 (4,082).{{cite web|last=Greenberg|first=Chris|title=Drew Brees Passes Dan Marino: Saints QB Joins Marino, Joe Namath, Dan Fouts In Holding NFL Record|url=https://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/12/27/drew-brees-passes-dan-marino-nfl-passing-record_n_1171613.html|publisher=Huffington Post|access-date=May 27, 2015|date=December 28, 2011}} Although Namath was plagued with knee injuries through much of his career and underwent four pioneering knee operations by Dr. James A. Nicholas, he was an AFL All-Star in 1965, 1967, 1968, and 1969. On some occasions, Namath had to have his knee drained at halftime so he could finish a game. Later in life, long after he left football, he underwent knee replacement surgery on both legs.

In the 1968 AFL title game, Namath threw three touchdown passes to lead New York to a 27–23 win over the defending AFL champion Oakland Raiders. His performance in the 1968 season earned him the Hickok Belt as top professional athlete of the year. He was an AFC–NFC Pro Bowler in 1972, is a member of the Jets' and the American Football League's All-Time Team, and was elected to the Hall of Fame in 1985.{{Cite web | url=https://www.profootballhof.com/players/joe-namath/ | title=Joe Namath – Class of 1985 | publisher=Pro Football Hall of Fame | access-date=April 24, 2023}}

File:1986 Jeno's Pizza - 37 - Joe Namath (Joe Namath crop).jpg in Super Bowl III in 1969]]

The high point of Namath's career was his performance in the Jets' 16–7 win over the Baltimore Colts in Super Bowl III in January 1969, shortly before the AFL–NFL merger. The first two interleague championship games had resulted in blowout victories for the NFL's Green Bay Packers, and sports writers from NFL cities insisted the AFL would take several more years to be truly competitive. The 1968 Colts were touted as "the greatest football team in history", and former NFL star and Atlanta Falcons head coach Norm Van Brocklin ridiculed the AFL before the game, saying "I'll tell you what I think about Joe Namath on Sunday night—after he has played his first pro game."{{cite web |title=HE GUARANTEED IT |url=https://www.profootballhof.com/news/he-guaranteed-it1/ |website=PROFOOTBALLHOF.COM |publisher=Pro Football Hall of Fame |access-date=October 30, 2019}} Three days before the game, Namath was tired of addressing the issue in the press, and he responded to a heckler at a sports banquet in Miami with the line: "We're going to win the game. I guarantee it."{{cite web |last=Saraceno |first=Jon |title=Joe Namath Relives His Super Bowl Guarantee |url=https://www.aarp.org/politics-society/history/info-2019/joe-namath-super-bowl.html |publisher=AARP |access-date=October 30, 2019}}

Namath backed up his boast, which became legendary.{{cite news|last=Zinser |first=Lynn |title=Pregame Talk Is Cheap, but This Vow Resonates |date=May 25, 2012 |newspaper=The New York Times |page=B10 |url=http://www.nytimes.com/2012/05/25/sports/hockey/mark-messiers-vow-set-the-bar-for-sports-guarantees.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220622020207/https://www.nytimes.com/2012/05/25/sports/hockey/mark-messiers-vow-set-the-bar-for-sports-guarantees.html |archive-date=June 22, 2022 |url-status=dead }} The Colts' vaunted defense (highlighted by Bubba Smith) was unable to contain either the Jets' running or passing game, while the ineffective offense gave up four interceptions to the Jets. Namath was the Super Bowl MVP, completing eight passes to George Sauer Jr. alone for 133 yards. 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.

The Jets' win gave the AFL instant legitimacy even to skeptics. When he was asked by reporters after the game whether the Colts' defense was the "toughest he had ever faced", Namath responded, "That would be the Buffalo Bills' defense." The AFL-worst Bills had intercepted Namath five times, three for touchdowns, in their only win in 1968 in late September.

After not missing a single game because of injury in his first five years in the league, Namath played in just 28 of 58 possible games between 1970 and 1973 because of various injuries. After winning division championships in 1968 and 1969, the Jets struggled to records of 4–10, 6–8, 7–7, and 4–10. His most memorable moment in those four seasons came on September 24, 1972, when he and his boyhood idol Johnny Unitas combined for 872 passing yards in Baltimore. Namath threw for 496 yards and six touchdowns and Unitas 376 yards and three in a 44–34 New York victory over the Colts, its first against Baltimore since Super Bowl III. The game is considered by many NFL experts to be the finest display of passing in a single game in league history.{{rp|346}} Another notable moment was in 1970, when the head of ABC's televised sports, Roone Arledge, made sure that Monday Night Football's inaugural game on September 21, featured Namath. The Jets met the Cleveland Browns in Cleveland Municipal Stadium in front of both a record crowd of 85,703 and a huge television audience. However, the Jets set a team record for penalties and lost on a late Namath interception.{{cite web |last=Grossi |first=Tony |date=September 15, 2019 |title=Pro football was changed by the first Monday Night Football game, and so was the life of the Browns' hero that night |url=https://www.espn.com/blog/cleveland/post/_/id/7003/pro-football-was-changed-by-the-first-monday-night-football-game-and-so-was-the-life-of-the-browns-hero-that-night |publisher=ESPN |access-date=October 30, 2019}}

The Chicago Winds of the World Football League (WFL) made an overture to Namath prior to the start of its 1975 season. First, they designed their uniforms nearly identically to that of the Jets, dropping red and going with green and white, to allow Namath to continue marketing his number 12 jersey in Jets colors. Then they offered Namath a contract worth $600,000 a year for three years; a $2 million annuity ($100,000 per year for 20 years); a $500,000 signing bonus; and terms for Namath's eventual ownership of a WFL franchise. The WFL's television provider, TVS Television Network, insisted on the Winds signing Namath to continue broadcasts. Upon this development, Namath, in turn, requested the lofty sum of 15 percent of the entire league's television revenue, which was rejected by the league. Without a national television deal, the WFL instead opted to fold a month later.Johnson, William Oscar. [https://web.archive.org/web/20121103223620/http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/vault/article/magazine/MAG1090543/index.htm The Day the Money Ran Out]. Sports Illustrated, December 1, 1975.

After twelve years with the Jets, Namath was waived prior to the 1977 season to facilitate a move to the Los Angeles Rams when a trade could not be worked out. Signing on May 12,{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=gZRfAAAAIBAJ&sjid=EjEMAAAAIBAJ&pg=5417%2C4615018 |work=Lewiston Morning Tribune |location=(Idaho) |agency=Associated Press |title=Joe Namath signs with the Rams |date=May 13, 1977 |page=1B}}{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=KqNVAAAAIBAJ&sjid=JeADAAAAIBAJ&pg=6778%2C3714139 |work=Eugene Register-Guard |location=(Oregon) |agency=wire service reports |title=Namath wants to start |date=May 13, 1977 |page=2D}} Namath hoped to revitalize his career, but knee injuries, a bad hamstring, and the general ravages of 13 years as a quarterback in professional football had taken their toll. After playing well in a 2–1 start, Namath took a beating in a one-point road loss on a cold, windy, and rainy Monday Night Football game against the Chicago Bears, throwing four interceptions and having a fifth nullified by a penalty.{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=ut0hAAAAIBAJ&sjid=4KAFAAAAIBAJ&pg=5434%2C242040 |work=Reading Eagle |location=(Pennsylvania) |agency=Associated Press |title=Namath says Bears used cheap shots |date=October 11, 1977 |page=22}}{{cite news|last=Williams|first=Joe|url=http://www.orlandosentinel.com/sports/football/predators/os-orlando-predators-doug-plank-chicago-memories-20130531,0,5517874.story|title=Long after retiring from Bears, Predators coach's love of Chicago remains strong|newspaper=Orlando Sentinel|date=May 31, 2013|access-date=May 31, 2013}} He was benched as a starter for the rest of the season (in favor of Pat Haden) and retired at its end.{{cite news |last=Anderson |first=Dave |title=Namath Is Retiring From Pro Football |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1978/01/25/archives/namath-is-retiring-from-pro-football-namath-retiring-after-13.html |website=The New York Times |date=January 25, 1978 |access-date=October 30, 2019}}

File:Flip Wilson Joe Namath Flip Wilson Show 1972.JPG and Namath on The Flip Wilson Show in 1972]]

File:Gwynne Gilford and Joe Namath.JPG and Namath on The Waverly Wonders in 1978]]

Building on his brief success as a host on 1969's The Joe Namath Show, Namath transitioned into an acting career. Appearing on stage, starring in several movies, including C.C. and Company with Ann-Margret and William Smith in 1970, on stage in "Picnic" with Donna Mills in 1971 and in a brief 1978 television series, The Waverly Wonders. He guest-starred on numerous television shows, often as himself, including The Love Boat, Married... with Children, Here's Lucy, The Brady Bunch, The Sonny & Cher Comedy Hour, The Flip Wilson Show, Rowan & Martin's Laugh-In, The Dean Martin Show, The Simpsons, The A-Team, ALF, Kate & Allie, and The John Larroquette Show.{{cite web|url=http://www.filmreference.com/film/9/Joe-Namath.html |title=Joe Namath Biography (1943-) |website=Filmreference.com |access-date=June 16, 2017}} Namath was a candidate to host the 1988 revival of the American game show Family Feud, before the job went to comedian Ray Combs.

Namath appeared in summer stock productions of Damn Yankees, Fiddler on the Roof, and Li'l Abner, and finally legitimized his "Broadway Joe" nickname as a cast replacement in a New York revival of The Caine Mutiny Court Martial in 1983.{{cite news |title=Namath to Make Debut On Broadway in 'Caine' |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1983/09/14/theater/namath-to-make-debut-on-broadway-in-caine.html |newspaper=The New York Times |date=September 14, 1983 |access-date=October 30, 2019}} He guest hosted The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson several times and also served as a color commentator on NFL broadcasts, including the 1985 season of Monday Night Football and several years with NBC Sports. In September 2012, Namath was honored by the Ride of Fame and a double-decker tour bus was dedicated to him in New York City.{{cite web|url=https://www.facebook.com/RideOfFame/videos/255787751211029/ |title=Ride of Fame - Ride of Fame at Pier 78- CitySightseeing |publisher=Facebook |date=September 12, 2012 |access-date=June 16, 2017}} He appeared as himself in the 2013 sports film Underdogs and the 2015 comedy film The Wedding Ringer.

File:Joe Theismann Joe Namath.jpg (L) and Namath (R) at the NFL Kickoff Live concert in 2003]]

Namath was the only athlete listed on the master list of Richard Nixon's political opponents, which was made public in 1973 during the Watergate investigation, erroneously listed as playing for the New York Giants. White House Counsel John Dean claimed not to know why Namath was included on the list and suggested that it might have been a mistake. Namath addressed this on The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson on July 20, 1973.{{cite book |last=Kriegel |first=Mark |date=July 26, 2005 |title=Namath: A Biography |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=2LttIGhZtWIC |location=New York |publisher=Penguin Books |page=[https://books.google.com/books?id=2LttIGhZtWIC&q=nixon#v=snippet&q=nixon%20list&f=false 349] |isbn=978-1-101-22142-6 |access-date=April 6, 2022 |language=en}}{{rp|349}}

Namath dated actress and fashion model Randi Oakes, actress and lawyer Louisa Moritz, singer and songwriter Janis Joplin, and actresses Jill St. John and Raquel Welch.Gilman, Kay (August 18, 1974). "Women of All Ages Are Turned On by Pro Athletes--and Joe Namath Is No. 1". Los Angeles Times. p. C1.Camilli, Doug (February 3, 1982). [https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=-DsyAAAAIBAJ&pg=1117%2C899542 "Names In The News"]. The Gazette.Garner, Dwight (October 25, 2019). "[https://nytimes.com/2019/10/25/books/review-janis-joplin-biography-holly-george-warren.html A New Biography of Janis Joplin Captures the Pain and Soul of an Adventurous Life]". The New York Times.

While taking a voice class in 1983, Namath met Deborah Mays, who later changed her first name to May and then changed it again to Tatiana, an aspiring actress; he was 39 and she was 22. They married in 1984, with Namath claiming, "She caught my last pass." The longtime bachelor became a dedicated family man when the couple had two children, Jessica (born 1986) and Olivia (born 1991).[https://people.com/archive/jilted-joe-vol-51-no-14/ "Jilted Joe"] People magazine, April 19, 1999 The couple divorced in 2000, with the children living in Florida with their father. In May 2007, Olivia gave birth to a daughter, Natalia.{{cite web|url=https://people.com/parents/joe-namaths-tee/ |title=Joe Namath's teenaged daughter gives birth |publisher=People |date=August 16, 2007 |access-date=March 1, 2020}} Olivia lives in California with her three kids. Namath also has three other grandchildren named John, Emerson, and Jemma, who live next to him with their mother, Jessica. Namath practices transcendental meditation and has adopted a collie/shepherd, Zoie, from a local rescue shelter. He co-owns the Lucky Shuck, a waterside restaurant overlooking the Jupiter Inlet and lighthouse.{{cite web |last=Cimini |first=Rich |date=May 31, 2023 |title=Namath: Drinking kicked my butt for long time |url=https://www.espn.ph/nfl/story/_/id/37755549/day-life-broadway-new-york-jets-qb-joe-namath-80-year-old-birthday |publisher=ESPN |access-date=June 1, 2023}}

For the early years of his marriage, Namath continued to struggle with his alcoholism until his wife warned him that he could break up his family if he continued. By 1987, Namath was able to stop his drinking, though he would relapse after his divorce in 2000.{{cite web |last=Cimini |first=Rich |date=May 7, 2019 |title=Namath: Drinking kicked my butt for long time |url=https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/26691377/namath-drinking-kicked-my-butt-long |publisher=ESPN|access-date=October 30, 2019}}

On December 20, 2003, Namath garnered unfavorable publicity after he consumed too much alcohol during a day that was dedicated to the Jets' announcement of their All-Time team. During live ESPN coverage of the team's game, Namath was asked about then-Jets quarterback Chad Pennington and his thoughts on the difficulties of that year's team. Namath expressed confidence in Pennington, but then stated to interviewer Suzy Kolber, "I want to kiss you. I couldn't care less about the team struggling."{{cite news|title=Namath Incident Not Being Kissed Off|first=Bill|last=Griffith|url=https://www.boston.com/sports/other_sports/articles/2003/12/23/namath_incident_not_being_kissed_off|newspaper=The Boston Globe|date=December 23, 2003|access-date=April 24, 2010}} He subsequently apologized, and several weeks later entered into an outpatient alcoholism treatment program. In 2019, Namath said he used the incident as motivation to quit alcohol, explaining "I had embarrassed my friends and family and could not escape that feeling. I haven't had a drink since."{{cite web|last=Cimini|first=Rich|title=Namath: Drinking kicked my butt for a long time|work=ESPN|url=http://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/26691377/namath-drinking-kicked-my-butt-long|date=May 7, 2019}}

In July 2015, Namath joined the search for two boys who disappeared during a fishing trip off the coast of Florida, and offered a $100,000 reward for the safe return of the boys.{{cite web|title=NFL legend Joe Namath aids search for boys, 14, missing off Florida|url=https://www.foxnews.com/us/nfl-legend-joe-namath-aids-search-for-boys-14-missing-off-florida|publisher=Fox News|access-date=September 22, 2017|date=July 26, 2015}} The boat was found six days later, and the search was suspended, with the two boys presumed dead.{{cite web|last=Hastings|first=Deborah|title=U.S. Coast Guard to suspend search for missing Florida teens who vanished during fishing trip|url=http://www.nydailynews.com/news/national/coast-guard-suspending-search-missing-fla-teens-article-1.2310766|work=New York Daily News|access-date=September 22, 2017|date=July 31, 2015}}

On June 6, 2018, Namath threw out the first pitch at a Chicago Cubs baseball game at Wrigley Field. The pitch was caught by then-Cubs manager Joe Maddon, who idolized Namath as a child. This was Namath's first time at Wrigley Field.{{cite web|last=Gonzales|first=Mark|title=Cubs' Joe Maddon smitten by visit from childhood idol Joe Namath|website=Chicago Tribune|url=http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/baseball/cubs/ct-spt-cubs-joe-maddon-joe-namath-20180606-story.html|access-date=June 7, 2018|date=June 6, 2018}}{{cite web|last1=Garro|first1=Adrian|last2=Muskat|first2=Carrie|title=Joe Namath visited Wrigley Field for the first time and threw a pitch to Joe Maddon

|website=MLB.com|url=https://www.mlb.com/cut4/joe-namath-throws-first-pitch-at-wrigley-field-before-cubs-game/c-280114120|access-date=June 7, 2018|date=June 6, 2018}}

Namath currently resides in Tequesta, Florida.{{Cite web |last=Norris |first=Jan |date=December 24, 2020 |title=Broadway Joe still in "early fourth quarter" |url=https://palmbeach.floridaweekly.com/articles/broadway-joe-still-in-early-fourth-quarter/ |website=www.palmbeach.floridaweekly.com |access-date=March 16, 2025}}

After the Super Bowl victory in 1969, Namath opened a popular Upper East Side nightclub called Bachelors III, which not only drew big names in sports, entertainment, and politics, but also organized crime. To protect the league's reputation, NFL Commissioner Pete Rozelle ordered Namath to divest himself of his interest in the venture. Namath refused, apparently retiring from football during a teary news conference, but he eventually recanted and agreed to sell the club, and reported to the Jets in time for the 1969–70 season. Namath again threatened to retire before the 1970 and 1971 seasons; New York wrote in 1971 that "his retirement act had become shallow and predictable". The magazine stated that Namath did not want to attend training camp because of the risk of injury, but could not afford to retire permanently because of poor investments.{{cite news | url=https://books.google.com/books?id=A-MCAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA47 | title=The Third Annual Permanent Retirement of Joe Namath | work=New York | date=July 19, 1971 | access-date= January 6, 2015 | author=Axthelm, Pete | page = 71}}

File:Pro Football Hall of Fame (38778224932).jpg #12 jersey on display at the Pro Football Hall of Fame in Canton]]

Namath's prowess on the field, fashion sense, lighthearted personality, and status as a sex symbol made him the first sports figure to appeal equally to men, women, and children—as demonstrated by his various product endorsements over the years.{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OM59nSkjEWU |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211212/OM59nSkjEWU| archive-date=December 12, 2021 |url-status=live|title=Noxema with Farrah |publisher=YouTube |date=November 13, 1987 |access-date=June 16, 2017}}{{cbignore}} His nickname "Broadway Joe" was given to him by Sherman Plunkett, a Jets teammate.{{cite web | last=Kiger | first=Fred W. | title=Namath: As good as his word | website=ESPN Classic | date=November 19, 2003 | url=https://www.espn.com/classic/s/add_Namath_Joe.html | access-date=December 14, 2024}} "Joe Willie Namath" was Namath's moniker based on his full given name and was popularized by sportscaster Howard Cosell.{{cite web |last=Kappes |first=Keith |title=Wednesday's Post: Can you imagine Joe Namath wearing pantyhose? 4|url=https://www.journal-times.com/opinion/columns/wednesday-s-post-can-you-imagine-joe-namath-wearing-pantyhose/article_e03ce612-2a25-11e9-8bfd-6b475d565f2a.html |website=journal-times.com |access-date=October 30, 2019 |archive-date=February 6, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190206212151/https://www.journal-times.com/opinion/columns/wednesday-s-post-can-you-imagine-joe-namath-wearing-pantyhose/article_e03ce612-2a25-11e9-8bfd-6b475d565f2a.html |url-status=dead }} On the field, Namath stood out from other AFL and NFL players in low-cut white shoes rather than traditional black high-tops. The white shoes started when Namath was at Alabama, where he kept having his worn-out cleats taped over as a superstition, especially after his first major knee injury was the result of a game in which he had forgotten to have the shoes taped. When he joined the Jets, Namath continued to have his shoes taped until Jets coach Weeb Ewbank noticed that the excess tape usage was costing the team money, so he ordered white cleats for Namath. He originated the fad of wearing a full-length fur coat on the sidelines (since banned by the NFL, which requires all players, coaches, athletic trainers, et al., to wear league-approved team apparel).{{Cite web |last=Braziller |first=Zach |date=February 4, 2014 |title=The story behind Joe Namath’s Super Bowl coat |url=https://nypost.com/2014/02/04/the-story-behind-joe-namaths-super-bowl-coat/ |access-date=December 2, 2024 |website=New York Post |language=en-US}}

Namath also appeared in television advertisements both during and after his playing career, most notably for Ovaltine milk flavoring,{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=On2gd6-Rfls |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211212/On2gd6-Rfls| archive-date=December 12, 2021 |url-status=live|title=Celeb Ad Ovaltine Joe Namath |publisher=YouTube |date=March 28, 2013 |access-date=June 16, 2017}}{{cbignore}} Noxzema shaving cream (in which he was shaved by a then-unknown Farrah Fawcett), and Hanes Beautymist pantyhose (which he famously wore in the commercials). All of these commercials contributed to his becoming a pop-culture icon.

Namath continues to serve as an unofficial spokesman and goodwill ambassador of the Jets.{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2003/08/28/sports/pro-football-jets-turn-a-gathering-into-a-testaverde-rally.html|newspaper=The New York Times|first=Gerald|last=Eskenazi|title=PRO FOOTBALL; Jets Turn a Gathering Into a Testaverde Rally|date=August 28, 2003}} In 2011, Namath was representing Topps and promoting a "Super Bowl Legends" contest, appearing on its behalf on the Late Show with David Letterman.{{cite news|last=Mallozzi|first=Vincent M.|title=30 Seconds With Joe Namath|url=http://fifthdown.blogs.nytimes.com/2011/09/24/30-seconds-with-joe-namath|access-date=September 26, 2011|newspaper=The New York Times|date=September 25, 2011}} For Super Bowl XLVIII which was hosted in the Jets' MetLife Stadium, Namath and his daughter Jessica wore fur coats for the ceremonial coin toss to "bring back a little of that flash from his heyday" as a player.

On June 2, 2013, Namath was the guest speaker at the Pro Football Hall of Fame, unveiling the Canton, Ohio museum's $27 million expansion and renovation plan.{{cite web |last=Hughes |first=Matt |title=Joe Namath to Attend Pro Footballs Hall of Fame Opening |url=http://web.yesnetwork.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20130529&content_id=48977578&oid=0 |publisher=YES Network |access-date=August 14, 2018}}

As of 2018, Namath is the spokesperson for the insurance agency Medicare Coverage Helpline.{{cite web|url=https://www.ispot.tv/ad/dGhJ/medicare-coverage-helpline-make-sure-featuring-joe-namath|title=Medicare Coverage Helpline TV Commercial, 'Make Sure' Featuring Joe Namath|website=iSpot.tv}}{{cite web|url=https://www.ispot.tv/ad/noIY/medicare-coverage-helpline-staying-home-new-benefits-featuring-joe-namath|title=Medicare Coverage Helpline TV Commercial, 'Staying Home: New Benefits' Featuring Joe Namath|website=iSpot.tv}}

In November 2006, the biography Namath: A Biography by Mark Kriegel was published, reaching the New York Times extended bestseller list (number 23). In conjunction with its release, Namath was interviewed for the November 19, 2006, edition of CBS' 60 Minutes.{{cite web |title=Gridiron greats on 60 Minutes |url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/football-greats-on-60-minutes/ |publisher=CBS News |date=January 15, 2015 |access-date=October 30, 2019}} A documentary about Namath's hometown of Beaver Falls, Pennsylvania, includes a segment on Namath and why the city has celebrated its ties to him. In 2009, 40 years after winning Super Bowl III, he presented the Vince Lombardi Trophy to the Pittsburgh Steelers, who won Super Bowl XLIII. NFL Productions also produced a two-hour long television biography in its A Football Life series.{{cite web|url=https://www.imdb.com/title/tt2396758/fullcredits|title=A Football Life (TV Series 2011– )|publisher=IMDb}}

• {{Cite book |author1=Namath, Joe Willie |author2=Schaap, Richard |year=1970 |title=I Can't Wait Until Tomorrow... 'Cause I Get Better Looking Every Day |publisher=Signet |asin=B00005W4MN}}
• {{Cite book |author=Namath, Joe |year=2006 |title=Namath |location=New York |publisher=Rugged Land Books |isbn=1-59071-081-9}}
• {{Cite book |author=Namath, Joe |year=2019 |title=All the Way: My Life in Four Quarters |location=New York |publisher=Little, Brown and Company |isbn=978-0316421102}}

• List of American Football League players
• Namath: From Beaver Falls to Broadway
• Living former players diagnosed with or reporting symptoms of chronic traumatic encephalopathy

{{Reflist}}

{{Wikiquote}}

{{Commons category}}

• {{Profootballhof|161}}
• {{Footballstats |nfl=Joe-Namath |espn= |cbs= |yahoo= |si= |pfr=N/NamaJo00 |rotoworld=}}
• {{IMDb name|0620619}}
• [http://www.encyclopediaofalabama.org/face/Article.jsp?id=h-1050 Joe Namath article], Encyclopedia of Alabama

{{s-start}}

{{s-ach}}

{{s-bef|before=Matt Snell}}

{{s-ttl|title=American Football League Rookie of the Year|years=1965}}

{{s-aft|after=Bobby Burnett}}

{{s-end}}

{{Navboxes

|title=Joe Namath—awards, championships, and honors

|list1 =

{{Alabama Crimson Tide quarterback navbox}}

{{New York Jets starting quarterback navbox}}

{{Jets1965DraftPicks}}

{{Los Angeles Rams starting quarterback navbox}}

{{1964 Alabama Crimson Tide football navbox}}

{{Super Bowl III}}

{{1965 NFL Draft}}

{{St. Louis Cardinals 1965 draft navbox}}

{{CardinalsFirstPick}}

{{JetsFirstPick}}

{{AFL NumberOne Draft Picks}}

{{American Football League passing yardage leaders}}

{{American Football League Rookie of the Year}}

{{List of AFL MVPs}}

{{Super Bowl MVPs}}

{{Super Bowl Champion quarterbacks}}

{{Hickok Belt}}

{{NFL passing touchdown leaders}}

{{NFL passing yardage leaders}}

{{NFL Comeback Players of the Year}}

{{AFL1960s}}

{{Jets Retired Numbers}}

{{Jets Ring of Honor}}

{{1985 Football HOF}}

{{Pro Football Hall of Fame members}}

{{NFL quarterbacks with a perfect passer rating}}

}}

{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Namath, Joe}}

Category:1943 births

Category:Living people

Category:20th-century American male actors

Category:21st-century American male actors

Category:Alabama Crimson Tide football players

Category:American Conference Pro Bowl players

Category:American Football League All-Star players

Category:American Football League All-Time Team

Category:American Football League first overall draft picks

Category:American Football League Most Valuable Players

Category:American Football League players

Category:American Football League Rookies of the Year

Category:American football quarterbacks

Category:American male film actors

Category:American male television actors

Category:American male voice actors

Category:American people of Hungarian descent

Category:American television sports announcers

Category:Catholics from Pennsylvania

Category:College football announcers

Category:Los Angeles Rams players

Category:Male actors from Pittsburgh

Category:New York Jets players

Category:NFL announcers

Category:NFL Comeback Player of the Year winners

Category:NFL players with retired numbers

Category:People from Tequesta, Florida

Category:Players of American football from Beaver County, Pennsylvania

Category:Players of American football from Pittsburgh

Category:Pro Football Hall of Fame inductees

Category:Sportspeople from Beaver Falls, Pennsylvania

Category:Sportspeople of Hungarian descent

Category:Super Bowl MVPs