Joe Theismann

Theismann was born to Austrian Joseph John Theismann who "ran a gas station and worked in his brother's liquor store." His Hungarian mother, Olga Tóbiás,{{cite web|url=https://player.hu/eletmod/sport/magyarok-az-nfl-ben-3/|title=A kommentátorrá lett irányító és az erdélyi magyar punter – Magyarok az NFL-ben 3.|date=October 28, 2012|access-date=October 6, 2018}} worked for Johnson & Johnson until her retirement. Theismann was raised in South River, New Jersey,Amdur, Neil. [https://www.nytimes.com/1969/12/27/archives/theismann-pleases-irish-coach-in-every-statistic-except-one.html "Theismann Pleases Irish Coach In Every Statistic Except One; Quarterback From Jersey Is Intercepted 16 Times -- Awaits Biggest Chance"], The New York Times, December 27, 1969. Retrieved March 20, 2011. "The snow was stacked as high and tight as a goal-line defense near Joe Theismann's house at 3 Arlington Avenue in South River, N. J., yesterday." and attended South River High School, where he lettered in baseball, basketball, and football.

He was a high school teammate of Drew Pearson. Theismann accepted a college football scholarship to attend the University of Notre Dame, where he lived in Zahm Hall.{{Cite news|last=Roura|first=Phil|date=March 26, 2006|title=REGIS ON THE ROAD. Philbin hits Harrah's this weekend with Susan Lucci: [SPORTS FINAL Edition]|page=41|work=Daily News|location=New York|url=https://www.proquest.com/docview/306017228|id={{ProQuest|306017228}}}}

At Notre Dame, Theismann became the starting quarterback in his sophomore year, after Terry Hanratty was injured late in the season.{{College Football HoF|id=2130|name=Joe Theismann|access-date=December 26, 2008}}

In the three remaining games in the regular season, he led the Irish to two wins and a tie. In 1969, Theismann led the Irish to a number five ranking, but lost to the University of Texas in the 1970 Cotton Bowl Classic, 21–17. The next year, the Irish had a 10–1 record, a number two ranking, and won against Texas in the 1971 Cotton Bowl Classic, 24–11.

That year, Theismann was an All-American and an Academic All-American, and was in contention for the Heisman Trophy but he finished second to Jim Plunkett of Stanford University.{{cite web| publisher=Heisman.com| url=http://www.heisman.com/winners/j-plunkett70.php| title=Heisman Winners : 1970 – 36th Award : Jim Plunkett| year=1970| access-date=September 30, 2010| url-status=dead| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100210035420/http://www.heisman.com/winners/j-plunkett70.php| archive-date=February 10, 2010}} Theismann, whose last name was actually pronounced THEES-mann, later recalled that Notre Dame publicity man Roger Valdiserri who insisted that he change the pronunciation of his name to rhyme with "Heisman", although in the process learned from his grandmother that the original pronunciation of his last name was TICE-mann.{{Cite web |date=2016-12-09 |title=Theismann, As In Heisman...Or Was It? |url=https://www.wbur.org/onlyagame/2016/12/09/joe-theismann-heisman-name-pronunciation |access-date=2024-10-14 |website=www.wbur.org}}

Theismann set school records for passing yards in a season (2,429) and touchdowns in a season (16). He also set a school record for passing yards in a game (526) and completions in a game (33) while playing against the University of Southern California in a torrential downpour in 1970, which the Irish lost 38–28.{{cite news | work=ESPN.com College Football| url=https://www.espn.com/college-football/news/story?id=1858262 | title=Green, Sanders also among inductees | date=August 12, 2004|agency=Associated Press|access-date=December 26, 2008}} As a starting quarterback, Theismann compiled a 20–3–2 record while throwing for 4,411 yards and 31 touchdowns. His 4,411 passing yards rank fifth on Notre Dame's career passing list.

Theismann was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 2003. He was the eighth Notre Dame quarterback enshrined into the hall, joining former Heisman Trophy winners Angelo Bertelli, John Lujack, and Paul Hornung.

Theismann was selected 99th overall in the fourth round of the 1971 NFL draft by the Miami Dolphins and in the 39th round of the 1971 Major League Baseball Draft by the Minnesota Twins.{{Cite web |last=Wallace |first=William N. |date=January 29, 1971 |title=Patriots Choose Plunkett as No. 1 in College Draft, Spurning Trade Offers |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1971/01/29/archives/patriots-choose-plunkett-as-no-1-in-college-draft-spurning-trade.html |access-date=June 17, 2024 |website=The New York Times}}{{cite web | work=Baseball-Reference.com | url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/draft/index.cgi?year_ID=1971&round=39&draft_type=junreg | title=Baseball Draft: 39th Round of the 1971 June Draft | access-date=December 27, 2008}} After prolonged negotiations with the Dolphins failed, Theismann elected to sign with the Toronto Argonauts of the Canadian Football League for $50,000 per season.{{Cite news |last=Attner |first=Paul |date=January 26, 1983 |title=Theismann, a Near-Dolphin, Wouldn't Change |newspaper=The Washington Post |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/sports/1983/01/26/theismann-a-near-dolphin-wouldnt-change/31f87e7d-924c-4726-8d71-0488685059b3/}}

In his rookie year, Theismann quarterbacked the Argonauts to a 10–4 record, led the league's Eastern Conference in passing statistics and won a berth in the Grey Cup game against the Calgary Stampeders in Vancouver, British Columbia (59th Grey Cup). A fumble late in the fourth quarter by Argonaut running back Leon McQuay close to the goal line cost the Argonauts what would have been their first Grey Cup victory since 1952.{{cite web |url=https://www.cfl.ca/page/his_greycup_recap1971 |title=Grey Cup: 1971 |publisher=Canadian Football League |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110425013128/http://www.cfl.ca/page/his_greycup_recap1971 |archive-date=April 25, 2011}}{{cite web |url=https://d3ham790trbkqy.cloudfront.net/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/CFL-Record-Book-2022-e.pdf |title=CFL Guide & Record Book – Grey Cup Record Book 1909 To 2021 |access-date=October 23, 2022 |archive-date=December 28, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221228175433/https://d3ham790trbkqy.cloudfront.net/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/CFL-Record-Book-2022-e.pdf |url-status=dead}}

In 1971, Theismann completed 148 of 278 passes for 2,440 yards, 17 touchdowns, and 21 interceptions. His 1972 season was shortened by injury, but he completed 77 of 127 passes for 1,157 yards and ten touchdowns. During his last CFL season, 1973, he completed 157 of 274 passes for 2,496 yards and both 13 touchdowns and interceptions. He was an all-star in both 1971 and 1973.{{Cite news |date=July 6, 2012 |title=Former QB Joe Theismann has fond memories of 1971 Argos |work=The Canadian Press |url=https://www.cbc.ca/sports/football/cfl/former-qb-joe-theismann-has-fond-memories-of-1971-argos-1.1241904}}

File:JoeTheismannPractice.jpg

In 1974, the Washington Redskins obtained Theismann's rights from the Dolphins in exchange for the team's first-round draft pick in 1976 (the Dolphins selected linebacker Larry Gordon with the pick).{{cite news |title=Allen Trades Pick for Theismann |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1499&dat=19740126&id=Vd4jAAAAIBAJ&sjid=3CgEAAAAIBAJ&pg=6581,1981113&hl=en |newspaper=The Milwaukee Journal |date=January 26, 1974 |access-date=March 30, 2015 |archive-date=April 17, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160417120114/https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1499&dat=19740126&id=Vd4jAAAAIBAJ&sjid=3CgEAAAAIBAJ&pg=6581,1981113&hl=en |url-status=dead}} Theismann left the CFL and joined the Redskins, where he served as the team's punt returner during his first season.{{cite web|url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/T/TheiJo00.htm|title=Joe Theismann Stats|work=pro-football-reference.com|publisher=Sports Reference, LLC|access-date=January 7, 2019}} In 1978, Theismann became the Redskins' starting quarterback, succeeding Billy Kilmer.

In 1982, Theismann led the Redskins to their first championship in 40 years against the Dolphins in Super Bowl XVII. He threw two touchdowns and, with the Redskins trailing 17–13 in the third quarter, made arguably the most important defensive play of the game – after his pass was deflected by Dolphins lineman Kim Bokamper, causing what appeared to be an interception and sure touchdown (which would have given Miami a two-score lead and effectively taken MVP running back John Riggins out of the game), Theismann himself was able to knock the ball out of Bokamper's hands to have it result in an incompletion rather than a catch. Later on, Washington ran their way to victory.{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jtz8hsQtEuQ&t=199s |title= The Most UNDERRATED Play in Super Bowl HISTORY {{!}} Super Bowl XVII |via=YouTube |date=January 29, 2021 |access-date=July 21, 2023}}{{cbignore}} He also led the team to an appearance in Super Bowl XVIII the following year, and would go on to set several Redskins franchise records, including most career passing attempts (3,602), most career passing completions (2,044) and most career passing yards (25,206), while also throwing 160 touchdown passes, with 138 interceptions. On the ground, he rushed for 1,815 yards and 17 touchdowns. He was named NFL MVP in 1983 by four organizations. He earned the Player of the Game Award in the second of his two Pro Bowl appearances. Theismann also punted once in his career, for one yard against the Chicago Bears.UPI (September 30, 1985). "[https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=gRYzAAAAIBAJ&sjid=RzIHAAAAIBAJ&pg=4990,3532387&dq=joe-theismann+punt&hl=en Bears Show Redskins A Team On The Rise]". Lodi News-Sentinel, p. 17.

File:joetheismannrings.jpg Championship ring (right)]]

In an era when most quarterbacks had long since used variations of a double-bar facemask or "cage" facemasks that afforded more protection, Theismann stood out in his use of a signature one-bar face mask throughout his pro career.Graham, Tim (August 11, 2009). "[https://www.espn.com/blog/afceast/post/_/id/2102/face-of-the-nfl-is-gone-an-ode-to-the-single-bar Face of the NFL is gone: An ode to the single-bar]". ESPN. Retrieved December 4, 2021.

However, on at least one occasion, Theismann wore a helmet with a more standard facemask. Substituting for an ineffective Billy Kilmer against the Dallas Cowboys on October 16, 1977, Theismann entered the game wearing a facemask similar to the style worn by Ken Stabler at the time.{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rB895asXkhM|title=YouTube|via=YouTube|access-date=October 6, 2018}}{{cbignore}}{{Dead YouTube link|date=February 2022}}

On November 18, 1985, Theismann suffered a comminuted compound fracture of the tibia and fibula in his right leg when he was sacked by linebackers Lawrence Taylor and Harry Carson.{{Cite web |last=Lambert |first=Ivan |date=December 11, 2022 |title=Remembering Washington football at RFK Stadium in the 1980s |url=https://commanderswire.usatoday.com/2022/12/11/remembering-washington-football-at-rfk-stadium-in-the-1980s/ |access-date=January 5, 2023 |website=Commanders Wire}} The injury took place during a Monday Night Football game against the New York Giants telecast by ABC from RFK Stadium in Washington, D.C.

The injury was later voted the NFL's "Most Shocking Moment in History" by viewers in an ESPN poll,{{Cite web |title=ESPN.com – Page2 – Readers: Shocking football moments |url=https://www.espn.com/page2/s/list/readers/shockingNFL.html |access-date=January 5, 2023 |website=www.espn.com}} and the tackle was ultimately dubbed "The Hit That No One Who Saw It Can Ever Forget" by The Washington Post.{{cite news | title=The Hit That Changed a Career | newspaper=The Washington Post | date=November 18, 2005 | author=Leonard Shapiro| url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/11/17/AR2005111701635.html | access-date=June 30, 2008}}

The game's score was 7–7 in the second quarter when the Redskins attempted to run a "flea-flicker" play; Theismann handed the ball off to fullback John Riggins, who subsequently lateralled the ball back to the quarterback. The Giants' defense, however, was tightly focused, and they tried to blitz Theismann. As Taylor pulled Theismann down, Taylor's knee came down and drove straight into Theismann's lower right leg, fracturing both the tibia and the fibula as Giants linebackers Gary Reasons and Harry Carson also joined Taylor in the sack.{{cite web |url=https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/14154498/ten-things-not-know-joe-theismann-gruesome-broken-leg-1985|title=Ten things you might not know about Joe Theismann's broken leg |last=Stone |first=Kevin |date=November 18, 2015 |publisher=ESPN |access-date=July 30, 2019}} Theismann would later describe the incident (December 22, 2005):

The pain was unbelievable, but it didn't last more than a second or two. My leg snapped like a breadstick. I heard it clearly, it sounded like two muzzled gunshots over my left shoulder. Pow, pow! ... It was at that point, I also found out what a magnificent machine the human body is. Almost immediately, from the knee down, all the feeling was gone in my right leg. The endorphins had kicked in, and I was not in any great pain.{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2005/12/26/sports/football/26monday.html?pagewanted=all&_r=1& |title=20 Years Later, Theismann Revisits Replay |newspaper=The New York Times |access-date=October 14, 2013 |first=Richard |last=Sandomir |date=December 26, 2005}}

As Theismann was down, Taylor immediately popped to his feet and began frantically waving, before looking back and seeing Theismann sprawled on the ground. Initially, many Redskins personnel thought Taylor was taunting after the play before quickly realizing that Theismann was seriously injured, but it was later confirmed that Taylor knew immediately that something had happened and was trying to signal for help from the emergency medical technicians, something the Monday Night Football announcer team of Frank Gifford, O. J. Simpson, and Joe Namath had correctly inferred from the start.Archived at [https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211205/-mLADYBmAEw Ghostarchive]{{cbignore}} and the [https://web.archive.org/web/20200830174614/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-mLADYBmAEw Wayback Machine]{{cbignore}}: {{cite web| url = https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-mLADYBmAEw| title = Lawrence Taylor breaks Joe Theismann's leg on MNF | via=YouTube}}{{cbignore}}

While initially only the players on the field could see the extent of the damage to Theismann's leg, the reverse-angle instant replay provided a clearer view of what had actually happened: Theismann's lower leg bones were broken midway between his knee and his ankle, such that his leg from his foot to his mid-shin was lying flat against the ground while the upper part of his shin up to his knee was at a 45-degree angle to the lower part of his leg. ABC's decision to screen the reverse-angle instant replay several times despite its palpably graphic content shocked millions of viewers, with some describing it as "the most horrific professional sports injury of all time"; the repeated screening of this replay remains one of the most controversial in-game television production decisions in NFL history.{{Cite web |last=Mullins |first=Luke |date=September 29, 2015 |title=The Oral History of Joe Theismann's Broken Leg |url=https://www.washingtonian.com/2015/09/29/the-oral-history-of-joe-theismanns-broken-leg/ |access-date=January 5, 2023 |website=www.washingtonian.com}} As the replays were shown, Gifford repeatedly urged viewers at home to exercise discretion: "If your stomach is weak, just don't watch."

The compound fracture of the tibia and fibula led to insufficient bone growth during Theismann's recovery, leaving his right leg shorter than his left. As a result, the injury ended Theismann's career, forcing him to retire at the age of 36. While Theismann has clarified that Taylor apologized to him many times for the incident, he also stated that he never blamed Taylor, reiterating that he was merely doing his job.{{cite web |title=Lawrence Taylor remembers Joe Theismann's brutal injury |url=https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/18074038/lawrence-taylor-remembers-joe-theismann-injury-seen-lot-worse-hits-nfl |publisher=ESPN |access-date=May 13, 2021 |date=November 18, 2016}}

Theismann's injury was highlighted in the film The Blind Side as the reason that, after the quarterback, one of the highest paid football players is the left tackle, who protects a right-handed quarterback's blind side.{{cite news | title=Movie Review: The Blind Side | work=The Washington Times | date=November 20, 2009 | author=Sonny Bunch| url=http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2009/nov/20/movie-review-the-blind-side/ | access-date=February 4, 2015}} A very similar injury occurred exactly 33 years later to another Redskins quarterback, Alex Smith, on November 18, 2018, in a game against the Houston Texans when cornerback Kareem Jackson and defensive end J. J. Watt sacked Smith, a game that Theismann himself was attending.{{Cite web|url=https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/news/redskins-qb-alex-smith-suffers-gruesome-injury-33-years-to-the-day-after-joe-theismanns/|title=Redskins' Alex Smith suffers gruesome injury 33 years to the day after Joe Theismann's broken leg|website=CBS Sports|date=November 18, 2018 |access-date=April 29, 2020}} However, unlike Theismann, Smith managed to play an additional season two years later in 2020 and won the Comeback Player of the Year award before retiring in 2021.{{cite web |title=Washington Football Team releases quarterback Alex Smith |url=https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/31010113/washington-football-team-releases-quarterback-alex-smith |publisher=ESPN|first=John|last=Keim|date=March 5, 2021}}{{cite web|last=Shook|first=Nick|title=Alex Smith announces retirement after 16-year career|url=https://www.nfl.com/news/alex-smith-retires-16-year-career-49ers-chiefs-washington|publisher=National Football League|date=April 19, 2021|access-date=April 19, 2021}}

• Most career wins by a quarterback (87){{cite web|title=In multiple seasons, from 1950 to 2018, playing for the Washington Redskins, requiring Pass Completion % >= 1, sorted by most games matching criteria|url=https://pfref.com/tiny/MwmyM|website=Pro Football Reference|publisher= Pro Football Reference|access-date=November 23, 2018}}
• Most career passing yards (25,206){{cite web|title=Washington Redskins Career Passing Leaders|url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/was/career-passing.htm|website=Pro Football Reference|publisher=Sports Reference|access-date=November 23, 2018}}
• Most career passing completions (2,044)
• Most career passing attempts (3,602)

In 1985, Theismann helped call Super Bowl XIX for ABC alongside Frank Gifford and Don Meredith, becoming only the second player to do commentary on a Super Bowl telecast while still an active player at the time (the first was Jack Kemp when he helped call Super Bowl II for CBS). Theismann served as a color commentator on regional CBS NFL coverage in 1986 and 1987, then worked on ESPN's Sunday Night Football telecasts from 1988 to 2005, and on their Monday Night Football coverage in 2006.

In addition to covering football, Theismann hosted the first half of the first season of American Gladiators in 1989.

On March 26, 2007, ESPN announced that Ron Jaworski would replace Theismann in the Monday Night Football booth. Theismann rejected an offer to work on the network's college football coverage. He has since done a number of Washington Redskins pre-season games on CSN. On September 16, 2009, the NFL Network announced that Theismann would analyze game films on the show Playbook, airing Thursday and Friday nights at 6 p.m. Eastern.

On January 9, 2010, Theismann and his former head coach Joe Gibbs served as color commentators, along with play-by-play man Tom Hammond, for the Saturday AFC wild card game between the New York Jets and the Cincinnati Bengals.

On September 6, 2010, NFL network announced that they added Theismann to their Thursday Night Football broadcast crew alongside Bob Papa and Matt Millen.Gregg Rosenthal (September 6, 2010). [https://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2010/09/06/joe-theismann-to-join-nfl-network-booth/ "Joe Theismann to join NFL Network booth"]. NBCSports.com The grouping lasted one season. He also co-hosted NFL games on NBC in 2010,{{cite news | work=USA Today | url=https://www.usatoday.com/sports/columnist/hiestand-tv/2009-12-06-gibbs-theismann-nbc-wildcard_N.htm | title=Gibbs, Theismann to reunite for NBC wild-card game | author=Michael Hiestand| date=December 6, 2009| access-date=December 8, 2009}} and co-hosted NFL Network's No Huddle in 2011.{{cite news|url=https://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/01/14/joe-theismann-danny-woodcock-woodhead-gaffe_n_808966.html |title=Joe Theismann's 'Danny Woodcock' Gaffe: NFL Network Analyst Slips On Air (VIDEO) |publisher=HuffPost |date=January 14, 2011 |access-date=August 16, 2012}}

Theismann has occasionally acted, although most appearances are as himself or as himself in a fictional context. He does have several TV and movie appearances, including B.J. and the Bear (1981), Cannonball Run II (1984), and The Man from Left Field (1993).{{cite web|url=https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0005483/?ref_=fn_al_nm_1|title=IMDb Joe Theismann |publisher=IMDb |access-date=November 23, 2018}}

Theismann appeared as himself, as part of a buyer group for the fictional "New York Hawks" football team on the TV series Necessary Roughness (2013) and on the post-Super Bowl episode "Operation: Broken Feather" of Brooklyn Nine-Nine (2014). His most recent acting appearances were in movies for the Hallmark Channel. In 2016's "Love on the Sidelines," he appeared as the father of an injured professional football player. In 2019's "SnowComing," he played an agent for professional athletes (in particular, a professional football player).

File:Bears at Redskins 2019, Joe Theismann (48791149287).jpg

Theismann and his first wife, the former Shari Brown, had three children: Joseph Jr., Amy, and Patrick. The couple divorced in April 1985, seven months before Theismann's injury in November 1985, after which Theismann began a seven-year relationship – including a brief engagement – with television personality Cathy Lee Crosby.{{cite news|author= Michael J. Weiss|url=http://www.people.com/people/archive/article/0,,20092402,00.html|title=A Bone-Breaking Tackle Leaves Joe Theismann Relying on L.C. from C.L.C.|newspaper=People |date=December 9, 1985|access-date=August 9, 2015}} Early in 1991, Crosby sued for $4.5 million,{{cite news|url=https://www.orlandosentinel.com/1991/02/04/crosby-sues-theismann-over-financial-support/|title=Crosby Sues Theismann Over Financial Support|date= February 4, 1991|newspaper= Orlando Sentinel|access-date=August 9, 2015}} touching off a counter suit. The suits were settled several months later.{{cite web|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1298&dat=19910608&id=z-MPAAAAIBAJ&sjid=xosDAAAAIBAJ&pg=5248,1376785&hl=en|title=Theismann, Crosby settle estate lawsuit|date=June 8, 1991|newspaper=The Free Lance-Star|location=Fredericksburg, VA|access-date=August 9, 2015}}

His second marriage, to former Miss Connecticut winner and Miss America contestant Jeanne Caruso, ended in divorce after three years in 1995. Theismann was ordered to pay nearly $1 million of marital property and $3,500 a month in alimony.{{cite news|url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1995-09-04-ls-42203-story.html|title=COMMITMENTS : Split Decision|date=September 4, 1995|newspaper=The Washington Post|access-date=August 9, 2015|first=Roxanne|last=Roberts}} In 1996, Theismann married Robin Smith. They have homes in Virginia, Tennessee, and the Florida Panhandle. In 1975 he founded Theismann's Restaurant and Bar in Bailey's Crossroads, Virginia, later expanding to a chain of five restaurants in the DC-Baltimore area.{{cite web |title=While Most DC Gridiron Grubberies Are Gone, Theismann's Remains |website=Washington City Paper |access-date=January 14, 2025|date=April 23, 2009|url=https://washingtoncitypaper.com/article/369544/while-most-dc-gridiron-grubberies-are-gone-theismanns-remains/ |archive-date=December 4, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231204023438/https://washingtoncitypaper.com/article/369544/while-most-dc-gridiron-grubberies-are-gone-theismanns-remains/}} Now the restaurant has a single location in Alexandria, Virginia.{{cite web |url=http://www.theismanns.com/home |title=Joe Theismann's Restaurant |website=theismanns.com |access-date=November 23, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150823031201/http://www.theismanns.com/home |archive-date=August 23, 2015 |url-status=dead}}

File:Joe Theismann and John Elway (50121497961).jpg in 2018]]

Theismann received the Golden Plate Award of the American Academy of Achievement presented by Awards Council member Tom Landry in 1983.{{cite web|title= Golden Plate Awardees of the American Academy of Achievement |website=achievement.org|publisher=American Academy of Achievement|url= https://achievement.org/our-history/golden-plate-awards/#sports}}{{cite web|last=Wade |first=Larry |date=July 14, 1983|title= American Academy of Achievement fills Coronado with famous names|work=Coronado Journal |url= https://achievement.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/Coronado-Journal-July-14-1983.pdf}}

Theismann was inducted into the New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association Hall of Fame in 1997.{{cite web | work=New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association | url=http://www.njsiaa.org/NJSIAA/HOF_years.aspx | title=Hall of Fame Annual Awards, 1997 | year=1997 | access-date=December 25, 2008 | url-status=dead | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070521193256/http://www.njsiaa.org/NJSIAA/HOF_years.aspx | archive-date=May 21, 2007}}

In 2011, Theismann was inducted into the New Jersey Hall of Fame.

On September 5, 2014, Theismann was honored by the Ride of Fame as they christened a double decker sightseeing bus in Washington DC dedicated to him and his achievements.[https://uk.eurosport.yahoo.com/photos/ride-fame-joe-theismann-20140905-211708-534.html Ride Of Fame With Joe Theismann] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150527193749/https://uk.eurosport.yahoo.com/photos/ride-fame-joe-theismann-20140905-211708-534.html |date=May 27, 2015}} Yahoo! Sport. September 5, 2014.

On August 19, 2010, head coach Jay Gruden of the UFL's Florida Tuskers "confirmed that Theismann introduced himself to the Tuskers as the team's new part owner".Radcliffe, Jeff (August 19, 2010). [http://www.baynews9.com/article/sports/2010/august/139290/Report:-Joe-Theismann-in-talks-to-become-part-owner-of-Florida-Tuskers Joe Theismann in talks to become part owner of Florida Tuskers]{{dead link|date=March 2018 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes}}. BHSN.com. Retrieved August 19, 2010. Theismann expressed disappointment at the way he was treated during his time in the league and left the team when it was folded into the Virginia Destroyers in January 2011.Masters, Mark (June 24, 2011). "[http://sports.nationalpost.com/2011/06/24/unplugged-theismann-on-the-cfl-nfl-and-mark-trestman/ Unplugged: Theismann on the CFL, NFL and Marc Trestman] {{webarchive|url=https://archive.today/20120720020556/http://sports.nationalpost.com/2011/06/24/unplugged-theismann-on-the-cfl-nfl-and-mark-trestman/ |date=July 20, 2012}}". National Post. Retrieved June 25, 2011.

{{Reflist}}

{{Commons category|Joe Theismann}}

• {{Footballstats |nfl=Joe-Theismann

|ESPN= |cfl= |cbs= |si= |yahoo= |pfr=TheiJo00}}

• {{CFBHOF|2130}}
• [http://www.totalfootballstats.com/PlayerQB.asp?id=3804 Joe Theismann CFL & NFL Statistics] – totalfootballstats.com
• {{IMDb name|0005483|Joe Theismann}}
• [https://www.theismanns.com/ Joe Theismann's Restaurant]

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{{succession box | before = None| title = Super Bowl television color commentator
(prime-time package carrier) | years = 1984 (with Don Meredith) | after = Frank Gifford and Dan Dierdorf}}

{{s-end}}

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{{DEFAULTSORT:Theismann, Joe}}

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