Joe Namath

Joseph William Namath (born May 31, 1943) was an American football quarterback for the New York Jets in the 1960s best known for guaranteeing victory in Super Bowl III over Don Shula's Baltimore Colts, later the Modern day Indianapolis colts.

Namath was born in Beaver Falls, Pennsylvania and was a star player in football, as well as basketball and baseball, while in high school. When he graduated he received offers from six major-league baseball teams, but decided instead to avail himself of one of the many offers from college football programs, and attended the University of Alabama, playing under coach Bear Bryant from 1962-65. During this period the Crimson Tide rose to become a national force in college football.

Despite having suffered a serious knee injury in his senior year, Namath was the number-one draft pick the year he graduated from Alabama, and signed a contract with the AFL's New York Jets the day after starring in the Orange Bowl. (Soon afterward, the AFL merged with the NFL and became the AFC.)

Namath remained a star player while in professional ball, and the fortunes of the Jets enjoyed similar improvement to those of Alabama while Namath was playing for them. In 1969's Superbowl III, Namath completed 17 of 28 passes, leading the Jets to a 16-7 victory in an upset over the Colts. It is rumored that Joe Namath "guaranteed a victory" prior to the game. Although this practice is commonplace now, Joe Namath is credited with having been the first to make such a boast.

Namath opened a wildly popular upper east side Saloon in New York City called "Bachelors III." Unfortunately, low-to-mid level O.C. (organized crime) WISEGUYS began hanging out in the place almost immediately. So that the reputation of The Game would remain spotless, the NFL Commissioner, the late and legendary Pete Rozelle, ordered Namath to divest himself of his interest in the bar.

Namath reacted defiantly, retiring from Football during a teary News Conference. When he had missed as much of training camp as he thought he dared miss, Namath came out of "retirement" and reported to the then world Champion JETS. At the same time, he announced that he was selling his interest in Bachelors III. Two years later, when the saloon's bartenders staged a wildcat strike, Namath ran all the way from his apartment to the restaurant and took up duties behind The Stick. He could also be seen dining in the restaurant, while examining and initialling approval of personal checks written by customers and brought directly to his "Former Owner" table by the staff.

He also distinguished himself (NOT!) as an actor, co-starring with ever-gorgeous Ann-Margaret in the motion picture "C. C. Rider." HIs performance was not nominated for that year's Academy Award. On the other hand, NOBODY remembers who won the Academy Award, but Super Bowl-winning Quarterbacks are remembered forever.

He was also featured in an ad for women's pantyhose in 1974, which is mostly remembered because Joe was wearing the pantyhose when he says, "Now I don't wear panty hose, but if Beautymist can make my legs looks good, imagine what they'll do for yours". His nickname was "Broadway Joe"; he is sometimes called "Joe Willie Namath". He originated the fad of wearing a full-length fur coat on the sidelines, a habit which was adopted by many players after him. He still appears in ads.

A sports writer once sought to provoke Namath by inquiring whether or not it was true that Namath had majored in Basket Weaving while metriculating at Alabama. Namath replied, "I did for a while, but it was too hard, so I switched to Journalism."

He remains an unabashed JETS fan to this day.