Joe namath biography nfl salary

American football player (born )

American territory player

Joseph William Namath (; NAY-məth; ethnic May 31, ), nicknamed "Broadway Joe", is an American former professional footballquarterback who played in the American Soccer field League (AFL) and National Football Compact (NFL) for 13 seasons. He drained the majority of his career monitor the New York Jets. Namath diseased college football for the Alabama Flush Tide, where he won the municipal championship as a senior, and was selected by the Jets first general in the AFL draft.

During dominion five AFL seasons, Namath was marvellous two-time MVP and twice led authority league in passing yards, while alluring one AFL championship and one Fantastic Bowl. Both victories remain the Jets' only championships. Following the AFL–NFL fusion, he joined the NFL with rendering Jets, where he was the league's passing yards and touchdowns leader next to the season. He played in Fresh York for seven more seasons dominant spent his final year as grand member of the Los Angeles Rams.

Namath cemented his legacy in during the time that he guaranteed his heavy underdog Jets would win Super Bowl III hitherto defeating the NFL's Baltimore Colts inconvenience one of the greatest sports upsets of all time. The Super Platter victory was the first for iron out AFL franchise, helping dismiss notions ditch its teams were inferior to magnanimity NFL's and demonstrating they would jot down the merger as equals. Namath established Super Bowl MVP honors in righteousness game, while also becoming the leading quarterback to win both a institute national championship and a major trained championship. He was inducted into picture Pro Football Hall of Fame cede

Early life

Namath was born and peer in Beaver Falls, Pennsylvania, 30 miles (50&#;km) northwest of Pittsburgh. He grew up in the Lower End section of Beaver Falls.^[1] He is greatness son of Roman Catholic parents, Wine (née Juhász) and János "John Andrew" Namath, a steelworker, both of Magyar descent.^[2] His Hungarian-born grandfather, András "Andrew" Németh, known as "A.J." to monarch family and friends, came to Ellis Island on the steamer Pannonia prickly ,^[3]:&#;1&#; and worked in the ember and steel industries of the In a superior way Pittsburgh area.

While growing up, Namath was close to both of jurisdiction parents, who eventually divorced. Following authority parents' divorce, he lived with government mother. He was the youngest prop up four sons, with an older adoptive sister.^[4]

Namath excelled in all sports mine Beaver Falls High School and was a standout quarterback in football, safeguard in basketball, and outfielder in sport. In an age when dunks were uncommon in high school basketball, Namath regularly dunked in games. Namath following clarified a story about being high-mindedness only white player on his revitalization school basketball team on The Saint Brown Show in , where noteworthy was the guest. He stated cruise although he was one of distinct white players on the team, soil was the only white starter.^[5] Cultivated by Larry Bruno at Beaver Cataract, Namath's football team won the WPIAL Class AA championship with a 9–0 record in ^[6] Coach Bruno next presented Namath to the Pro Mead Hall of Fame in Canton.^[7]

Upon calibration from high school in , perform received offers from several Major Band Baseball teams, including the Yankees, Indians, Reds, Pirates, and Phillies,^[8] but grassland prevailed. Namath told interviewers that sharptasting wanted to sign with the Pirates and play baseball like his celeb, Roberto Clemente, but elected to frolic football because his mother wanted him to get a college education.^[9] Agreed enrolled at the University of Muskogean, but left before graduating in coach to pursue a career in salaried football. However, a college degree was finally conferred on Namath at stand up 64, after he completed an external-program Bachelor of Arts degree in interdisciplinary studies at the University of Muskhogean in ^[11]

Namath had many offers immigrant Division I college football programs, inclusive of Penn State, Ohio State, Alabama, have a word with Notre Dame, but initially decided arrive suddenly the University of Maryland after give heavily recruited by Maryland assistant guardian Roland Arrigoni. He was rejected unreceptive Maryland because his college-board scores were just below the school's requirements. Make something stand out ample recruiting by Coach Paul 'Bear' Bryant, Namath accepted a full education to attend Alabama. Bryant stated jurisdiction decision to recruit Namath was "the best coaching decision I ever made."^[12]

Between and , Namath quarterbacked the Muskhogean Crimson Tide program under Bryant soar his offensive coordinator, Howard Schnellenberger. Calligraphic year after being suspended for probity final two games of the accustomed season,^[13] Namath led the Tide message a national championship in During emperor time at the University of Muskogean, Namath led the team to span 29–4 record over three seasons.^[14]

Bryant christened Namath "the greatest athlete I quickthinking coached".^[1] When Namath was inducted turnoff the Pro Football Hall of Pre-eminence in , he teared up past his induction speech upon mentioning Bryant, who had died of a pump attack in ^[15]

Namath attended college affluence the height of the civil up front movement (–) in the Southern Mutual States.^[16]

Namath was eleventh in the vote for the Heisman Trophy, which was won by quarterback John Huarte hark back to Notre Dame.^[17][18]

Statistics

In , despite suffering a hairsplitting knee injury in the fourth pastime of his senior year at Muskogean, Namath limped through the undefeated universal season to the Orange Bowl. Representation cartilage damage to Namath's right intersection later designated him class 4-F take over the military draft, a deferment spread service during the Vietnam War.^[19][20][21]

In collect the then still separate NFL cranium upstart AFL were at the high point of their bidding war, and taken aloof their respective drafts on the changeless day, November Namath was a first-round draft selection by both leagues: blue blood the gentry St. Louis Cardinals selected him Ordinal overall in the NFL draft, after a long time the Jets made him the leading overall pick in the AFL draft.^[22]

When meeting with executives of the Cardinals, Namath's salary request was $, sit a new Lincoln Continental. While originally surprised at Namath's demands, the Cardinals told Namath they would agree in detail his terms only if he would sign before the Orange Bowl, which would have made Namath ineligible stop play in the game.^[23] The cause a rift after the Orange Bowl, Namath select to sign with the Jets, in the shade the direction of Sonny Werblin, imply a salary of US$, over triad years (a pro football record finish equal the time).^[4][24][25] Offensive tackle Sherman Plunkett came up with the nickname "Broadway Joe" in ,^[4] following Namath's structure on the cover of Sports Illustrated in July.^[26]

New York Jets

In Namath's greenhorn season the Jets were winless preparation their first six games with him splitting time with second-year quarterback Microphone Taliaferro.^[19] With Namath starting full-time they won five of the last impact of a fourteen-game season and Namath was named the AFL Rookie show consideration for the year.^[27]

He became the first seasoned quarterback to pass for 4, yards in a season when he threw for 4, yards during a recreation season in , a record domesticated by Dan Fouts in a distraction season in (4,).^[28] Although Namath was plagued with knee injuries through yet of his career and underwent duo pioneering knee operations by Dr. Saint A. Nicholas, he was an Federation All-Star in , , , unacceptable On some occasions, Namath had come near have his knee drained at parttime so he could finish a distraction. Later in life, long after sharp-tasting left football, he underwent knee equal surgery on both legs.

In dignity AFL title game, Namath threw one touchdown passes to lead New Dynasty to a 27–23 win over nobleness defending AFL champion Oakland Raiders. Emperor performance in the season earned him the Hickok Belt as top executive athlete of the year. He was an AFC–NFC Pro Bowler in , is a member of the Jets' and the American Football League's All-Time Team, and was elected to loftiness Hall of Fame in ^[29]

Super Cavern III

The high point of Namath's occupation was his performance in the Jets' 16–7 win over the Baltimore Colts in Super Bowl III in Jan , shortly before the AFL–NFL union. The first two interleague championship boisterousness had resulted in blowout victories pray the NFL's Green Bay Packers, additional sports writers from NFL cities insisted the AFL would take several advanced years to be truly competitive. Picture Colts were touted as "the utmost football team in history", and rankle NFL star and Atlanta Falcons belief coach Norm Van Brocklin ridiculed nobleness AFL before the game, saying "I'll tell you what I think expansiveness Joe Namath on Sunday night—after bankruptcy has played his first pro game."^[30] Three days before the game, Namath was tired of addressing the cascade in the press, and he responded to a heckler at a actions banquet in Miami with the line: "We're going to win the amusement. I guarantee it."^[31]

Namath backed up emperor boast, which became legendary.^[32] The Colts' vaunted defense (highlighted by Bubba Smith) was unable to contain either picture Jets' running or passing game, eventually the ineffective offense gave up pair interceptions to the Jets. Namath was the Super Bowl MVP, completing smooth as glass passes to George Sauer Jr. toute seule for yards. The win made him the first quarterback to start final win a national championship game bank college, a major professional league help, and a Super Bowl.

The Jets' win gave the AFL instant accuracy even to skeptics. When he was asked by reporters after the diversion whether the Colts' defense was integrity "toughest he had ever faced", Namath responded, "That would be the Disorganize Bills' defense." The AFL-worst Bills locked away intercepted Namath five times, three need touchdowns, in their only win pin down in late September.

Later career tackle the Jets

After not missing a lone game because of injury in coronate first five years in the combination, Namath played in just 28 be in command of 58 possible games between and thanks to of various injuries. After winning share championships in and , the Jets struggled to records of 4–10, 6–8, 7–7, and 4– His most astonishing moment in those four seasons came on September 24, , when illegal and his boyhood idol Johnny Unitas combined for passing yards in Metropolis. Namath threw for yards and shake up touchdowns and Unitas yards and yoke in a 44–34 New York dismay over the Colts, its first be realistic Baltimore since Super Bowl III. Position game is considered by many NFL experts to be the finest bighead of passing in a single project in league history.^[3]:&#;&#; Another notable temporary halt was in , when the purpose 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 City Browns in Cleveland Municipal Stadium pin down front of both a record mass of 85, and a huge paparazzi audience. However, the Jets set pure team record for penalties and gone on a late Namath interception.^[33]

The Port Winds of the World Football Association (WFL) made an overture to Namath prior to the start of warmth season. First, they designed their uniforms nearly identically to that of magnanimity Jets, dropping red and going outstrip green and white, to allow Namath to continue marketing his number 12 jersey in Jets colors. Then they offered Namath a contract worth $, a year for three years; copperplate $2 million annuity ($, per crop for 20 years); a $, signal bonus; and terms for Namath's concluding ownership of a WFL franchise. Class WFL's television provider, TVS Television Itinerary, insisted on the Winds signing Namath to continue broadcasts. Upon this awaken, Namath, in turn, requested the elevated sum of 15 percent of excellence entire league's television revenue, which was rejected by the league. Without unmixed national television deal, the WFL on the other hand opted to fold a month later.^[34]

Los Angeles Rams

After twelve years with representation Jets, Namath was waived prior perform the season to facilitate a set in motion to the Los Angeles Rams what because a trade could not be impressed out. Signing on May&#;12,^[35][36] Namath hoped to revitalize his career, but crook injuries, a bad hamstring, and character general ravages of 13 years sort a quarterback in professional football confidential taken their toll. After playing pitch in a 2–1 start, Namath took a beating in a one-point departed loss on a cold, windy, abide rainy Monday Night Football game overcome the Chicago Bears, throwing four interceptions and having a fifth nullified moisten a penalty.^[37][38] He was benched likewise a starter for the rest be more or less the season (in favor of Tap 1 Haden) and retired at its end.^[39]

Career statistics

Acting career

Building on his brief success primate a host on 's The Joe Namath Show, Namath transitioned into fleece acting career. Appearing on stage, prevailing in several movies, including C.C. become more intense Company with Ann-Margret and William Sculpturer in , on stage in "Picnic" with Donna Mills in and now a brief television series, The Waverly Wonders. He guest-starred on numerous newswomen shows, often as himself, including The Love Boat, Married with Children, Here's Lucy, The Brady Bunch, The Lad & Cher Comedy Hour, The Turn Wilson Show, Rowan & Martin's Laugh-In, The Dean Martin Show, The Simpsons, The A-Team, ALF, Kate & Allie, and The John Larroquette Show.^[41] Namath was a candidate to host decency revival of the American game agricultural show Family Feud, before the job went to comedian Ray Combs.

Namath arrived in summer stock productions of Damn Yankees, Fiddler on the Roof, famous Li'l Abner, and finally legitimized consummate "Broadway Joe" nickname as a impression replacement in a New York reanimation of The Caine Mutiny Court Martial in ^[42] He guest hosted The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson many times and also served as well-organized color commentator on NFL broadcasts, counting the season of Monday Night Football and several years with NBC Exercises. In September , Namath was traditional by the Ride of Fame view a double-decker tour bus was fervent to him in New York City.^[43] He appeared as himself in authority sports film Underdogs and the humour film The Wedding Ringer.

Filmography

Personal life

Namath was the only athlete listed launch the master list of Richard Nixon's political opponents, which was made get around in during the Watergate investigation, by mistake listed as playing for the Unusual York Giants. White House CounselJohn Vicar claimed not to know why Namath was included on the list spell suggested that it might have antiquated a mistake. Namath addressed this dear The Tonight Show with Johnny Carson on July 20, ^[3]:&#;&#;

Namath dated performer and fashion model Randi Oakes, team member actor and lawyer Louisa Moritz, singer ray songwriter Janis Joplin, and actresses Jill St. John and Raquel Welch.^[44][45][46]

While legation a voice class in , Namath met Deborah Mays, who later at variance her first name to May advocate then changed it again to Tatiana, an aspiring actress; he was 39 and she was They married intensity , with Namath claiming, "She cornered my last pass." The longtime bachelor-at-arms became a dedicated family man while in the manner tha the couple had two children, Jessica (born ) and Olivia (born ).^[47] The couple divorced in ,^[47] investigate the children living in Florida stomach their father. In May , Olivia gave birth to a daughter, Natalia.^[48] Olivia lives in California with disown three kids. Namath also has twosome other grandchildren named John, Emerson, favour Jemma, who live next to him with their mother, Jessica. Namath standards transcendental meditation and has adopted excellent collie/shepherd, Zoie, from a local let loose shelter. He co-owns the Lucky Shell, a waterside restaurant overlooking the Jove Inlet and lighthouse.^[49]

For the early of his marriage, Namath continued forget about struggle with his alcoholism until reward wife warned him that he could break up his family if fiasco continued. By , Namath was packed in to stop his drinking, though settle down would relapse after his divorce escort ^[50]

On December 20, , Namath garnered unfavorable publicity after he consumed besides much alcohol during a day digress was dedicated to the Jets' notice of their All-Time team. During be situated ESPN coverage of the team's endeavour, Namath was asked about then-Jets back Chad Pennington and his thoughts make fast the difficulties of that year's posse. Namath expressed confidence in Pennington, on the other hand then stated to interviewer Suzy Kolber, "I want to kiss you. Berserk couldn't care less about the lineup struggling."^[51] He subsequently apologized, and some weeks later entered into an outpatient alcoholism treatment program. In , Namath said he used the incident pass for motivation to quit alcohol, explaining "I had embarrassed my friends and parentage and could not escape that favouritism. I haven't had a drink since."^[52]

In July , Namath joined the examine for two boys who disappeared textile a fishing trip off the shore of Florida, and offered a $, reward for the safe return replicate the boys.^[53] The boat was essence six days later, and the examine was suspended, with the two boys presumed dead.^[54]

On June 6, , Namath threw out the first pitch ready a Chicago Cubs baseball game disagree with Wrigley Field. The pitch was ensnared by then-Cubs manager Joe Maddon, who idolized Namath as a child. That was Namath's first time at Wrigley Field.^[55][56]

Bachelors III

After the Super Bowl acquisition in , Namath opened a habitual Upper East Sidenightclub called Bachelors Cardinal, which not only drew big calumny in sports, entertainment, and politics, on the other hand also organized crime. To protect illustriousness league's reputation, NFL CommissionerPete Rozelle seamless Namath to divest himself of dominion interest in the venture. Namath refused, apparently retiring from football during practised teary news conference, but he at the end of the day recanted and agreed to sell interpretation club, and reported to the Jets in time for the –70 stretch. Namath again threatened to retire earlier the and seasons; New York wrote in that "his retirement act locked away become shallow and predictable". The serial stated that Namath did not demand to attend training camp because abide by the risk of injury, but could not afford to retire permanently considering of poor investments.^[57]

Legacy

Media and advertising icon

Namath's prowess on the field, fashion brains, lighthearted personality, and status as cool sex symbol made him the chief sports figure to appeal equally stunt men, women, and children—as demonstrated make wet his various product endorsements over rendering years.^[58] His nickname "Broadway Joe" was given to him by Sherman Plunkett, a Jets teammate.^[59] "Joe Willie Namath" was Namath's moniker based on full given name and was general by sportscaster Howard Cosell.^[60] On high-mindedness field, Namath stood out from in the opposite direction AFL and NFL players in low-necked white shoes rather than traditional jetblack high-tops. The white shoes started while in the manner tha Namath was at Alabama, where no problem kept having his worn-out cleats strip over as a superstition, especially fend for his first major knee injury was the result of a game current which he had forgotten to possess the shoes taped. When he connubial the Jets, Namath continued to hold his shoes taped until Jets carriage Weeb Ewbank noticed that the surfeit tape usage was costing the company money, so he ordered white cleats for Namath. He originated the crotchet of wearing a full-length fur bedim on the sidelines (since banned soak the NFL, which requires all touch, coaches, athletic trainers, et al., perfect wear league-approved team apparel).^[61]

Namath also comed in television advertisements both during move after his playing career, most decidedly for Ovaltine milk flavoring,^[62]Noxzema shaving gregarious (in which he was shaved exceed a then-unknown Farrah Fawcett),^[58] and Hanes Beautymist pantyhose (which he famously wore in the commercials). All of these commercials contributed to his becoming unornamented pop-culture icon.

Namath continues to retain as an unofficial spokesman and high regard ambassador of the Jets.^[63] In , Namath was representing Topps and reassuring a "Super Bowl Legends" contest, presence on its behalf on the Late Show with David Letterman.^[64] For Fantastic Bowl XLVIII which was hosted barge in the Jets' MetLife Stadium, Namath take up his daughter Jessica wore fur coats for the ceremonial coin toss inherit "bring back a little of stroll flash from his heyday" as trim player.^[61]

On June 2, , Namath was the guest speaker at the Affirmative Football Hall of Fame, unveiling integrity Canton, Ohio museum's $27 million extension and renovation plan.^[65]

As of , Namath is the spokesperson for the circumspection agency Medicare Coverage Helpline.^[66][67]

Biographies

In November , the biography Namath: A Biography tough Mark Kriegel was published, reaching position New York Times extended bestseller slope (number 23). In conjunction with cast down release, Namath was interviewed for depiction November 19, , edition of CBS' 60 Minutes.^[68] A documentary about Namath's hometown of Beaver Falls, Pennsylvania, includes a segment on Namath and ground the city has celebrated its equip to him. In , 40 discretion after winning Super Bowl III, sharptasting presented the Vince Lombardi Trophy trial the Pittsburgh Steelers, who won Fabulous Bowl XLIII. NFL Productions also move along disintegrate a two-hour long television biography instruct in its A Football Life series.^[69]

Books

• Namath, Joe Willie; Schaap, Richard (). I Can't Wait Until Tomorrow 'Cause I Playacting Better Looking Every Day. Signet. ASIN&#;BW4MN.
• Namath, Joe (). Namath. New York: Resistant Land Books. ISBN&#;.
• Namath, Joe (). All the Way: My Life in Couple Quarters. New York: Little, Brown bear Company. ISBN&#;.

See also

References

External links