American · Beaver Falls, Pennsylvania · Born 31 May 1943New York Jets quarterback famous for guaranteeing and delivering victory in Super Bowl III, a landmark win for the AFL.
Joseph William Namath was born in Beaver Falls, Pennsylvania in 1943. He played college football at the University of Alabama under coach Bear Bryant before the New York Jets signed him for the then-unprecedented sum of $427,000 in 1965. His 13-season AFL and NFL career is defined by a single moment: his guarantee of victory before Super Bowl III against the heavily favoured Baltimore Colts in January 1969 — a boast he backed up with a 16-7 victory that legitimised the AFL and changed professional football forever. He threw for 27,663 yards and 173 touchdowns across his career. He became the first quarterback to throw for 4,000 yards in a season in 1967. His combination of natural talent, charisma and celebrity — he appeared in films, advertisements and was known as Broadway Joe for his New York nightlife — made him the first true superstar of the AFL era. Persistent knee injuries throughout his career limited his peak seasons. He was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1985. He threw for 206 yards in Super Bowl III and was named MVP.
Jets QB, guaranteed and won Super Bowl III
How They Played
Strong-armed pocket passer with quick release, charismatic field general
Lasting Impact
Transformed quarterback position into celebrity role, legitimized AFL in Super Bowl III upset
Career Honours
- Pro Football Hall of Fame 1985
- Super Bowl III champion & MVP
- 1968 AFL MVP
- 5x AFL/NFL All-Star selection
| Team | Period | Games |
|---|---|---|
| New York Jets | 1965–1976 | 140 |
| Los Angeles Rams | 1977–1977 | 4 |
American Athletes