Millions and millions of words have been spoken, typed and written about New York Jets quarterback, Joe Namath. So many words, in fact, that most new articles that are written just hash over the exact same subjects that we have all read countless times before – Joe Namath’s knee… Joe Namath’s contract… Joe Namath’s audacity… Joe Namath’s women… And so on, and so forth.
I think that it would be impossible to totally escape the rehashing at this point, but the author of THIS ARTICLE that came out in the Kansas City Star yesterday makes a nice effort. He packs in a lot of the standard history, but also sheds a bit of light on Namath’s famed white shoes (they were standard black in college, covered in white tape), and then Namath himself proffers a rather positive idea about the wretched knees that he hobbled around on his entire career.
One of the things that I like about Joe Namath is that regardless of the amount of confidence or attitude that he may have had in the 1960s, he seems to be a humble man now, recognizing and praising the wonderful coaches that he played for, and the wonderful fortune that was bestowed upon him simply by playing for Sonny Werblin.
Namath… 70… wow
From the KC Star story: “His skills were exquisite … the best I had seen,” said Chiefs Hall of Fame middle linebacker Willie Lanier.
One (measly?) World Championship… did Namath waste those referenced skills? Stats be damned, doesn’t appear so, based on his contemporaries recollections.
From Lanier to Lombardi (who I read alternately revered & despised Joe Willie White Shoes) and many others in and around the game, Namath’s final stat line to include more ints than td passes belies the fact his peers felt he was the best QB in the game or at minimum no less than in the discussion.
That Joe Namath (the subject matter in the book ‘I Can’t Wait Till Tomorrow, ‘Cause I Get Better-Looking Everyday’)himself affirmed his own standing upon the football summit I too recall…be he never so humble was no one like Joe.
: )
On a purely statistical level, Namath was not an all time great. I think he preferred high risk plays. However, in the Super Bowl against the Colts, he played a savvy ball control game. He didn’t force passes, or throw bombs that could have been picked off.
Namath should be remembered more as a sports icon who along with Ali made the 1960’s a memorable sports decade.
I have commented about my U. T. Teammates before on the board. I would like one more. Pete Lammons and I were roommates in collage and after until I left the fold to get married.
I enjoyed many evenings in NY with joe and his posy, he always treated me as one of the guys even though Texas did beat him in the orange bowl my last yr there. I did give him a little grief about that. However I must admit that if he would healthy Alabama would have beat us.
Joe was one of the players to give a eulogy at Jim Hudson’s funeral. He was one the best speakers, very humble and he inserted a spiritual tone of Gods goodness to him. No other speaker did that.
He looked great and very healthy. I will always have respect for him as a man and athlete.
Ted
One thing every one forgets? Or maybe they don’t and just like to gloss over it. Joe Namath’s 4000 yards came in a 14 game season…in the time that DBs could play Bump and run, and beat the heck out of recievers, as they came off the line, AND…downfield.
Only a handful of receivers in the game today, could have shone under that pressure. Joe, ( as most QBs in that area) Called his plays at the Line.and did it for most of the Superbowl. HAd Don Maynard not had a bad leg, the score would have been worse.
I only wish I could have a Copy of the the Game between the RAiders and the Jets, that sent the Jets to the Super Bowl…THAT…was the Real Championship game.
Been a Jet Fan since 1967
… [Trackback]
[…] Find More to that Topic: talesfromtheamericanfootballleague.com/a-different-take-on-joe-namaths-knee-etc/ […]
… [Trackback]
[…] Information on that Topic: talesfromtheamericanfootballleague.com/a-different-take-on-joe-namaths-knee-etc/ […]
… [Trackback]
[…] Here you will find 51705 more Information to that Topic: talesfromtheamericanfootballleague.com/a-different-take-on-joe-namaths-knee-etc/ […]
… [Trackback]
[…] Find More Info here to that Topic: talesfromtheamericanfootballleague.com/a-different-take-on-joe-namaths-knee-etc/ […]
… [Trackback]
[…] Find More on that Topic: talesfromtheamericanfootballleague.com/a-different-take-on-joe-namaths-knee-etc/ […]
… [Trackback]
[…] Find More on to that Topic: talesfromtheamericanfootballleague.com/a-different-take-on-joe-namaths-knee-etc/ […]
… [Trackback]
[…] Read More on on that Topic: talesfromtheamericanfootballleague.com/a-different-take-on-joe-namaths-knee-etc/ […]
… [Trackback]
[…] There you will find 6987 more Info to that Topic: talesfromtheamericanfootballleague.com/a-different-take-on-joe-namaths-knee-etc/ […]
… [Trackback]
[…] Info on that Topic: talesfromtheamericanfootballleague.com/a-different-take-on-joe-namaths-knee-etc/ […]
… [Trackback]
[…] Read More on to that Topic: talesfromtheamericanfootballleague.com/a-different-take-on-joe-namaths-knee-etc/ […]
… [Trackback]
[…] Find More here to that Topic: talesfromtheamericanfootballleague.com/a-different-take-on-joe-namaths-knee-etc/ […]
… [Trackback]
[…] Here you will find 60981 more Information on that Topic: talesfromtheamericanfootballleague.com/a-different-take-on-joe-namaths-knee-etc/ […]
… [Trackback]
[…] Find More to that Topic: talesfromtheamericanfootballleague.com/a-different-take-on-joe-namaths-knee-etc/ […]
… [Trackback]
[…] Read More here on that Topic: talesfromtheamericanfootballleague.com/a-different-take-on-joe-namaths-knee-etc/ […]
… [Trackback]
[…] Read More Info here on that Topic: talesfromtheamericanfootballleague.com/a-different-take-on-joe-namaths-knee-etc/ […]
… [Trackback]
[…] Read More Info here to that Topic: talesfromtheamericanfootballleague.com/a-different-take-on-joe-namaths-knee-etc/ […]
… [Trackback]
[…] Find More Info here on that Topic: talesfromtheamericanfootballleague.com/a-different-take-on-joe-namaths-knee-etc/ […]
… [Trackback]
[…] There you will find 5920 more Information to that Topic: talesfromtheamericanfootballleague.com/a-different-take-on-joe-namaths-knee-etc/ […]
… [Trackback]
[…] Find More Info here on that Topic: talesfromtheamericanfootballleague.com/a-different-take-on-joe-namaths-knee-etc/ […]
… [Trackback]
[…] Read More to that Topic: talesfromtheamericanfootballleague.com/a-different-take-on-joe-namaths-knee-etc/ […]
… [Trackback]
[…] Find More Information here to that Topic: talesfromtheamericanfootballleague.com/a-different-take-on-joe-namaths-knee-etc/ […]
… [Trackback]
[…] Read More Information here on that Topic: talesfromtheamericanfootballleague.com/a-different-take-on-joe-namaths-knee-etc/ […]
… [Trackback]
[…] There you will find 61941 additional Info to that Topic: talesfromtheamericanfootballleague.com/a-different-take-on-joe-namaths-knee-etc/ […]
… [Trackback]
[…] Read More to that Topic: talesfromtheamericanfootballleague.com/a-different-take-on-joe-namaths-knee-etc/ […]
… [Trackback]
[…] Info on that Topic: talesfromtheamericanfootballleague.com/a-different-take-on-joe-namaths-knee-etc/ […]
… [Trackback]
[…] Information on that Topic: talesfromtheamericanfootballleague.com/a-different-take-on-joe-namaths-knee-etc/ […]
… [Trackback]
[…] Information on that Topic: talesfromtheamericanfootballleague.com/a-different-take-on-joe-namaths-knee-etc/ […]
… [Trackback]
[…] Read More to that Topic: talesfromtheamericanfootballleague.com/a-different-take-on-joe-namaths-knee-etc/ […]
… [Trackback]
[…] Find More on on that Topic: talesfromtheamericanfootballleague.com/a-different-take-on-joe-namaths-knee-etc/ […]
… [Trackback]
[…] Find More on to that Topic: talesfromtheamericanfootballleague.com/a-different-take-on-joe-namaths-knee-etc/ […]