[email protected]
After college, Joe Namath signed a professional contract with the New York Jets for what was then a record amount of money. In his first season, 1965, Namath was named the American Football League's (AFL) Rookie of the Year.
In 1967 Joe Namath -- who led the AFL in passing yardage -- became the first professional quarterback in history to pass for more than 4,000 yards in a single season. He was named the AFL's Most Valuable Player in 1968.
Joe Namath is perhaps best known for publicly guaranteeing the New York Jets would beat the Baltimore Colts in the 1969 Super Bowl. Going into the game, the Jets were 19 1/2-point underdogs. The Jets beat the Colts 16-7 to stun the sports world. Not only was Namath selected Most Valuable Player, but this game was considered instrumental in forging the eventual merger of the AFL and the National Football League.
During his professional career, Joe Namath appeared in five all-star games and was twice named Most Valuable Player. He received the prized Hickock Belt for Professional Athlete of the Year, the George Halas Award for Most Courageous Athlete and the Dodge Man of the Year Award.
Joe Namath played 12 seasons with the New York Jets and retired after one season with the Los Angeles Rams in 1977. He was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in Canton, Ohio on August 3, 1985.
Following his retirement from professional football, Joe Namath appeared in movies, in plays and on television. In addition, he served as an analyst for NBC Sports and ABC's Monday Night Football.
News
Related Speakers View all
Roger Staubach
Businessman; Heisman Trophy Winner & Hall of Fame Qu...
|
|
Dan Marino
Pro Football Hall of Famer, Business Owner & Founder...
|
|
Tiki Barber
NFL Former Pro Bowl Running Back & Founder of Thuzio
|
|
Earvin “Magic” Johnson
Basketball Hall of Famer, Entrepreneur, Philanthropi...
|
|
Boomer Esiason
NFL Football Legend & Studio Analyst
|
|
John Elway
Hall of Fame NFL Legend; Executive VP of Football Op...
|
|
George Foreman
World Boxing Champion & Entrepreneur
|
|
Bill Parcells
Former NFL Head Coach & Pro Football Hall of Fame In...
|
|
Billie Jean King
Former World #1 Professional Tennis Player & Sports ...
|
|
Caitlyn Jenner
TV Personality & Olympic Gold Medalist; Co-Host of "...
|
|
Mark Cuban
Serial Entrepreneur, Investor & Owner of the Dallas ...
|
|
Howie Long
NFL Hall of Famer & Superbowl Champion; Fox NFL Sund...
|
|
Akbar Gbajabiamila
Inspirational Former NFL Player & Broadcaster; Host ...
|
|
Dave Winfield
National Baseball Hall of Famer & Advisor to the Exe...
|
|
Bill Walton
Basketball Legend, Executive Chairman of Connect SD ...
|
|
Joe Torre
Chief Baseball Officer for Major League Baseball; Na...
|
|
Michael Strahan
Co-Host of "Good Morning America", "Fox NFL Sunday" ...
|
|
Ben Stein
Political Economist, Commentator, Author & Actor
|
|
Mark Spitz
Legendary Olympic Swimmer; Third Athlete to Win Nine...
|
|
Michael Phelps
Retired Professional Swimmer; Most Decorated Olympic...
|