Joe Namath

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American football star who took the New York Jets to a winning season at the Super Bowl III. He was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame and chosen quarterback of the All Time AFL team. He played for the New York Jets (1965–1976) and Los Angeles Rams (1977). Youngest of three brothers and a sister and small for his age, his senior year of high school, 1960, he shot to 6'2." Playing superbly that season, he was offered 52 college scholarships and a professional baseball contract with Kansas City. He accepted a scholarship at University of Alabama under Bear Bryant. During his sophomore year he led the team to the Orange Bowl and won that game on 1/01/1963. During his junior year he was suspended for drinking. In the fourth game during his senior year he had his first knee injury. Signed to the largest contract in football history in 1964 by the New York Jets, three years and $427,000, Namath had surgery to repair cartilage and ligaments in his right knee 23 days after signing. Known as Broadway Joe for his reputation with women, in his heyday the cocky quarterback was the swinging bachelor, cruising the top clubs and bars and squiring the hottest babes around town, telling reporters he liked his Johnny Walker Red and his women blonde. His professional debut was 9/18/1965. Named AFL Rookie of the Year and Most Valuable Player in the 1966 AFL All Star Game, he began his stellar rise. On 1/12/1969 he led the Jets to victory in Super Bowl III over the Baltimore Colts. Before the game he shocked everyone when he told reporters that the Jets would win. Joe was named MVP. Confident, with long hair, a Fu Manchu mustache, white shoes and a rocket arm, he changed the image of football players. On 10/18/1970 he fractured his right wrist and was out for the rest of the season. Joe missed 28 of 50 games between 1970 and 1973 due to knee, wrist and shoulder injuries. In 1971 Joe and John Dockey began a football camp for teens which still flourishes in 1999. He played a total of 12 years for the Jets with retirement 6/06/1970 to 7/18/1970 due to a dispute over his part ownership of a night club. Namath also played one year for the Los Angeles Rams. He was the first quarterback to throw for over 4,000 yards in a 14 game season in 1967, received the Hickock Belt for Professional Athlete of the Year, the George Halas Award for the Most Courageous Athlete and Dodge Man of the Year. His was the first number to be retired by the Jets. Retiring in 1978 to pursue a broadcasting career, after trying to make it in movies and falling short, he began singing lessons and stage acting. Joe still does the small theater circuit in dramatic and singing roles. He appeared in commercials including one for pantyhose and had a TV series, "The Waverly Wonders" in 1978. Namath met Deborah Mays in August 1983. After two ultimatums, one about dating other girls and one about his drinking due to two DUI arrests, they were wed on 11/07/1984. Their daughter Jessica was born early in 1985 followed by a second daughter. Namath settled down, big time. He traded his playboy lifestyle for some quiet family time and a lot of golf. After 14 years of marriage, he and his 18-year-younger wife have filed for divorce. She claims that the quiet lifestyle is fine for Joe but not for her. After his many operations, he now has plastic knee joints. Namath was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in Canton, OH in 8/1/1985. He makes a good living doing promo work for the NFL, EXPN Classic, CBS SportsLine and the investment firm Vestin Group. He also is seen on advertising for Pharmaceuticals and promoting awareness of arthritis. Link to Wikipedia biography