Joe Namath: I was suspended for drinking

Joe Namath reflects on his relationship with the legendary University of Alabama football coach, Bear Bryant, including coach Bryant’s intimidating discipline.
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Episode debuted nationwide in 2010.
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[@colleenseibert5934]

I like the fact that Graham lets the person talk. Other interviewers don’t let the person finish one question and they are on to the next.

[@bebo5558]

With Joe you don't need to interrupt and pull or guide the story, ask a question and that ship will sail straight, on its own!

[@petehoward8494]

Graham is one of the best interviewers around today. Love his style. Ask great questions. Listen, and let them talk.

[@wvu05]

@@petehoward8494 He is definitely a throwback to interviewers like Dick Cavett.

[@jivepatrol6833]

Love Joe Willie Namath! He was a great QB and athlete and so much fun to watch. I am glad he is clean and sober and living a great life in retirement. All the best to "Broadway Joe"!!

[@Ditka-89]

That suspension story shows incredible integrity on the part of both Nameth and Bryant. What a time to be alive

[@llongdong]

Ho Ho!! "Integrity"?? Wee WEEEE! Beary Bryant, one of the most racist coaches in the history of the NCAA, "incredible integrity"?? Ho HO!

[@mrlaw711]

@@llongdong The man changed. He was influenced by where he was brought up. Doesn't mean he couldn't change his views...just saying.

[@michaelburkett5068]

@@llongdong Prove your statement about coach Bryant. I had two drivers that played for coach Bryant both black. They told me stories about Coach Bryant and neither of them said in your words he was a "racist".

[@Bamaboompa]

@@llongdong you are a lying motherfucker. Check your facts, starting with the Chitlin story.

[@gregfrank4115]

Turned out when Joe was suspended, he went to the Bryant home and told Mrs. Bryant what happened. They both had a good cry, and she arranged for Namath to stay in a basement apartment at their home for awhile. The coach either didn't know, or perhaps pretended not to know - I'm not sure.

[@jonathanwebb3024]

I could listen to Namath tell these stories all day long. Thanks for posting.

[@greenblood64]

I love Joe Namath. He’s so REAL. NO BULLSHIT ABOUT THIS GUY!

[@georgebaber681]

Joe, you were my favorite quarterback back then and always will be. I never missed watching your games on TV and cheering you on. You were the best and still are my man.

[@shawnweed265]

When I was a kid we all loved Roger Staubach, Fran Tarkenton, and Joe Namath...grew up and really didn't follow sports anymore...It's cool to see these interviews...Joe really seems to be a class act.

[@1sttvbn]

Same here, I really miss that era.

[@shawnweed265]

@@1sttvbn Rosie Greer too...loved the needle point.

[@b.a.brackus6371]

I could listen to Namath tell stories all day... Very interesting, charismatic man👍

[@carlesmauricio2909]

Love Joe Namath!! The influence of Coach Bryant is legendary.

[@MrSteveblue824]

Joe sure is a fascinating speaker. He speaks with both intensity and humility -and with the insight of a man who benefitted from the wisdom of having Coach Bryant as a mentor. Joe personifies a bygone era where one’s character and and code of honour defined who you were. I could listen to him talk for hours.

[@lizardworm9848]

His super bowl guarantee, and win, when I was 10, made me a football lover for life.

[@boomer6611]

Bryant's 'communications technique' ... old school, a standard is a standard.

[@philaman1972]

Man, Joe is over 70, still looks great, and possesses a sharp mind!

[@danamay1718]

There's a lot of older men like that. Sharp mentally.

[@Dakotaidk]

he sounds like every other football player after 40 years

[@fivepits]

Nn. Nn kb jbji. Oonbkboo k bobpk. kk ok kkkpbbbobkpkn kk onbknnn kbobkoobbooojjjojkojojjojjjjjjjjjobjobjiiiiiiiiiiihihihiijijjihihijijjiiiijiiiiiijjihiiiiiiihjiiiiiijiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiuijjiiijjjjiiuiiuiuuuuuiuiuuh@@danamay1718

[@fivepits]

Nn. Nn kb jbji. Oonbkboo k bobpk. kk ok kkkpbbbobkpkn kk onbknnn kbobkoobbooojjjojkojojjojjjjjjjjjobjobjiiiiiiiiiiihihihiijijjihihijijjiiiijiiiiiijjihiiiiiiihjiiiiiijiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiuijjiiijjjjiiuiiuiuuuuuiuiuuh@@danamay1718

[@rjmoney9]

@@Dakotaidk exactly... dude sounds like the CTE has eaten away half his brain. It’s sad to see/hear players, especially from the older eras when safety was not emphasized.

[@tidefanyankee2428]

LOVE Joe Namath, he was honest about what happened and made NO excuses. He's the reason I'm a Crimson Tide fan. One of the greatest QB's of all time.

[@FMHammyJ]

I've become a fan of Mr. Bensinger.....he asks pertinent questions, and then lets his guests speak......some late night hosts could take lessons.....

[@rogeranderson3278]

As a 14 year old back in 1969 my uncle bet me a dollar at 10 to one odds on the Colts winning the super bowl. I still have that $10 bill framed and hanging on my wall. Thanks Joe!

[@johnnywink8826]

Mr.Namath, you are a person well deserving of respect! I am your younger lookalike... xoxo.

[@fntime]

I'm Namath's age, back then people had standards. You were expected to have integrity and older people also had integrity. This uncompromising attention to rules were something many times younger people resented but they gave you a 'backbone'. Without character a person is 'lost at sea'. Bryant having to suspend Joe, today the coach would have kept it quiet so that his team could win. But, that falls into the category of winning fair and square. Took me personally many years to understand the wisdom that Bryant was teaching & living.

[@randykulesia4646]

I really admire people of great integrity and character. I look up to people who are stern and unwavering. I love strict rules and authority. Sounds weird coming from a 25 year old but I just am drawn to people who are a "No bullshit" type of person and idk why.

[@davanmani556]

It was George Wallace’s way.

[@Michelle-pn9xt]

Lots of people have standards. Meet new people.

[@fntime]

@@Michelle-pn9xt I never blame the young. The older generation is hear to teach the 'rules of life'. Sometime it's painful for both. Today many parents love their children but are 'enablers' In life, there is no easy way out. Also today there are too many rules, most unenforced. Definition of Morality: Living by your promises, even when it is painful & unpopular. "Nobody is going to carry you to heaven on a soft pillow!" If you are not up to the conseuences of a promise then don't make it.

[@Michelle-pn9xt]

@@fntime I said meet new people. What are you talking about? Here,not hear. If someone is older, it is because they were born before someone else. Everyone is not capable of teaching other people. I know more than people who are much older than I am, so I do not agree with you. The older people I have met are not wisdom. They do not have more wisdom. They are simply older. Everyone has a time to be young, and everyone will become old. That is the way life works out. Funny isn't it???????? Wisdom comes from God, not old age. I can teach you many things and you may teach me something even though we are in different age groups. If you live a long time, you may gain knowledge. You never have any wisdom at all. The world is full of dumb older people and smart young people. The reverse is also true. I listen to people if they know more about a topic. I do not listen because someone has lived a long time. What is the person is an old man who does nothing besides drinking alcohol and sleeping all day?

[@ncy614]

Guys from this era are so much more classy than people of today !

[@ncy614]

guinness4life Yes but they did it with class no hats side ways looking like a momo they just were cooler than 20-30 year olds today .

[@chriscurtis8344]

They had fathers who were men. If not they had older brothers that weren't losers.

[@ilikewaffles889]

ncy614 Just depends on the man

[@CharlestonHestons]

Huge over generalization, it's a little hard to find because it's not newsworthy but lots of class out there today as well.

[@patrickreilly2338]

Yes sir go navy gonna spank china

[@SteamControlValve]

Great video. Thanks. Joe Willie . One of the greatest!

[@Newtrus]

Joe looks great. Older and wiser. Have a great one! great interview

[@robfmas]

I find these interviews with Joe Namath so interesting, and I like how he straight up tells it like it was, no bull...

[@willminkorea2010]

Best interview I've ever seen with Namath

[@declanp1]

willminkorea2010 he seemed sober.

[@tidefanyankee2428]

Dogon Backwards. That was a cheap shot. Joe realized he had a problem and he took steps to correct it. NONE of us are perfect and generally those who want to take shots at others are the most flawed of us all.

[@declanp1]

@@tidefanyankee2428 I wasn't talking a shot.

[@viralbuthow000]

His interview with Howard Stern was very good.

[@bgmeadows6085]

Joe is a class-act. He stands head and shoulders above all those shallow drama queen players we have to deal with today.

[@davidcanter6177]

Joe will always be my Hero!

[@jimskarks7249]

Bear gave him what he needed. Look where he went from there. Champion, super bowl. Super Star, honorable Man and Father. Seeds sown in ALABAMA

[@jacc9061]

What integrity and decency.

[@rogerwilliams5366]

Excellent interview. Very well done.

[@GrahamBensinger]

Thanks Roger, glad you enjoyed it! -AD

[@miketimothy6642]

Let me tell you we all falter in life, no one is perfect. My story with Mr. Namath I cherish today. Back in 1972 our 6-8th grade football banquet was held at a VFW hall in New Jersey. My dad, our neighbor and his boys attended. After the awards my dad calls me over to his table and who is with him, Joe Namath and Emerson Boozer. They had handed out some of the awards. My dad says kid introduce yourself to these great men. I shake their hands and they both autograph their beer coaster. Two things made an impact. How kind they were and that they were hanging out with my dad drinking beer and smoking cigarettes. Players today would never do this.

[@user-zn8kd5bx5u]

they would be high on drugs and listening to rap.....

[@stephensmithsr.9990]

I always knew I admired Joe Namath, this just made the opinion justified.

[@JohntheNobleSavage]

As the legend goes when Joe was recruited from Beaver Falls, Pennsylvania Coach Bryant sent his primary assistant with the instructions: "no matter what if he doesn't come back with you then don't you come back either!" Legend Number Two: One of the most infamous bars at that time was known as the "Jungle Club" which was in a small town Cottondale which was adjacent to Tuscaloosa. Apparently something happened there one night that upset the apple cart. Coach Bryant did not want to suspend Joe but as Joe wells knows Coach Bryant had no choice. Since I was born and reared in Tuscaloosa in a neighborhood directly behind "Bachelor Three" on fifteenth street I am extremely familiar with "Alabama Football" from when Coach Bryant returned to Pat Trammels national championship team in 1961. I was on the quadrangle when then President Kennedy called to congratulate the team. In my view there has never been a player with as much natural athletic ability either before or after as "Indian Joe."

[@ryanhughes9291]

Great stories about Bryant

[@Colt-ii4qn]

What a humble guy, love ya Joe 👍👍🙏🏻

[@FootballRob2010]

I always get a kick out of how Joe says "players" lol

[@ronniewilliams3691]

Joe is so articulate when he tells a story. I loved his show. Who would ask Muhammad Ali, "How does it feel to be in the presence of a superstar?" Must have floored Ali. The look on Ali's face. Priceles.

[@festivelady826]

Joe Namath is the most charismatic man that ever lived. He's even sexier than he was in his youth. I still have my No.12 Jets jersey with his name on the back.

[@CadillacJak]

Class act

[@ezmoney79]

I'd love to meet Joe Namoth, it's great he has so much respect for coach Bear Bryant and always speaks highly of him

[@ezmoney79]

@Rivers Carmack you're a wimp, you keep reporting my replys to your stupid comments what a wuss

[@ezmoney79]

@Rivers Carmack like BAMA, I'ma winner RTR you're a pussy wimp like your conference

[@ezmoney79]

@Rivers Carmack how many times has osu made the playoffs compare that too how many times BAMA has, 1 for osu 5 for BAMA, how many Nattys has osu won in the last 10 years umm 1 ok BAMA has won 5 in the last,10 years, 17 overall dipshit sounds to me like BAMA gets there more times than Osu, 4 times more as a matter of fact, OSU will never accomplish what BAMA already has and we still keep adding to it you're just stupid you have no argument BAMA is way way way more prestigious than OSU easily

[@ezmoney79]

@Rivers Carmack boy I bet I own a better house than you, furthermore it's better to lead in championships than Heismans, Bear Bryant played alot of different players he didn't hilite just one thats why we only have two Heismans, but t TUA should have won one, we have 17 Nattys that's better than Heismans, BAMA has great TEAMS not just one player, Mac Jones is better than Fields, and BAMA is better than OSU, they use to call the big 10 the big 2 and little 8 that's about all y'all still have just one occasionally 2 ok teams in any given year, imagine how successful BAMA would be playing a big 10 schedule every year, and osu would do no better than middle of the conference in the SEC most years RTR osu ain't shit y'all just smell like it, pussy ass conference you're a joke

[@ezmoney79]

@Rivers Carmack to tell you the truth I was trash talking too it's all good in reality OSU is a great team and well I know y'all love beating TTUN as much as we like beating auburn anyway good luck it would be a good game if OSU and BAMA meet in the playoffs, both are heading that way if corona doesn't kick everybodys ass so far it's only getting our opponents, that's not good either anyway take care

[@jonvia]

Great clip here!!! Had no idea what a storyteller Joe Namath is.

[@galeabernathy3921]

I love Joe Namath!!!!!!

[@summerbreeze553]

He's a good storyteller.

[@Shinobi33]

One of the best

[@abc456f]

@@Shinobi33 He has that "it" factor. Very charismatic. Sharp as a tack.

[@Dakotaidk]

is this a joke? There's so many jump cuts trying to piece together his ramblings, it gives me a headache

[@ChosenPlaysYT]

“Someone had told coach I was downtown drunk directing traffic.” Lmao

[@JStarStar00]

Joe looks really good. He ought to come back to teevee commentary. There are people 40 years younger who sound terrible.

[@1sttvbn]

The ESPN Monday night crew are dreadful.

[@Trey-jl9ru]

Joe cool for a reason

[@MrSlicer2424]

Graham's Cadence drives me absolutely batshit crazy.

[@creepshowcrate]

It sounds like a half-ass imitation of Bob Costas.

[@written12]

I'm afraid so. He's definitely listened and watched Costas alot.

[@danyluk1]

Very weak camera presence. ...

[@__B--MAN__]

That's funny, Nammoth didn't tell this guy the total truth in this interview. He had more than one drink that particular night and when he was moved out of the dorm it was to coach Bryant's house for that off season he was suspended so Bryant could keep an eye on him. LOL

[@toddciotti3324]

Wow! This guy is a great interviewer. He either is a great fan of Namath or he really took his homework seriously

[@2009blahblah]

He is awesome check out his interview with george foreman

[@SuperStrik9]

I like Broadway Joe.

[@patrickreilly2338]

Ya me to class

[@pauladupree8679]

We need more men like you in this world Joe!

[@andrewr7982]

Coaches would never do that now

[@troutaholic8834]

As a kid growing in up in western Pennsylvania, everybody wanted to be Broadway Joe. I even wore Puma shoes like him. Joe is the original king of cool.

[@jmua8450]

Paul W. Bryant, the MASTER motivator and teacher.

[@drewhendley]

Order & Respect... without it you have Chaos!

[@doc8013]

Without chaos there is now such thing as order and respect.

[@jasondeppenbrook8999]

Namath is from my Hometown Beaver Falls P.A. I have a personalized autographed pic of him from his rookie season got it from my dad.his mother lived two blocks from my childhood home.

[@thewiseowl3672]

Namath showed respect which is lacking with today’s youth.

[@nartarlyiatremaynne1239]

Joe the Universe was Showing Off when You Were Made. Australia 4.19pm

[@TexWatson-sh8vf]

Speaking as a Vol fan who hates bama I respect Joe. I could listen to him talk about times gone bye all night long.

[@lendrury2771]

Seen this Alki laid out on a bench in Central Park Fifth of whiskey in his hand

[@TheMangoMussolini]

Bear Bryant. Shug Jordan. Back during my childhood in Alabama, these 2 men dominated. Probably the funniest thing Gov. George Wallace said was during a reelection speech in Birmingham and Bear and Shug were on the podium with him. Gov. Wallace's first comment after the introduction by the two coaches was "Boy, I'm sure lucky I'm not running against these two guys!". The Sugar Bowl suspension: Historic. And sent shivers through every single Roll Tide fan. But even as young as I was, I knew everyone understood and accepted Bear's action. Nowadays? How many lies would be spun to cover it up?

[@Bamaboompa]

1964 walking home from the 5th Grade, we'd stop by practice. Ask Joe, even at that age you knew what it meant to hear the chain rattle. Coach was coming down from The Tower, and he would NOT be in a good mood. One day as they were jogging off the practice field I said Hi to Joe. With that grin, he pulled off his chin strap and handed it to me. He was one cool & cocky Son Of A Bitch! Roll Tide!!!!!!!

[@mikec.9130]

Namath may have done some bad things -- but hes a good guy.

[@carrrexx7190]

Who hasn't?

[@XYZ-lz3xv]

I love that man, a real down to earth man, salt of the earth. Notice how he didn't exactly have "many" good things to say about the Muslim draft dodger. That draft dodger wouldn't have been sent anywhere close to combat but plenty of regular middle class and poor young men of ALL races served their duty and I respect THEM much more than any boxing victory he had....And I would've told him to his face if I ever met him personally

[@GrievousAngelo]

@@XYZ-lz3xv I'd love to see that. He'd knock your bigoted ugly block off. Moron.

[@patrickfurlong8221]

What are some of the bad things he has done ?

[@67marlins81]

@@GrievousAngelo You're the moron bigot, not to mention coward.

[@jaybiggs7021]

One of the GREATEST EVER....and looks exactly like Abraham LIncoln just noticed that

[@danf7568]

This is my definition of what it means to a man that deserves attention and respect.

[@user-db6pt7vr3l]

That the suspension had to hurt big time. Good for the coach.

[@lendrury2771]

Namath wasn't shy about the nose candy either The ol boy did enjoy his coke

[@cpresley2279]

You and bear made Alabama

[@mikep6979]

Bullet Summary: - Joe Namath discusses his experiences playing for Coach Paul "Bear" Bryant - Namath describes Bryant as a mentor and a friend with a strong work ethic - Bryant demanded respect from his players and had a way of getting their attention - Namath recalls a time when he turned his back on Bryant and was physically confronted - Namath was suspended from the team for breaking a training rule, but still praised Bryant's tough love and the lessons he learned from him.

[@donoakman1507]

Yes..and the coach demanded more from them. ..including respect..thats the difference now too many players are not team guys and do not respect coaches enough

[@troutaholic8834]

Broadway Joe. The original king of cool.

[@hudsonhawk0016]

He was not directing traffic. Lol!

[@DiverseEquityChatGuy]

Dude could throw a football I'm telling ya.

[@JSchaffer214]

And an even better captain.

[@chrisbrown8354]

I cleaned his dressing room at Jones Beach in 1980. He was rehearsing on stage and his knees were bandaged. The 2 things I remember were the bottles of Brute everywhere. He was the spokesman. Also the cooler under the dressing table containing a bushel of oranges and a half empty bottle of vodka. Sorry Joe, I peeked.

[@yourthebest7942]

Need coaches like this in today’s game with all the drama these divas bring.

[@jonathanjollimore7156]

I woken up in the drunk tank a few times with pissed pants very dignified right!

[@williamsmith8790]

What integrity by Bryant. Can you imagine any of these coaches today suspending their star player for having “a” drink? You could sell coke out of the back of your booster club provided car and they’d find a way to keep you playing now.

[@nomiddlenamenmn427]

Nick Saban would let a chain gang play to win another Pyrrhic victory. Then watch how he treats them unless they’ve hit the big time. Bear was what was right about college football. Saban is what is wrong about it. Both are legendary coaches.

[@glen432003]

I read somewhere years ago he could sit in a chair on the one yard line and throw the football into the other end zone , 100 yards , true or not ? Don't know , but a cool ass story!

[@rjmoney9]

Not true

[@askledhead]

Like anyone else I would like to hear Joe tell stories of yesterday. To bad he couldn't get a gig with ESPN sharing stories of back in the day.

[@mikebradshaw6484]

He's too white for that network.

[@lisalove9655]

Those eyes 👀.... He makes you want to put a t-shirt on and go throw football with him 😉🥰

[@williamislander2885]

Broadway Joe!

[@billp5656]

I read he was wearing a straw hat directing traffic at an intersection near campus to amuse his teammates. Joe never told on his cohorts-he took all the punishment.

[@bigwillietheb]

Imagine Coach Bear Bryant as an NFL Coach , but what team

[@onlythewise1]

i didnt know a job can tell you how to act in life so much for freedom

[@thomasayer7511]

My hero.

[@crimsonjet94]

Where did Joe Namath get a southern accent? He is from Penn.

[@DarKKnightt07]

Good to see he gave a clean interview. I was expect to see a bottle of Jack Daniels in his hands.

[@madddog6790]

So was I hahaha...got nailed in 12th grade chugging a bottle of Ripple \m/

[@richardkelbie5362]

That coach played a huge role in him making it pro its clear

[@wildestcowboy2668]

He said he would win the super bowl and he did...

[@wallacegraham2606]

🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰

[@randyhodder3372]

Joe Willy for NFL Commissioner !!!

[@teller1290]

I'll drink to that! Suzy Kolber for League Secretary (if said position doesn't exist, make it happen).

[@user-ss7cd7xf1s]

Cool

[@xOGMETALHEAD206x]

0:45 Plllayerss

[@user-qm7uv5oh8z]

Well JOE the team is still struggling

[@kmslegal7808]

Namath's a mensch

[@Mike_Goldberg]

Imagine if today’s CFB had the integrity to actually disciplining star players instead of allowing greed to fester and ruined say star players because of a bowl game. You’ll be surprised how making people accountable can change their path in life.

[@patrickreilly2338]

Star

[@tonilebeck2769]

This is a true american hero.

[@rondaharris1193]

bamn ~!!!

[@erichaynes7502]

Joe Namath: "I'm NOT a drinker!" Early 2000's: Joe Namath embarrasses himself in front of millions trying to kiss MNF reporter while drunk.

[@GrouchyKraut]

Imagine Suspending a player for someone else's word instead of believing the player. Lost a little respect for Bryant on this one. Should back the player IMO

[@cpresley2279]

Paul bear Bryant jo marth