Joe Namath

Property of the University of Alabama - Paul W. Bryant Museum - Edited by David Mize - One of Bama's all time greats....Joe Willie Namath. All America and All SEC. Lettered from 1962 - 1964.

[@chiefinspectorclue-so7433]

Joe was highly underrated . He was one of the best Q.B.'s to play football.

[@garrison6863]

Its so hard to believe what a good runner he was before his knees gave out. And man those jump passes, and that quick release.

[@texasrockshillcountry6574]

The Orange Bowl vs. Texas... Namath had a dislocated knee, and as a result didn't start - wasn't expected to play. His team fell behind, and he stepped in - knee popped back in and in excruciating pain - he rallied his team to almost win. COURAGE... Had Namath started that game they would have won, and THAT Is coming from a Texas fan!

[@Shinobi33]

He ran option based offense to perfection. Then came to the NFL and became a passing wizard. That's why he's in the HOF

[@melbias5046]

there isn't a qb as smooth as joe willie. and the films prove it.to bad his knees hurt him but the arm and the dropback was second to none. but people are hung up on stats but the man was the epitome of a drop back qb and graceful as heck.

[@benashworth7653]

Rodgers comes close

[@davidtrueslayor7474]

As great as Namath was in the NFL we never got to see His best he left that at Alabama. See many people do not realize what a great runner He was and the jump passes and roll outs, that knee he injury stole a part of him we never got to experience.

[@AmericasChoice]

His release was phenomenal, and strength and accuracy in the throw. Great vision.

[@joeschmo5021]

The man had a tremendous vertical as evidence of his jump pass photo when he was with the Jets. Just an incredible all around athlete.

[@michaelbelfer1069]

Joe Schmo I remember him in college well. It's odd to look back and see Joe sprint out and throw, when he had knees. I used to wonder how much greater guys like Joe, Bobby Orr in hockey would have been with today's surgical technology.

[@dape8993]

I have had the pleasure of seeing a lot of great QB's. but no one had a quicker release than Joe Namath. Not even Marino. Unreal.

[@iloading_]

dape that explains his interceptions

[@davidtrueslayor7474]

Namath was great for many reasons not just talent but the persona the merger the path he blazed. Yet I think he sold himself short on how he took care of himself , the partying, the many injuries. It all came together in 1969 but that SBIII victory was his peak.

[@melvinhunt6976]

Namath was an average quarter back in the pros, WAY above average in college. Quickest release EVER, and threw the prettiest Ball EVER! Half the time to the wrong guy. But he was for a few years, JOE WILLIE NAMATH!

[@rogerwelsh2335]

He threw a great ball. I still love watching him throw. He started the modern day QB and his skills still match those playing today. Those damn knees!!!! Think about it, we never saw a healthy Namath. Just imagine that if you can

[@josephbennett728]

@@melvinhunt6976 Namath was the first QB to throw for over 4000 yards in a season that's a 12 game season he was better than average until his knees finally gave out

[@keithbiggs440]

Never forget you Joe, You were awesome.

[@osborl12]

Very pretty throwing motion.

[@MOST550]

+osborl12 As a kid growing up, Joe Namath throwing motion was the best I've ever seen... In the 80's Dan Marino tried to imitate it but it wasn't as pretty as Joe's...

[@tommyz5189]

Joe Namath was quick on his release. He saw openings no one else saw.

[@lloydkline1485]

love Broadway Joe ,hall of fame quarterball

[@kennethcaine3402]

He was fabulous at Alabama and went to the pros and won the super bowl with his style and made a great run that won the Super Bowl. Great Quarterback he played with a lot of HEART and told his team there would be champagne in the locker room after the win. He fuelled his Promise. He is a legend in my book.

[@Shinobi33]

Man he move and zip the ball into tight windows.

[@mr.breeze8796]

You know we love you in Bama Joe. Just 2 of the great 3 now that Snake has passed. Joe and Bart. Roll Tide my brotha!

[@gregorykendrick4245]

He threw rockets not passes pin point accuracy all so a real quarter back he called his own plays out there the man had the heart of a lion

[@amaiahuckins7549]

My Boss just told me about Joe today. He told me how he used to sit in the side lines with his fur coats. That he was soooo cool haha. I had to see who he was. My Boss said that Joe N, was the Tom Brady of his days. And then his knees went out, that was sad to hear.

[@williamtaylor5193]

There was no quarterback more gifted than Joe. Most of us, who picked up with him as a NY Jet, never got to see the whole package. He was a phenomenal athlete.

[@barbarajordan3145]

Joe was remarkable as he could play every position. He didn't care if he was dirty or for the weather or that someone said he could not do something. He was the best and still has an outstanding attitude that only the best athletes have.

[@urbanlegendsandtrivia2023]

Forget the statistics, as in those days coaches rarely let you pass inside the 20-yard line and ran in touchdowns instead, so he lost out on over 100 easy TD passes in his career.

[@robroberts1473]

Weird to see him running and jumping I only saw him years later after his knees were gone.

[@Primus54]

If you read Namath’s autobiography he published shortly after his Super Bowl victory, he writes that one of the secrets of his quick release was holding the ball near his waist instead of up by his helmet while preparing to throw. As he wrote, a QB has to drop the ball down as part of his windup, so he saved a tiny fraction of time.

[@miciboo9993]

Német means German, in Hungarian. In Hungary it’s a common family name. Joe Namath is a Hungarian descendent.

[@MrDizzyvonclutch]

Damn... Was the man ever hit!?!? That's what I searched!

[@stevenledbetter9997]

He had a rifle for an arm

[@mikemulrennan7948]

Quick release

[@marksowick5278]

The ultimate what could have been.

[@andrewr62]

Namath when he had a pair of knees that actually worked. Scary.

[@williamhermann6635]

Suzy Kolber loves this video.

[@ehoffman2260]

I will always love Suzy Kolber for not playing the victim after that interview. She could have made it tough on Joe. He apologized and she accepted it and they both moved on. Just as it should have been handled.

[@davidm4160]

Back when corners fell for the pump fake.

[@eugeneenegue3648]

If Joe played today, he'd throw for ten thousand yards.

[@chrisbrimhall1613]

Dan Marino release 20 years before Marino showed up

[@jakesalem395]

ROLL TIDE

[@robroberts1473]

Roll tide!

[@Tonyconner74]

Broadway Joe in the making.... That music sucked..

[@gahloot]

If Namath had the sports medicine we have now days. He would have been not only one of the greatest passers of all time. But one of the all time great running passers. Operations nowadays would have fixed him right up. He was lightning fast, and had a rocket launcher for an arm! Roll Tide

[@davidr5961]

The team Dr, James Nicholas, at the time, did a fantastic job with him, considering the fact that back in those days, they didn't have knee arthroscopic, and the medical tech they have today

[@chucklynch6523]

What nobody has yet to mention in this section was what a great leader Joe was. His teammates believed in him, elected him offensive captain in 1968 and he lead them to that great Super Bowl III upset of the Colts!!

[@garrison6863]

It is a shame to see those films of him before his knees gave out. The guy ran like Steve Young, except I think he was even quicker. And man, those jump passes!

[@seangreg1117]

Joe was like Arnie Palmer, he went for it, never played safe, didn't care about stats. Just winning !!! Played the 4th Qt of the Super Bowl a little cautious, not throwing one pass, but like he told Weeb, let's keep running it, they haven;t stopped it all day. Stats are over rared, I'll take charisma and go for it any day !!!

[@dennismoore1116]

Not just pretty and smooth, but when necessary such a quick release. He seemed already tackled sometimes and out comes this last millisecond pass with speed and accuracy. The quick release is what Marino had as well.

[@iloading_]

Dennis Moore that’s why he threw more picks then touchdowns haha idiot

[@williambagley5415]

As a kid I loved watching the old AFL and NFL on the grass and dirt fields...the Jets played at Shea Stadium, which they shared with the Mets...infield was always dirt...weather was always windy...Namath to Maynard and Sauer...awesome...and I've always been a Raider fan!

[@kevincole8385]

The greatest athlete to ever play quarterback

[@urbanlegendsandtrivia2023]

Unitas, Bradshaw, and plenty of other quarterbacks could star in today's NFL, as back then the footballs (especially the white-striped night footballs) were slippery (the grippier Ultra Pebble football was introduced in 1981), you had to maintain excellent passing form, and all the rules favored the defenses. It's difficult to compare different eras. Actually, a lot of today's quarterbacks would have really struggled in the 1970s when they wouldn't be so protected from hits and then got WWF body-slammed every game.

[@williamhermann6635]

Namath and Unitas would be unstoppable in today's NFL. Every modern quarterback should be thanking these guys for laying the groundwork.

[@urbanlegendsandtrivia2023]

@@williamhermann6635 I agree.

[@jonathanmendelson5097]

The very best athletes are ones that can win a championship while being injured. Few can do that. Mickey Mantle did it. Willis Reed did it. One remembers other brave ones like Jack Youngblood. But, Joe Namath best the NFL at its own game. He beat an entire zeitgeist of crew cutted men, faceless gray flannel suit men - an old order. His AFL JETS beat the NFL in the most important game in pro-football history - and Namath did it playing hurt. He is the greatest ever. And certainly was as talented if not more so than Brady, Montana, Unitas, Marino and Favre.

[@rogerwelsh2335]

The only QB before Montana who could step on a field with todays QBs Marino is the only QB that has quicker release. Few could could set up in their drop than Namath. His arm talent is still amongst the best. Name a QB pre 1980 that doesn’t look dated on film EXCEPT Namath. He literally looks like a 2020 QB. Think about that. This dude graduated college in 1964!!! And his talent matches or exceeds QBs playing today. He should be higher than 100 for sure but just being on that list is an honor

[@sv6617]

Bear Bryant was such a powerful figure, it gives me chills seeing his pictures.

[@jaykay6387]

Joe was an amazing talent, and as many of you mentioned here unfortunately we never got to see him at his best in the NFL because of his knee injuries. The one "oddity" about Joe was that he rarely threw a classic, "tight" spiral , although receivers will tell you that it's actually easier to catch a ball that is has a little "wobble". He did have a rocket, though, and one of the sweetest releases ever.

[@6L8a]

All kind of sports in USA is about fighting, making money to see people fighting eachother and then talking about to be a human. WoW

[@user-ei6ff1ti1n]

6L8a what dumbass

[@DexterHaven]

Garaceful like Stabler, and Jim Zorn.

[@ChefDuane]

In as much as a pure drop back passer, Namath's form and stance are perfect. And his arm was decptively strong.

[@jma8352]

the quickest powerful release of the ball ive ever seen, also a great runner before he got hurt.

[@MarkHoward660]

when Joe could run too

[@mynamedoesntmatter8652]

There was nothing better than going to Legion Field with my Dad, seeing the Bear take the field with the guys, seeing him getting carried off after hanging a W. It’s amazing Broadway Joe only played his senior year, but then most of those guys didn’t start til their senior year. Bear took Joe out for a season for breaking team rules. He’d attended a sorority party. Those were the breaks back then; now kids are playing as soon as they hit Title Town, if they’re good enough. Joe always kept roots here. But all the greats do, and Bama has so many of the greats. Roll Tide, and thanks, Joe, for wonderful memories.

[@aant429]

The jets goat

[@outtahere321]

Interesting how such great QBs such as Namath, Montana, Kelley, Unitas, and Marino all were from Pennsylvania.

[@flame-sky7148]

Forgot one: George Blanda. And that's Western Pennsylvania to boot.

[@kidmack1121]

@VinnyC1323 There's little to no room left in the QB showcase in Canton because the W.Pa. kids filled it.

[@gregorykendrick4245]

Must be something in the water

[@gregorykendrick4245]

You know I hate how everyone all ways talk's about his knees the man was a force to be reckoned with thayyy played football in his day real foot ball he was hell on the field to play against you couldn't practice and get ready for what he was going to do to your team he kept everyone wondering the whole game the quick release made him deadly with all the plays he had up his sleeve he had great team mate's ad well you had to know a lot of plays back then the defenses back then we're monster's you had to take him out of the game or you we're going to loose for Shure

[@williamhermann6635]

@@gregorykendrick4245 The reason people talk about his knees is cuz he never got to showcase his speed and agility in the NFL. Played his entire career with a torn acl since they didnt have surgeries to repair it back then. If he had played in the NFL with his knees in tact, he wouldve been the GOAT without question. Hell some still consider him the GOAT bad knees and all. Unbelievable talent. Born to play football.

[@generalbullmoose]

Namath was never an All-American. He is not in the College Football HOF, and is actually ineligible, for this reason.

[@arymniak1]

Before his knee injuries he was the best QB in the game. Speed, release, arm strength, accuracy, throwing on the move.

[@rebelgreen3209]

He has the quick delivery and accuracy that would make him a 1st round pick today.

[@archie7186]

the only qb to win a state championship -win a national title and a super bowl , only one joe #12

[@Joaquin-227]

Tremendous passer threw amazing spirals.

[@frederickkimble2661]

Great Player . Great Chief Coach .

[@fbistatmajor5918]

It's like Joe Burrow before Joe burrow

[@thecurtist.harpershow5515]

Only if he remembered to tape his legs that one game

[@Spider_7_7]

Broadway Joe!

[@markstrickland8736]

Broadway Joe.

[@frederickkimble2661]

Great .

[@bamagirl218]

Finally some wonderful comments on my number one man Joe Namath! He was the best QB and is now the finest man ever

[@ZipSlipHollingbrook]

Namath was like the, 'Jazz,' QB. Forgive the poetry.

[@samsoncournane33]

yup mel

[@emoney9295]

One of the worst qbs to ever win a sb.

[@alightthatnevergoesout]

Does it hurt being so ignorant?

[@RetroRider6689]

EMONEY Namath played 3 years past his expiration date. In his first 10 seasons he was an AFL/NFL All-Star or a major award winner seven times (Namath missed most of the 1970, 1971 and 1973 season's due to injury). He finished as the American Football League's 2nd highest rated passer and was the league MVP twice. His knees were so bad coming out of college that he was told he would only be able to play 4 years. If you are one of these ESPN generation thinkers who proclaim quarterback efficiency ratings as the primary means to measure greatness then you really don't have a clue.

[@alightthatnevergoesout]

Clint Taylor Speak on it, bro.

[@iloading_]

Clint Taylor Namath was trash

[@RetroRider6689]

iloading_1024 You really don't have a clue.