Joe Namath

Joseph William Namath (born May 31, 1943) was an American football quarterback for the New York Jets in the 1960s best known for guaranteeing victory in Super Bowl III over Johnny Unitas' Baltimore Colts.

Namath was born in Beaver Falls, Pennsylvania and was a star player in football, as well as basketball and baseball, while in high school. When he graduated he received offers from six major-league baseball teams, but decided instead to avail himself of one of the many offers from college football programs, and attended the University of Alabama, playing under coach Bear Bryant from 1962-65. During this period the Crimson Tide rose to become a national force in college football.

Despite having suffered a serious knee injury in his senior year, Namath was the number-one draft pick the year he graduated from Alabama, and signed a contract with the AFL's New York Jets the day after starring in the Orange Bowl. (Soon afterward, the AFL merged with the NFL and became the AFC.)

Namath remained a star player while in professional ball, and the fortunes of the Jets enjoyed similar improvement to those of Alabama while Namath was playing for them. In 1969's Superbowl III, Namath completed 17 of 28 passes, leading the Jets to a 16-7 victory in an upset over the Colts. It is rumored that Joe Namath "guaranteed a victory" prior to the game. Although this practice is commonplace now, Joe Namath is credited with having been the first to make such a boast.

He appeared on an episode of the Brady Bunch in 1973 in which Bobby lies to his friends about knowing Namath, and Cindy tries to help him by mailing Joe a letter claiming Bobby is dying. He was featured in an ad for women's pantyhose in 1974, which is mostly remembered because Joe was wearing the pantyhose when he says, "Now I don't wear panty hose, but if Beautymist can make my legs looks good, imagine what they'll do for yours". His nickname was "Broadway Joe"; he is sometimes called "Joe Willie Namath". He originated the fad of wearing a full-length fur coat on the sidelines, a habit which was adopted by many players after him. He still appears in ads.