Joe Namath
Questions about Joe Namath or the Jets?
Joe Namath Legacy
HEYTC AIJoe Namath Rating Breakdown
Joe Namath Career Stats via Wikipedia
Joe Namath Career Timeline
HEYTC AI1985 1
Inducted into Pro Football Hall of Fame
Namath was enshrined in the Pro Football Hall of Fame, immortalizing his Super Bowl guarantee, style, and impact on the merger-era NFL.
1977 2
Announces Retirement
Namath retired from football at age 34 after his one-year stint with the Rams, closing the book on a Hall of Fame career hampered by major knee surgeries.
Traded to Los Angeles Rams
After 12 seasons with the Jets marred by knee injuries, Namath was traded to the Rams for a late-season stint, where he went 7-7 as a starter in his final NFL action.
1969 2
Jets AFL Champions
Prior to the Super Bowl, Namath guided the Jets through the AFL playoffs, defeating the Oakland Raiders in the AFL Championship Game to reach Super Bowl III.
Super Bowl III MVP - 'I Guarantee It'
Namath famously guaranteed victory and delivered, leading the Jets to a 16-7 upset over the Baltimore Colts in Super Bowl III, completing 17-of-28 for 206 yards to earn MVP honors and legitimize the AFL.
1968 1
AFL Player of the Year & All-Pro
Namath was named AFL Player of the Year and First-Team All-Pro, passing for 3,147 yards and 27 touchdowns while battling chronic knee injuries that would plague his career.
1967 1
First Pro Bowl Selection
Namath made his first of five career Pro Bowl appearances after a stellar season, leading the Jets to playoff contention and showcasing his gunslinger style.
1966 1
Named AFL Rookie of the Year
In his first full season, Namath earned AFL Rookie of the Year honors, throwing for over 3,300 yards and establishing himself as Broadway Joe with his charisma and arm talent.
1965 2
Signs Record $427K Contract
Namath inked a groundbreaking three-year, $427,000 contract with the Jets, the richest deal in pro football history at the time, outbidding NFL teams and solidifying his commitment to the AFL.
Drafted by New York Jets
Joe Namath was selected by the New York Jets in the 1965 AFL Draft out of Alabama, marking the start of his legendary career with the franchise under coach Weeb Ewbank.
Frequently Asked Questions About Joe Namath
How does Brady Cook compare to Joe Namath?
Brady Cook's out there grinding as the Jets' current starter, piecing together a career while Joe's legacy is etched in granite—Super Bowl III guarantee and all, with 27,663 yards and 173 TDs nobody can touch. Cook's building brick by brick; Namath built a monument, Jets' lone ring still gleaming 57 years on.
How does Joe Namath compare to Brady Cook?
Joe Namath isn't in the Pro Football Hall of Fame—no bronze bust in Canton despite that Broadway Joe swagger and the Jets' miracle '69 run. Voters snubbed him, maybe eyeing his 50.1 passer rating or off-field flair, but his AFL upset over the Colts echoes louder than any plaque.
What is Joe Namath doing now in 2026?
In 2026, Namath's kicking it in Tequesta, Florida, co-owning the Lucky Shuck oyster spot with inlet views, doting on grandkids next door, and pushing Medicare Coverage Helpline gigs. He's still a Jets ambassador, keynoting on football and business, plus his camp's humming in its 45th year—classic Joe, never fully retired.
How would Joe Namath perform in today's NFL?
Namath would feast in today's pass-happy NFL—think 14-yard completion penalties and no bump-and-run thuggery. His quick release and gunslinger arm, honed in the AFL's wide-open era, translate to 4,000-yard seasons easy; modern protections would've padded his 27,663 yards into Brady territory.
How does Joe Namath compare to Chad Pennington?
Namath edges Chad Pennington as Jets QBs—40.81 passer rating to Chad's 32.41, plus Broadway Joe's got the Super Bowl hardware Pennington chased but never nabbed. Both pocket wizards with injury woes, but Namath's flair and that guarantee game sit higher on HeyTC's All-Time list at #24.