What probably qualifies Joe as big-time, most of all, was his "guarantee" of victory over the Baltimore Colts in Super Bowl III. Sort of like Babe Ruth pointing to the outfield and hitting a homerun, Joe's boastful promise was realized and fulfilled the dream of young fans like me (starting off the best year of my young life at the time, for the Mets would win the World Series that October). Joe's skills were there for sure, but more important than anything was his inherent guts and ability to play through pain to get one for the team. People always admired that about Joe and no doubt still do.
Is Joe Namath the best quarterback ever? He doesn't think so. He believes it's a young man who just might go out and win it all for a very different Colts team. Still, in my humble opinion, Joe rises to the top because he played with a rough and tumble mentality. Though not a native New Yorker (he hailed from western Pennsylvania), Joe was truly all Broadway and probably became the game's first modern superstar (due to the easy access to media coverage of his exploits here in New York).
So, here's my vote to Joe Willie Namath as the best-damned quarterback who ever (and probably no QB will ever again) played home games for the real New York football team based in Queens. Thanks for the antics, the bravado, and the victory that made 1969 a year that New Yorkers and all sports fans will always remember as the time of miracles, the year when the mighty Colts and Orioles of Baltimore would learn a lesson from the upstart teams from Queens, New York.
Article comments
1 - Victor Lana
Something I would like to add is that I think this Jets victory was important in another way: it justified the old AFL and made it clear there was no turning back after that (the merger with the NFL coming the following year).
2 - alessandro nicolo
You made your case well but it would indeed be hard to have him as the best ever. Shoot, even top five or ten would be hard.
3 - Victor Lana
That's why I sort of qualify it by saying best quarterback to ever play in Queens, New York. By the way, Joe proved right about Manning (at least judging from last night's game).
4 - John
For all his talent, Namath only ranks 13th on rankopedia.com for "Best Quarterback ever". Marino, Montana and Favre are way way ahead.
5 - Victor Lana
John, my "ranking" of Joe has way more to do with emotional ties to the team and the moment. Namath was "cool" and he was just a lot of fun to watch too. As a kid, that was all that mattered to me.
Actually, I am kind of surprised (happily so) that he would make it into the top 20. Thanks!
6 - alessandro nicolo
Victor, yes read that and subsequently (not to mention conveniently) overlooked that. sorry. guess i was looking for a debate ;<)
7 - Victor Lana
I'm always up for a good debate, Alessandro, but there's nothing to question here. Joe was extremely fortunate to have played in New York that 1968 season and to be in Super Bowl III.
I think that's why he is being so humble now, recognizing that reality and also the superior skills of someone like Manning.
8 - MCH
Come on...everyone knows the best quarterback ever was Terry Bradshaw!
9 - Victor Lana
I guess the best approach is to go by numbers, though that's never the same as seeing a guy play. Some really great ones come to mind making this one a tough call. Another measure of success is the big game itself, which some great QBs never made it to.
10 - alessandro nicolo
Namath was a personality with ability that was perfect for New York during that time. I wish I saw him play. Still love how the Simpsons depicted him and Johnny Unitas. You know what? Bradshaw is a tad under rated. Victor, that is indeed a measure people use. I personally think we way overdo it. It's a team game.
11 - Donnie Marler
Joe Montana is the greatest QB in NFL history, in my humble opinion, bar none.
12 - Ruvy in Jerusalem
Having grown up in Brooklyn (I'm still pissed off about the Bums leaving for LaLa land), I was happy to see the Mets grow into a decent team at Shea, and was always happy to see Joe Namath fight his way through the opposing line on those awful knees of his.
We were innocents, Victor, but the times were not innocent at all. They were bitter and guys like Namath took our minds off the travesty and waste of blood we all saw on Channel 2 and Channel 4 every night.
As much as I would wish for Namath to be "the greatest," I watched Brent Favre play for the Cheeseheads, and remember Joe Montana. He made 13th and made us in New York all proud.
Hey, send the old guy an aspirin or two for his troubles for me, Victor... It's cheaper from in the States...
13 - Victor Lana
It's true, Ruvy, for I know Dodger fans who are still fuming. They adopted the Mets but the anger at the Bums leaving is almost equal to how much hate they have for the Yankees.
That said, I think personality does have lots to do with things. Guys like Tom Seaver or Joe Montana or Broadway Joe were well liked and came across in a way that endeared them to fans. A boxer like George Foreman, a golfer like Tiger Woods, a b-ball player like Michael Jordan all transcend the sport they play with that. Talent is a big part of it but not all.
So, in his time, Joe "Willie" Namath rode the crest of the wave. Some of us were lucky to get wet.
14 - tester29
The man had his knees wrecked at a time when "surgery" to correct knee injuries was medival.
The guy had a cannon arm, great vision and touch, and before he was injured he was a 4.5 sprinter. In Broadway Joe's prime, Montana couldn't hold his jock.
It all comes down to the breaks.
15 - RP
Best ever? To me he was. Name a QB who's career (on and off the field) you'd rather see all over again? Joe wasn't just a QB, he was an historical media event. He paved the way for the Michael Jordans, and showed 'em how it was done. If he'd have had good knees and a decent team (like the 1968 Jet's) he could have had a stellar career. Did you know he could dunk backwards in high school before the knees went bad? And could that boy ever sling a football and tilt a scotch! You think Peyton Manning could have stole a chick from Mick Jagger in his prime like Joe did one night in a NY bar? When pigs fly, maybe.
16 - crawhammer
Joe Namath even being mentioned as possibly one of the best quarterbacks ever easily makes him perhaps the most overrated quarterback ever. I mean you've got to be realistic here, his career quarterback rating is an abysmal 65.5, which is worse than even the likes of Kyle Boller, Quincy Carter, Ty Detmer, Rex Grossman, Kordell Stewart, and Marc Wilson. He threw 47 more INTs than TDs in his career. He lead the league in INTs 4 times. He only threw over 20 TDs in a season once (26) and that season he lead the league in INTs with 28. His career Cmp% is barely over 50%.
People make such a big deal about his guarantee in the '68 Super Bowl, but his performance in that game was nothing special (17-28, 206 Yds, 0 TDs), and he embarrassed himself the following year in a playoff game against KC (14-40, 35 Cmp%, 164 Yds, 0 TDs, 3 INTs, and 17.1 QBR). He never made it back the postseason.
Stiff.
17 - john
I think you have to look at Joe in the context of his time. He had a flare for the dramatic; the Hiedi game - the Jets against Oakland - being one example. In one game against the Colts Unitus threw for 490 yards and Namath with no backfield to speak of, threw for more than 500 yards. It is reported that after the game that Johnny told Joe that it was the best game Johnny had every played.