Namath, Joe (Joseph William Namath) (nā`məth), 1943–, American football player, b. Beaver Falls, Pa. Namath's brilliance as a quarterback at the Univ. of Alabama earned him a three-year no-cut contract for $387,000 from the New York Jets before he had played a single minute of professional football. Namath's high-priced deal sparked an all-out contest for new players between the National and American football leagues and ultimately produced a merger between the two. Although hampered by knee and shoulder injuries, Namath led the Jets to a victory in the 1969 Superbowl game and in 1967 passed for a total of 4,007 yards, a season record. He retired from football in 1977, spending his last season with the Los Angeles Rams. In 1985 he was inducted into the Professional Football Hall of Fame. Candid, outspoken, and controversial, he was nicknamed "Broadway Joe" for his fast and free lifestyle. He appeared in several motion pictures.

Bibliography

See biography by M. Kriegel (2004).

Namath, Joe

in full Joseph William Namath

(born May 31, 1943, Beaver Falls, Pa., U.S.) U.S. football quarterback. He developed his quarterback skills at the University of Alabama. An exceptional passer, in his third season with the New York Jets (1965–77) he threw for a record 4,007 yards. Though long hampered by knee injuries, by the time of his retirement he had set seasonal and career records for most games with 300 yards or more gained in passing. The nickname “Broadway Joe” reflected his fondness for New York nightlife.

Namath, (Joseph William) Joe (1943– ) football player; born in Beaver Falls, Pa. After starring at the University of Alabama, he signed with the New York Jets of the American Football League in 1965 for a then-record $400,000. Called "Broadway Joe" for his enjoyment of night life, in 1967 he became the first professional to pass for more than 4,000 yards, and he quarterbacked the Jets to victory in Super Bowl III the next year. After retiring from football (1977), he pursued a career in movies and broadcasting.