Joe Namath

Joseph William Namath was born May 31, 1943 in the suburbs of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. He was an American football quarterback for the American Football League's New York Jets in the 1960s. He is best known for predicting his team's unlikely victory in the third AFL-NFL World Championship Game, over Don Shula's NFL Baltimore Colts.

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Namath's nickname was "Broadway Joe"; he is sometimes called "Joe Willie Namath", a characterization popularized by Howard Cosell. 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 also appeared in television advertisements both during and after his playing career, most notably for shaving cream (in which he was shaved by Farrah Fawcett) and pantyhose; they contributed to his becoming something of a pop-culture icon. He has appeared in advertising as recently as 2003.

Related Topics:
Howard Cosell - Advertisements - Farrah Fawcett - Pantyhose - 2003

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In December 2003 he gained new notoriety, apparently after partaking of too much celebratory champagne at the Jets' announcement of their all-time team. During live ESPN coverage, he twice stated he wanted to kiss Suzy Kolber, the female interviewer, appearing to all unbiased observers to be under the influence of alcohol. He has since apologized. Later, he publicly admitted to an alcohol problem, and soon entered into an outpatient alcoholism treatment program.

Related Topics:
December 2003 - Champagne - ESPN - Suzy Kolber - Alcohol - Alcoholism

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Namath also opened several bars using his nickname Broadway Joe's as bar's

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name in both New York City and in Tuscaloosa, Alabma (location of University

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of Alabama). These continue today with moderate success.

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Namath spent many years appearing as a booster for golf touraments and other

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good causes , for years for youth camps including football camps and lately for arthritis.

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