Namath was the subject of an AFL-NFL bidding war and was drafted by both leagues in November 1964. True to his larger-than-life form, Namath made some high-roller requests from his NFL employers, the St. Louis Cardinals (who chose him 12th overall). When the Cardinals made a request of their own (asking him to sign immediately, which would render Namath ineligible for the upcoming Orange Bowl against Texas), Namath turned them down and joined the Jets. He’d take his advantage against the NFL in the best way possible, the legendary Super Bowl III triumph that changed the course of professional football.
Barring any shocking trades, the New York Jets will have multiple first-round picks for the ninth time in franchise history.
