So much of the Giants’ temporary stay at the Yale Bowl was unmemorable. Yet the players have a hard time forgetting their 26-20 overtime loss to the rival Jets on Nov. 10, 1974, as one play encapsulated the frustration of those two dismal seasons.
“Watching Joe Namath bootleg around the defense like we weren’t there, that was one of the lowlights,” linebacker Pat Hughes said. “He just faked and came around the end. I couldn’t believe my eyes.”
Yes, gimpy-kneed Broadway Joe, who hadn’t scored a rushing touchdown in five years, faked a handoff to Emerson Boozer, rolled to his left and limped in untouched from the 3 to tie it at 20 with eight minutes left in the fourth quarter.