On the field and off, Joe Namath made a splash everywhere he went. Here are 12 of No. 12’s most memorable moments:
1. Broadway
The classic Sports Illustrated photo shoot of a smiling Namath, the AFL’s prize, the big apple of Jets owner Sonny Werblin’s eyes, is how it all started. A $427,000 star was born.
“When Joe Namath walks into a room,” Werblin said, “you know he’s there. When any other high-priced rookie walks in, he’s just a nice-looking young man.”
For Werblin, a former Hollywood executive, there was no business like Joe business.