Joe Namath

A long time ago, before me or any of my friends, there was a man who played in the NFL. A man who won almost all his games. My hero and a legend of football for people all around. His name... is Joe Namath. He is my hero because he is strong, brave, motivated and a nice person and that is what makes a good hero.

Joe Namath was born in Beaver Falls, PA on May 31, 1943. As a teenager in the local high school, Joe lead his high school football team, in 1960, to an undefeated season. In the same year he accepts a schollarship, to play at the University of Alabama, by Bear Bryant, the coach of the University's football team. As a Sophmore in college, joe lead the University of Alabama, in the Orangebowl of 1962, to a seventeen shutout victory. In 1964 Alabama lost the OrangeBowl, against the University of Texas, due to a knee injury on Joe Namath.

In 1965 Joe was drafted by the New York Jets in the first round, and signed a three-year contract worth $427,000. Joe was also named rookie of the year for the AFL, and most valuable player in the AFL allstar game. Soon after signing the tree year contract Joe had to enter Lenox Hill hospital for an operation on his right knee. His first game in the proffesionals, he was only able to start in the second quarter.Finally on September 26, 1967 he started his first game. In 1966 Joe Namath, once again, was named rookie of the year.

As of 1967, Joe led the whole AFL in yards, passing attempts, completions, and average gain per pass attempt. In 1968 he gives a championship victory to the Jets, and was announced player of the year. In 1969 Joe Namath quotes, as they get closer to the Super Bowl, that he "guarantees victory for the Jets in the Super Bowl". In 1969 he was also awarded many awards such as, AFL M.V.P., the George Halas award, the Hicock Belt and was Player of the Year. Because of difficulties between the NFL and his Manhattan Bar that he owned, he ended up retiring in the mid 1970's. In the same year, Joe returns to the NFL and begins a season with the Baltimore Colts. Unfortunately, Joe fractures his wrist in the beginning of the season, and had to be out for the rest of it. Later on he enters show business aside from his NFL career and appears in many films. In 1972 Joe was immediately chosen into the Pro Bowl. Joe had a chance to be in the WFL (World Football League) by signing a multimillion-dollar contract, but turned down the offer. Instead he signed another two-year contract with the New York Jets.

In 1977 the Los Angeles Rams drafted Joe in the free agent round. He stayed on the team for only one year, and then chose to retire. After that he started a short broadcasting career instead of going into more show business. Later on, in 1983 Joe Namath was finally inducted into the Hall of Fame. Joe Namath is still living today, but is not playing football nor in show business, but always, no matter if he is dead or alive, Joe Namath will always be my hero, and a legend in football.