Joe Namath Relives His Super Bowl Guarantee

Hall of Fame quarterback Joe Namath, 75. at the New York Jets Super Bowl III 50th anniversary dinner. Associated Press Facebook Twitter LinkedIn

It’s 50 years since Super Bowl III, the game that made you a legend. How’d you deal with the tension before the game?

We had fun in the locker room before the game. Coach [Weeb] Ewbank didn’t know whether to have the defense or offense introduced first. Having played in a couple of bowl games, I said,

“Coach, introduce the seniors first.” Everyone laughed. 

You famously guaranteed to win that game. Did that upset your teammates?

For 10 days, we’re being told by oddsmakers and the media that we did not have a chance. The Colts were a good team, but we knew what we could do. I was angry when I said that. It was in

response to a wise guy in the back of the room [at a large banquet]. He said, “We’re gonna kick your ass.” I said, “Wait a minute, big boy, we’re gonna win the game — I guarantee it.” Yeah,

my teammates were upset but in a humorous way. They knew me. 

And you won, 16-7. Why did that game touch so many people?

There are more underdogs in the world than there are favorites. Our win was enjoyed by so many people because they are underdogs like we were. We’re all underdogs from time to time. 

Quarterback Joe Namath led the New York Jets to victory in Super Bowl III on January 13, 1969. Tony Tomsic/Associated Press

You were a ’60s trendsetter — sports, fashion, nightlife. Do you ever think you were recognized more for style than substance? 

It is all a matter of style. I wore white shoelaces in high school when my teammates wore black. I taped my  shoes   white  in college. In the ’60s, the turmoil, Woodstock, peace  and  love,

the flower children, the attire, I was part of it. I was getting recognized for it because I was in New York. But you have to catch somebody’s eye with substance, not just because you are

stylin’. 

Your TV pantyhose ad in the early 1970s broke new ground for a male sex symbol.

I got a chuckle out of it. I thought, “This is cool.” Our secretary said, “I don’t think my Dad would like seeing that — it’s not masculine for a football player.” So we thought about it

awhile. We knew there would be a segment of society that wouldn’t understand  it,  or would find it offensive. Then I said, “Wait a minute, this is terrific. I need to go for it.’’