Archived Q&A with Joe Namath

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  HBO

  A huge thank you to Joe Namath for joining us today. Joe, who you are you rooting for and who are you picking this Superbowl Sunday?

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  Joe Namath says:

  It may sound like I'm punking out, but I'm rooting for the Giants and I'm picking New England to win.

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  theKlemster

  what do you think about the future for mark sanchez?

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  Joe Namath says:

  Sanchez's future is very bright as a pro-quarterback. Like all quarterbacks he needs help from his teammates.

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  Mike_Beavers

  During your playing career, what defensive player impressed you the most.

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  Joe Namath says:

  Picking just one is near impossible. Linebacker Ted Hendricks, Cornerback Willie Brown, Jake Scott, Strong Safety Ken Houston, there are many more but these guys are in the hall of fame. These guys names I remember, mean Joe Green I mean come on!

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  Jed Taylor

  How much do you remember about Peekskill, New York.. The summer home of the Jets.

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  Joe Namath says:

  I can see Peekskill Military Academy and our players in camp right now like it was yesterday.

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  beckyayay

  When you were a kid, who was your football idol?

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  Joe Namath says:

  When I was a young kid, it was Otto Graham, when I was a high school kid it was Johnny Unitas and Bart Starr. They just happen to be quarterbacks.

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  blamberr

  Would you consider taking me out on a date? No pressure...

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  Joe Namath says:

  LOL, hard to do not knowing you!

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  Paul Adamo

  Joe, Great to be here with you. What was the secret of your benchmark overhand release and quick drop?

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  Joe Namath says:

  Good gift of quick feet and speed and the throwing technique my brothers Bob and Frank taught me.

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  gluckstadt

  It was striking to see the footage of you running at Alabama. Do you see any of your younger self in Tim Tebow (though obviously you could throw the ball too)?

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  Joe Namath says:

  I am a Tim Tebow fan since his days began at the University of Florida. I have my spirituality but we're different people and I think Tim has taken that to another level. I'm close to God on a regular basis day in and day out, that's the closest comparison that I can make with me and Tim. I believe we're both thankful for what we have and where we are.

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  blamberr

  I watched your documentary on HBO last weekend and absolutely loved it. I've always maintained that you have always been the coolest guy in any room—do you think anyone in the NFL has/will ever come close to matching your rockstar persona?

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  Joe Namath says:

  I certainly hope so. I know we'll all get a big kick out of it and enjoy the trip.

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  geeforce7

  Joe, You have 2 legacies: pro football and daughters! What advice can you give me to be a better Dad to my 3 daughters like you?

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  Joe Namath says:

  Patience, honestly, unconditional love. Constantly trying to be on their level as well to communicate with them. Keep in mind where they are in their lives at the moment and where they're coming from.

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  ValentinaMonte

  What’s your favorite nickname “Joe Willie” or “Broadway Joe?”

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  Joe Namath says:

  Broadway Joe only because I can see the guy's face that laid the handle on me, Sherman Plunkett. 6'6 300+ pounds, offensive plus tackle. Sherman was a veteran when I joined the team and he may have been the senior on the team. It came from him and he had a smile on his face, I liked the electricity of the nickname!

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  Buzzman6710

  Did you ever have a chance to talk to Johnny Unitas about how you felt when you saw him across from you before the coin toss at Super Bowl III, and about how he inspired you growing up (Wearing #19 and calling yourself 'Joey U') in honor of him?

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  Joe Namath says:

  I was excited the first time I met Johnny Unitas and enjoyed our visits every time after. I always look up to Johnny as a player as well as the way he carried himself.

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  Vedderspeaks

  joe where do you think the jets go in the draft with their first pick

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  Joe Namath says:

  Without getting too technical, an offensive line position.

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  geeforce7

  Joe, when Coach Parcells came to the JETS, what advice did you give him and would it be the same today for Ryan?

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  Joe Namath says:

  Coach Parcells didn't ask me for advice nor do I think he needed any advice from me. Ditto for Rex Ryan. I could have been wrong about the latter.

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  dannyhight

  Who was the best wide reciever you ever seen play?

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  Joe Namath says:

  Wow. Lance Alworth was spectacular. Some of the receivers today are monsters. I see more gifted receivers today than what we had many years back. Larry Fitzgerald in Arizona, Andre Johnson down in Houston, that's just to name a few.

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  Robin Roberts

  Hi Joe! I am a big fan of yours! I even have several pictures of you posted throughout my home. I think you are fantastic. If offered, would you ever consider being a head coach for a pro football team?

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  Joe Namath says:

  That won't happen. I never had the passion that it takes to become a football coach because of the necessary time commitment.

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  Linda Robinson

  Hi Joe My Son and I think your the best of the best. how long do you think it will be before the jets get into another superbowl

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  Joe Namath says:

  I would love to say next season but I have my doubts.

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  Marc C Breuninger

  I always played middle linbacker as a kid but when i played QB i was Joe Willie Namath. let me go barbara walters on you. If you were an animal which animal would you be?

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  Joe Namath says:

  I got it, it doesn't take me long to think about that. Secretariat!

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  Regina Guzzo-Ward

  Do you believe a quarterback has to win a superbowl in order to be in the Football Hall of Fame?

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  Joe Namath says:

  No I don't. Just like Mr. Baseball Ernie Banks, he never won a baseball championship. Does that make him less great?

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  hamilton_james

  Joe, with all the rule changes opening up the game, in your "humble" :) opinion, if you were qb for a top team today, don't you think your number of Super Bowl visits and stats would be amazing?

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  Joe Namath says:

  No doubt the game has changed and the numbers are a classic example of the change.

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  efield57

  You are obviously still a football fan, but what other hobbies and interests have you developed over the years?

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  Joe Namath says:

  #1 taking care of my instrument: my brain and my body. That I consider an important hobby!

• Q

  

  Jeffrey Sonenshein

  Are there any teammates you stay in contact with?

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  Joe Namath says:

  Yes there are! Guys like Emerson Boozer, Don Maynard, Rich Caster, Bill Mathis, Gary Feldman and many more.

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  hamilton_james

  The QB has the most mentally challenging job on the field. Do you feel that the bachelor life versus having a structured wife and family situation adds to that challenge?

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  Joe Namath says:

  One of the best things about my playing career is that I didn't have a priority that was more important than my job. I consider the family as being the priority. When I went to practice I was focused, I wasn't carrying those feelings as a married man and father with me to practice so there were less distractions to me in that sense. I considered myself fortunate that my priority was football and I certainly admire the family guys that can do both.

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  McGarrett21

  After all these years, what do you miss most about Beaver Falls

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  Joe Namath says:

  Family and friends, the weather is nothing to brag about.

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  Patricia Ciccone Montalto

  How are your knees Joe? Amazing how you played with all of the pain...

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  Joe Namath says:

  Had my knees replaced April of 1992 and I am thrilled with how they've treated me over these years.

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  CHARGERSGlRL

  what are your memories of the great jack kemp?

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  Joe Namath says:

  Number 1, a very nice man. He gave me advice regarding quarterback play in the old AFL days. We're pals for a long time.

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  geeforce7

  Joe, we see Head Coaches come and go in the NFL today. What do you attribute to Weeb's success in both leagues before the merger? Can it be replicated in other coaches today?

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  Joe Namath says:

  Coach Eubank's success came from his passionate approach to football as well as having good players.

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  Lionel Sevigny

  What was your favorite commercial?

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  Joe Namath says:

  My Noxema shave cream commercial with Farrah Fawcett. I don't think the pantyhose commercial made the Superbowl but that one had a big impact as well.

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  hamilton_james

  Has there been a quarterback who reminds you of yourself as far as the way he plays the game, physical and mental skills?

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  Joe Namath says:

  I really don't know the answer to that. Passing technique I'd like to think Dan Marino and I shared similar throwing motions.

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  Patricia Ciccone Montalto

  Do you still like blueberry/vanilla ice cream and skoll tobacco?

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  Joe Namath says:

  Oh my goodness! I've stopped with the tobacco many years ago and the ice cream, I'm down to about a handful of times a year. I had to stop ice cream because I was averaging at least a pint or two a night! Ice Cream was tough to give up.

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  Randall D Dunn

  You looked fit on the HBO special. What do you do to stay in shape?

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  Joe Namath says:

  I get a humble workout in 4 days a week and I eat decent food.

• Q

  

  Bryan Ayres

  What is your favorite memory from your time in NY?

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  Joe Namath says:

  I've had so many great times in NY. I can't pick just one favorite memory, it's not fair. After winning Superbowl 3, the reception we received from our fans in the city was a great memory. Another great one is that my daughter Jessica was born in Manhattan.

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  Bryan Ayres

  A lot of people say "If you can visualize it, you can make it happen" Did you believe that when you predicted the win, or were you just ready to play? lol

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  Joe Namath says:

  Long before Superbowl 3 I visualized things happening ahead of time with basketball, baseball and football. They didn't always work but it was part of preparation. Visualization is a part of the athletes preparation.

• Q

  

  HBO

  That’s it for our Live Chat with Joe Namath. A big thank you to Joe for joining us today. Is there anything you’d like to say before we sign off?

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  Joe Namath says:

  I appreciate your interest in my life. I look forward to continuing to visit with my fans via Broadwayjoe.tv and Twitter (@RealJoeNamath). Life's a two way street and I get a kick out of hearing from my fans and I'm glad they get a kick out of hearing from me.