Quick Facts of
- First NameJoe Namath
Joe Namath, a former NFL quarterback is the Super Bowl III MVP, who played for the NFL teams: New York Jets and Los Angeles Rams, until his retirement in 1977. With 13 NFL seasons, Namath gained wide fame along with showers of fortune and was considered the highest-paid pro football player in 1965.
Apart from his football career, the retired footballer has got handy success through acting as well; has appeared in TV series like The Love Boat, Married… with Children, The Simpsons, The Brady Bunch; and in the movies Underdogs (2013) and The Wedding Ringer (2015).
How Much Is Joe Namath’s Net Worth In 2020?
Without a doubt, Namath’s NFL career of 13 years garnering him the titles like Super Bowl III Champion, 1972 Pro Bowl, and 4-time AFL All-Star, got his lucrative contracts.
According to Celebrity Net Worth, 76-year-old Joe Namath has a net worth of $18 million as of December 2019, all thanks to his massive NFL salaries, endorsements & acting venture.
In his post-NFL career, he served as a color commentator for Monday Night Football in the 1985 season.
In his entire NFL playing career, the now-retired NFL star played for the 2 teams: New York Jets (1965- 1976) and Los Angeles Rams (1977). With a salary of $427,000 per season for 3 years from the Jets, Namath made a then-pro football record in 1965.
Moreover, in 1975, he signed a 2-year contract worth $900,000 with the Jets.
Moreover, the former quarterback famous as Broadway Joe racked in a huge sum of money through endorsement deals with Ovaltine, Hanes, and Noxzema.
Jets Over Cardinals To Start Pro NFL Career: Contract & Salary
Already with a 29-4 record in college football while playing for the University of Alabama (played from 1962- 1964), Joe was selected the 12th overall pick in the NFL Draft by St. Louis Cardinals (now Arizona Cardinals) while the New York Jets picked him as first overall pick of the AFL Draft.
Reportedly, the Cardinals offered to approve the salary request of $200,000 and a new Lincoln Continental to Namath, only if he singed before the Orange Bowl.
However, the Beaver Falls, Pennsylvania- born player rather went with the Jets & singed for a salary of $427,000 on a 3-year contract under the direction of owner Sonny Werblin, the day after Orange Bowl (the championship was on January 1, 1965).
Achievement With New York Jets: Won ‘Super Bowl III’
In his rookie season, Joe Namath split time with second-year quarterback Mike Taliaferro and was win-less for the first 6 games. Later, after Joe switched to full-time, the team won 5 of the remaining 8 games on the 14-game season in the 1965 season.
Moreover, he also became the 1965 AFL Rookie of the year. In 1967, Joe became the first-ever quarterback to pass 4,007 yards in a season along with the title of AFL All-Star (1965, 1967, 1968, and 1969) in their post-knee operations career.
Namath’s major achievement with the team (Jets) came after they won the Super Bowl III on January 12, 1969, eventually, earning him the title of Super Bowl MVP and Super Bowl Champion.
Despite struggling seasons after 1969, recording 4-10, 6-8, 7-7, and 4-10 in 4 seasons respectively, Joe Namath made a notable record of 872 passing yards in Baltimore in 1972, along with his boyhood idol Johnny Unitas.
Post-Jets Career: Retired With The Rams
After the 1976 season, having played 12 seasons, the Jets waived Namath to facilitate a move to the Los Angeles Rams, followed by the quarterback’s deal with the Rams on May 12, 1977.
However, Joe, already several knee injuries and hamstring injury, couldn’t perform better and made only 4 interceptions with the Rams and was benched for the entire season.
After the 1977 season ended, Joe retired from the NFL playing career.
Career Statistics
Joe was elected to Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1985 and had his jersey New York Jets No. 12 retired. During his playing career, the former Jets player became 2-time AFL Most Valuable Player, 2-time AFL passing yards leader, and 1968 AFL Champion.
Here are the career stats of Joe Namath:
- Pass attempts: 3,762
- Pass completions: 1,886
- Percentage: 50.1
- Touchdown-Interceptions: 173–220
- Passing yards: 27,663
Ownership Of Real Estates & Business
Currently, Joe lives in his house in Tequesta, Florida that sits on 1.5 acres featuring 4 bedrooms and 3 bathrooms along with an open kitchen, boat dock, and a swimming pool. The worth of his current residence is allegedly is millions of dollars.
In late August 2019, Namath put his Upper West Side apartment in New York City for sale, asking $1.195 million (approximately $2 million). He bought the 2-bedroom apartment in 2016 for $1.01 million.
The details on the sales of the property are yet to be out as of December 2019.
Surely, the millionaire former NFL star owns a collection of luxurious cars, though, is yet to open up about the details on his rides.
During the Super Bowl III, he guaranteed the victory of the Jets over the Colts, and the right prediction earned him keys to B5 blue 1969 Dodge Charger R/T. Later, Joe sold the car to an undisclosed buyer.
As for a fact, he formerly owned an Upper East Side nightclub called Bachelors III, which he opened after the 1969 Super Bowl victory.
Later, NFL Commissioner Pete Rozelle ordered him to divest the interest in order to continue the NFL venture. Even if, Joe first refused, but later agreed to sell the club.
Moreover, he had a business interest in Broadway Joe’s fast-food franchises and Mantle’s Men and Namath’s Girls (Mickey), an employment agency.
Endorsements & Promotions
One of the iconic NFL figures in the 70s, Joe Namath gained massive approaches of endorsement deals; he appeared in TV commercials for Ovaltine, Noxzema and Hanes.
Moreover, while as guest speaker for Pro Football Hall of Fame in June 2013, he unveiled the $27 million expansion and renovation plan of Canton, Ohio museum.
Also, since 2018, the Super Bowl III champion is a spokesperson for Medicare Coverage Helpline, an insurance agency.
Since his retirement, Namath is an unofficial spokesman and goodwill ambassador for New York Jets.
Did you know? In 1975, the Chicago Winds of the World Football League offered Joe Namath, a contract worth $600,000-a-year for 3 years, a $2 million annuity and a $500,000 signing bonus, eventually, the WFL franchise ownership. However, the WFL collapsed after 5 weeks.
Born To Catholic Parents
Joe Namath, born on May 31, 1943, as Joseph William Namath, grew up in Beaver Falls, Pennsylvania, the USA. His mother Rose and János “John” Andrew Namath, a steelworker, are Catholic and is of Hungarian descent.
He graduated from Beaver Falls High School in 1961 and later enrolled at the University of Alabama, though left to pursue the NFL career.
Later, at the age of 64, he completed an external-program bachelor of arts degree in interdisciplinary studies in 2007 from the same University.
Divorced His Wife Of 15 Years: Father Of 2 Children
Joe was once in a marital relationship with Deborah Mays, an American actress, for 15 years. They met in 1983 while Namath was taking vocal classes; at that time, Joe was 41 while Deborah was 22.
After a year of dating, the duo married on November 7, 1984, and even more, welcomed 2 children: Jessica Namath (born in 1986) and Olivia Rose Namath (born in 1991).
However, Joe and Deborah divorced after 15 years, on June 28, 1991. Following their divorce, Namath’s children lived with him.
As for a fact, his 16-year-old daughter Oliver welcomed a daughter named Natalia in May 2007.
Also, the NFL Star has dated numerous beauties including Kim Basinger, Raquel Welch, Phyllis Davis, Randi Oakes, Janis Joplin, Christa Helm, and Mamie Van Doren.
Did you know? Joe offered a $100,000 reward for the safe return of 2 boys who went missing during a fishing trip off the coast of Florida in July 2015. However, the search was suspended after 6 days when the boat was found & the boys were presumed dead.
