Jump to content

The Best Day Namath Ever Had...


SoFlaJets

Recommended Posts

For those of us old guys who got to see this game live on NBC that day...WOW!!!

Namath outguns Unitas in their final showdown, September 24, 1972, Memorial Stadium, Baltimore

Joe Namath had famously defeated the Baltimore Colts in the 1969 Super Bowl by playing an uncharacteristically Johnny Unitas-type game, conservative, clutch and smart. But in 1970 Namath broke his wrist against Baltimore and the Jets lost thrice to the Colts without him. At Memoral Stadium on September 24, 1972, however, Namath was back, bombing away in a gem of a showdown:

Namath nailed Eddie Bell for a 65-yard TD pass.

Unitas responded with a 40-yard flea-flicker TD.

Two field goals put the Colts up 13-7.

Namath hit John Riggins on a fly pattern for a 67-yard TD.

Don McCauley stunned the Jets, returning the kick-off 93 yards for a touchdown. 20-14, Baltimore.

Namath retaliated immediately. Having stretched Baltimore

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I've posted this before, but I was at the "other" Jets Colts game that year. I thought that was the last Namath-Unitas game. I was only five, but I remember Eddie Bell catching a late bomb for the win. I think it was tipped. Checking the box score Namath went 5-16 for 228 with 2 TDs and 3 INTs! The pass to Bell was 83 yards. Domres was in for Baltimore, so I guess Johnny U was done.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

It was the greatest game I ever saw. This game is why I still say Joe was one of the best of all time. I used to say he was THE best. What were his yards per completion? It was a sensational game and, yes, I remember it well!

Yes. 33 yards per completion. Unheard of before or since!

Link to comment
Share on other sites

If the box score on pro football reference is correct, the home game against Baltimore he went for over 45 per completion.

Well, you're right. But the game is not as memorable because of the 3 interceptions, I guess. But what QB has ever had days like that? YPC of 33 and 45 yards. If there are any, I don't know about it and QB's today don't play mad bomber football. I mean he had almost as may completions as interception and threw for 228 yards in the second Jets-Colts game. That same year they should have beaten the Dolphins and stopped their undefeated season. I think the Dolphins came back and won in the last minute.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

It was the greatest game I ever saw. This game is why I still say Joe was one of the best of all time. I used to say he was THE best. What were his yards per completion? It was a sensational game and, yes, I remember it well!

me too B-3...I wish I could find some video from that game. Even though I can still see that pass to Eddie Bell down the left sidelines in my mind's eye like it happened yesterday

Link to comment
Share on other sites

It's too bad there is no video of that game other than NFL Films GOTW. That game was about 2 years before my time but if you have ever seen the GOTW video on ESPN Classic Namath was just a freak that day.

There was one point where they show the linebacker bearing down on Namath and he just lets it go 40 yds on a rope and hits Bell (I think it was Bell) and NFL Films does such a great job cause you just see Namath walking after the throwing the pass like he is so Joe Cool. No trashtalking, no finger pointing, just another day at the office.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

When I saw title of this thread, I immediately thought he had finally nailed Suzie Kolber.

Joe really dodged a bullet that day. Headlines the next day could have been much worse for him. Instead of "Drunken Joe Hits on Sideline Reporter" it could have been "HOF QB Loses Arm in Coyote Fu<k"

God she's hideous. Ease up on the sauce Joe!

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Archived

This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.

×
×
  • Create New...