Mean Papi Green Posted March 8, 2005 Share Posted March 8, 2005 Updated: Mar. 8, 2005, 2:26 AM ET Namath on why he's still sober: 'It'd kill me' ESPN.com news services Football Hall of Famer Joe Namath says he has been sober for more than a year and told ESPN on Monday that his continued sobriety is not only a matter of health, but of survival. "It'd kill me," Namath said when asked how he's been able to stay sober. "I know it was just a matter of time. It's not the way I wanted to communicate with my family, under the influence." Namath was a guest Monday on the set of Hot List on ESPNews. In an interview with ESPN's John Buccigross, Namath was asked about his health as a recovering alcoholic, a recovery process that began about a month after Namath told ESPN's Suzy Kolber that he wanted to kiss her in a live sideline interview for an ESPN NFL telecast of a Patriots-Jets game in December 2003. During Monday's interview with Buccigross, Namath also said, "If I see Suzy Kolber around here, I'm going to ask her if I can give her a little kiss." Namath then laughed and quickly added, "Hey, I'm straight. "That was a bad situation that I created, so to speak, and was a blessing in disguise." Namath, who was in Bristol Monday to do some work for ESPN Classic, underwent counseling for alcohol abuse a month after the 2003 sideline incident. "I needed some help," Namath said in August 2004. "I realized that I'm the kind of person who can't drink any more and that's that." Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brenjetsfan Posted March 8, 2005 Share Posted March 8, 2005 I am sooo proud of him..I have been sober for 12 hours! gotta run ...bloody marys are awaiting me Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
joewilly Posted March 8, 2005 Share Posted March 8, 2005 good job joe willie. I wonder if along with sobriety the cravings to kiss suzy diminish as well Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SoFlaJets Posted March 8, 2005 Share Posted March 8, 2005 WTG Joe keep comin back-hey I got 10 days today clean and sober Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
faba Posted March 8, 2005 Share Posted March 8, 2005 Good for Joe Namath- the first battle is to admit to having a problem in the first place and unfortunately it is always a continuing struggle to stay sober and not regress back. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PFSIKH Posted March 8, 2005 Share Posted March 8, 2005 Congrats. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jetswin Posted March 8, 2005 Share Posted March 8, 2005 that's no small accomplishment...good luck Joe Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NIGHT STALKER Posted March 8, 2005 Share Posted March 8, 2005 You see, sometimes an embarrassment on national TV is a good thing... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gg Posted March 8, 2005 Share Posted March 8, 2005 that is wonderful. anyone who has kicked an addiction knows that it is one of the hardest things you will ever do. I continue to be proud that broadway joe is a JET. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brenjetsfan Posted March 8, 2005 Share Posted March 8, 2005 He can SMOOOOOCH me anytime Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Garb Posted March 8, 2005 Share Posted March 8, 2005 I love it when something negative turns into a BIG positive. Congratulations, Mr. Namath. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
124 Posted March 8, 2005 Share Posted March 8, 2005 Congrats. Especially knowing that he didn't have a drink after Brien's choke job in Pittsburgh. Hell even I had a drink after that. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RSJ Posted March 8, 2005 Share Posted March 8, 2005 Congrats Joe Willy. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blackout Posted March 8, 2005 Share Posted March 8, 2005 i already made a thread on this Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Maxman Posted March 8, 2005 Share Posted March 8, 2005 He can SMOOOOOCH me anytime Bren if you have smooched any Jets and care to share the stories here, please feel free. Next week I am going to come clean and tell my Nuu Faaola story. He smacked me around for awhile, so it is hard to discuss for me. But it needs to be said. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TomShane Posted March 8, 2005 Share Posted March 8, 2005 God Bless, Joe. You have to admit, he picked himself up by the boot-straps and was a man the whole way through. He makes no excuses. Way to go, Joe. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Boozer76 Posted March 8, 2005 Share Posted March 8, 2005 What's wrong with being an old happy drunk? All the younger girls think you are cute, and hell they may even let you see their gummy holes :wink: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jetsfan80 Posted March 8, 2005 Share Posted March 8, 2005 I have been sober for the entire 18 years of my life, so Namath's feat isn't all that impressive. Yes, I am a loser. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NIGHT STALKER Posted March 8, 2005 Share Posted March 8, 2005 I have been sober for the entire 18 years of my life, so Namath's feat isn't all that impressive. Yes, I am a loser. No, you're not! Enjoy life...every day is a holiday. It's here and gone before you know it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Savage69 Posted March 8, 2005 Share Posted March 8, 2005 No, you're not! Enjoy life...every day is a holiday. It's here and gone before you know it. Your right that reunion did change you!! :wink: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NIGHT STALKER Posted March 8, 2005 Share Posted March 8, 2005 Your right that reunion did change you!! :wink: Savage, I can't even begin to tell you. I'm glad I went, but on the other hand, I wish I hadn't. Anyway, this is a great site...thanks for recommending it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mavrik Posted March 8, 2005 Share Posted March 8, 2005 I have been sober for the entire 18 years of my life, so Namath's feat isn't all that impressive. Yes, I am a loser. I was sober for the first 18 years of my life also....and then college came...and I've drank enough at parties in 2 years to make up for the last 18. 8) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Smizzy Posted March 8, 2005 Share Posted March 8, 2005 Good for Joe. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jetsfan80 Posted March 9, 2005 Share Posted March 9, 2005 I was sober for the first 18 years of my life also....and then college came...and I've drank enough at parties in 2 years to make up for the last 18. 8) But I'm currently in my 2nd semester at college, and haven't drunk enough IN TOTAL to get me drunk ONCE. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mavrik Posted March 9, 2005 Share Posted March 9, 2005 But I'm currently in my 2nd semester at college, and haven't drunk enough IN TOTAL to get me drunk ONCE. Respectable. I don't get drunk a lot. But a lot of it has to do with what school your at. I don't know where you go but here at FSU, you almost feel obligated to go out and party and drink every weekend. You feel anti-social around here if you dont. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Gun Of Bavaria Posted March 9, 2005 Share Posted March 9, 2005 No booze = he'll be 1000 lbs by years end Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jetsfan80 Posted March 9, 2005 Share Posted March 9, 2005 Respectable. I don't get drunk a lot. But a lot of it has to do with what school your at. I don't know where you go but here at FSU, you almost feel obligated to go out and party and drink every weekend. You feel anti-social around here if you dont. UNCW seems like it's between a party school and an academic school. There aren't many frat houses around, and most people here are serious about their education and what-not, but most people also party on the weekends. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Maxman Posted March 9, 2005 Share Posted March 9, 2005 Savage, I can't even begin to tell you. I'm glad I went, but on the other hand, I wish I hadn't. Anyway, this is a great site...thanks for recommending it. Herm thanks for the kind words about the site! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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