One NFL player you forgot played for your favorite team
By Randy Gurzi
Joe Namath. QB. 51. Scouting Report. Los Angeles Rams. 1977. player. Pick Analysis
Los Angeles Rams – Joe Namath
Johnny Unitas wasn’t the only star quarterback to finish his career far from home for a California-based franchise. The same happened with Joe Namath, who is so synonymous with the New York Jets that he earned the nickname ‘Broadway Joe’.
The funny thing about Namath is, his stats while with the Jets don’t jump out as spectacular. He completed just a shade more than 50 percent of his passes and had 215 interceptions which was much more than the 170 touchdowns he threw for Gang Green. Even so, he was a star who was larger than life, and that helped his legend grow.
What Namath is most well-known for was his bold guarantee that his underdog AFL franchise could actually beat the NFL’s entrants, the Baltimore Colts. He faced none other than Johnny Unitas in that game and while Namath didn’t throw any touchdowns, he did just enough to get the win as he and the Jets walked out with a 17-6 victory.
After 12 seasons, Namath’s time in New York came to an end and he signed with the Los Angeles Rams. He spent the 1977 campaign with L.A. and was just 2-2 as the starter with only 606 yards passing. He added another three touchdowns and five picks to his NFL totals, but it’s hard to picture him in the blue and yellow of the Rams when Namath is all about the Gang Green.