NO SPIN NEWS SPECIAL: NFL Hall of Famer Joe Namath

Summary

Podcast Summary: Bill O’Reilly’s No Spin News Special – NFL Hall of Famer Joe Namath

Date: February 6, 2026
Host: Bill O'Reilly
Guest: Joe Namath

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Overview

In this No Spin News Special, Bill O’Reilly sits down with NFL Hall of Famer Joe Namath for an in-depth, personal conversation ahead of the Super Bowl. O’Reilly, a lifelong admirer of Namath, explores the legend's experiences from the iconic 1969 Super Bowl, his rise to stardom, the evolution of the NFL, Namath’s post-football life, and reflections on fame, adversity, and humility.

Throughout the episode, Namath’s candor and storytelling shine, providing unique insights into historic football moments and the mindset behind one of America's most mythic sports figures.

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Key Discussion Points and Insights

The Rough-and-Tumble Days of the AFL

• The Physicality of 1960s Football (02:03–05:09)

  • Namath and O'Reilly reminisce about the AFL's brutal nature and how defensive players would target quarterbacks relentlessly.
    • Joe Namath (03:11): “Well, that's part of the name of the game. Get the quarterback. Quarterback, if you can.”
    • Namath recalls a vivid encounter with Raiders’ defensive end Ben Davidson, describing an on-field fight that symbolized the era's intensity.

• Contrast with Today’s NFL (04:21–05:09)

  • Discusses less protection for quarterbacks in his playing days versus today's stricter safety rules.
  • Namath emphasizes the team aspect, crediting his teammates, especially reminiscing about the defense's resilience after tough moments.

The 1969 AFL Championship & Super Bowl Lead-Up

• Confidence Amidst Doubt (06:19–06:44)

  • O'Reilly points out that most pundits saw the Jets as huge underdogs versus the Colts.
  • Namath: “No, we didn't pay attention to that. They were very good.”

• Tensions Building Pre-Game (06:44–08:14)

  • Namath tells a story about a heated exchange at a bar with Colts players, showing the psychological warfare and mutual disrespect between AFL and NFL teams.
    • Namath (07:30): “Yes. And at the bar. In the restaurant… [Lou Michaels] said, ‘We're gonna kick your ass, Joe, you know.’ I said, well, what, what do you know? You're just a kicker.”

• Overconfidence of the Colts (08:24–08:44)

  • Namath sensed Baltimore’s arrogance and knew the Jets could exploit weaknesses: “I knew we could. We had a better team, was my opinion.” (08:44)

The Famous "Guarantee"

• How the Guarantee Happened (09:08–09:49)

  • Namath recounts the legendary press event where, provoked by a heckling reporter, he declared, “We're going to win the game. I guarantee you.”
    • Namath (09:22): “No, wait a minute. I've been hearing that all week long. I got news for you, buddy. We're going to win the game. I guarantee you.”

• His Thoughts on Making the Prediction (09:55–10:17)

  • He insists he felt no pressure or foresight about making global headlines and stands by his bold response.

• Coach's Reaction (11:02–11:41)

  • Coach Eubank worried about giving the opposition bulletin board material, but Namath reminded the coach, “You told us we will win… you told us you can play.”

Inside the Super Bowl: Strategies, Secrets, and Mindset

• The Don Maynard Deception (13:47–14:17)

  • Namath reveals star receiver Don Maynard was injured, but this was kept secret, confusing the Colts’ defense and contributing to their victory.

• The Game’s Tempo and Key Plays (14:40–15:04)

  • The Jets only scored one touchdown, but Namath wasn’t disappointed: “We were ahead. No, it wasn't disappointing.”

• Physicality and Mind Games During the Game (15:07–16:19)

  • Namath compares Oakland’s malicious play to Baltimore’s, saying “Oakland… that was a different animal.”
  • Discusses how Johnny Sample “did a lot of [trash-talking],” boosting the Jets’ defensive edge.

• When Victory Felt Assured (16:29–16:46)

  • As the clock wound down in the fourth quarter, Namath felt the win was within reach: “Oh please, clock God, please let that clock run.”

• Facing Johnny Unitas (16:58–18:01)

  • Namath’s childhood hero came in as relief quarterback, an awe-inspiring moment for Namath, but he notes Unitas’s arm strength had faded.

The Aftermath and Legacy of the 1969 Super Bowl

• Changing the NFL Landscape (18:01–18:50)

  • O'Reilly points out the Jets’ victory was pivotal in merging the AFL and NFL into a single, competitive league.

• Namath Becomes an Icon (19:10–21:36)

  • Moments of quiet celebration with friends and a girlfriend post-game; Namath describes the surreal transition to fame and how little he anticipated it.
  • O’Reilly (19:26): “Joe, do you feel like you’re king of the hill?”
    • Namath: “No, no, we’re king of the hill. We got the team, brother.”

• Myths Debunked and Traditions Examined (21:36–23:38)

  • Namath addresses rumors of late-night carousing and the lack of post-game congratulations from the Colts.
  • Acknowledges changing sportsmanship conventions over time.

The Jets Since 1969 and Evolving Football

• Jets’ Ongoing Title Drought (24:17–25:01)

  • O’Reilly notes the Jets' last championship was in 1969—with joking reference to a supposed "Namath curse." Namath affirms his continued support for the franchise.

• Differences in Modern Football (25:06–27:17)

  • Namath marvels at today’s players: “They're bigger, stronger, faster overall. They have better training… a weight room that’s the size of a football field nearly.”
  • He singles out Aaron Rodgers, “moving around nicely at 42 years old,” and defers to Tom Brady as “the best ever.”

• Namath’s Approach: Fearlessness and Team-First (27:29–28:34)

  • O'Reilly highlights Namath’s fearless mindset, willingness to throw deep after interceptions, and leadership.

• Shout-Out to Unsung Heroes (Matt Snell) (28:34–29:59)

  • Namath reminisces about back Matt Snell’s pivotal Super Bowl contributions and laments his absence from Jets' history, due to post-career disputes.

Life After Football: Health, Charity, and Reflection

• Charity and Support for Concussed Players (30:06–31:56)

  • Namath describes his foundation’s work (JoeNamath.org) and personal experiences with hyperbaric oxygen therapy, which improved his mental acuity after football.
    • Namath (31:16): “I think that did a, a great deal for me. I had some X rays… there were dark spots… after the first 40, we looked at [them] and the dark spots had lightened up a bit.”

• Was It Worth the Physical Toll? (32:17–32:43)

  • Despite injuries and surgeries, Namath expresses no regrets: “Yes, of course it was. Yeah. First of all, being able to win a championship…”

Humility, Family, and American Success

• Staying Grounded Despite Stardom (33:14–34:05)

  • Namath attributes humility to his large, blue-collar family: “I was the youngest of four boys and a sister… I thought my name was Shut up till I was 14.” (33:43)

• Hollywood Adventures and Cultural Status (34:05–36:02)

  • O'Reilly humorously envies Namath for starring in a film with Ann-Margret. Namath describes that period as luck, not foresight, and prizes performing well on Broadway above Hollywood.
  • Namath (36:00): “Goosebumps now... I never… I don't think I've shared that…”

• Gratitude and Uniquely American Opportunities (36:12–37:37)

  • Namath repeatedly expresses thanks for his luck, family, and America.
  • Emphasized having no special connections—just perseverance and seizing opportunities.

Adversity, Coaches, and Leadership

• Bad Days, Resilience, and Tough Coaching (37:42–38:54)

  • Acknowledges injuries, losses, and tough feedback from legendary coaches like Bear Bryant, who taught humility and focus on team over self.
    • Namath (39:27): “Coach Bryant… Get away from that popcorn, kid. Go talk to the guys that did the winning.”

• No Curse on the Jets, No Magic Advice (43:34–43:53)

  • Namath refutes the idea of a curse and hopes for the Jets’ resurgence.
  • Younger players, he says, “are in their own little world” and seldom seek his input.

• Reflections on Change and Sobriety (42:05–42:47)

  • Namath speaks openly about overcoming alcohol abuse and how it saved his life and family: “Had I continued to drink, I would have really ruined my family and myself at the same time.” (42:22)

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Notable Quotes and Memorable Moments

• “I swear I was hot, boy...” — Joe Namath, recalling his battle with Ben Davidson (03:11)
• “We're going to win the game. I guarantee you.” — Joe Namath, on his famous prediction (09:22)
• “I didn't think that… You never do something on your own, except maybe pass away or you get help along the way. I respected my teammates.” — Joe Namath, on individual fame (19:56)
• “Oh please, clock God, please let that clock run.” — Joe Namath, on realizing the victory was near (16:46)
• “It all starts at home, you know.” — Joe Namath, on the role of family and upbringing (37:37)
• “I've been very lucky, no doubt...” — Joe Namath, humility after decades of fame (33:14)
• “Yes, of course it was [worth it]. Being able to win a championship in sports... it’s a team game.” — Joe Namath, on whether the pain was justified (32:18)

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Important Segments with Timestamps

• [02:03–05:09] – The brutal, unprotected world of AFL quarterbacks and the “anything goes” era.
• [06:19–08:14] – Colts’ disrespect, psychological games, and pre-Super Bowl tensions.
• [09:08–11:41] – The story behind the “guarantee” and its consequences.
• [13:47–15:04] – The in-game strategy, secret injuries, and managing expectations.
• [18:01–19:38] – Aftermath of the Jets’ victory and Namath’s sudden legendary status.
• [25:06–27:17] – Modern football, increased athleticism, and Namath’s perspective on today’s quarterbacks.
• [30:06–31:56] – Namath’s work on concussion recovery and the Joe Namath Foundation.
• [42:05–42:47] – Candid talk about sobriety and making life changes.

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Tone and Style

This episode features banter, nostalgia, candor, and a warm, reflective tone. Namath’s humor and humility softens O'Reilly’s direct questioning, resulting in a conversational, approachable atmosphere that’s insightful for football fans and newcomers alike.

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Summary Takeaway

This special episode goes far beyond football highlights; it delves into the psychology of teamwork, the realities of fame, the evolution of American sports, and the value of humility. Namath is shown not just as a sports icon but as a thoughtful, lucky, and grateful man who credits family, teammates, and America for his remarkable journey.

Transcript

[Bill O'Reilly]

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[Joe Namath]

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[Bill O'Reilly]

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[Joe Namath]

Not quite right. Look good.

[Bill O'Reilly]

You know, you look like the jets could start you and win. Oh, boy. We'll get to that. We'll get to that. So I want to take you back to 1969. It's amazing how life goes so fast, isn't it?

[Joe Namath]

It is. It is. If you're lucky. You know any drags when you're, something's wrong, somebody's sick or something's going right.

[Bill O'Reilly]

But yeah, the years pass. The, the memories don't. And 1969, the American Football League was still trying to get credibility with the National Football League, but it was a rough and tumble league. I used to go to some of the games at Shea Stadium in New York, and they were beating the hell out of each other. I mean, in the afl. And you played the Oakland Raiders for the championship of the American Football league. And whoever won that game, 1969, January, was going to the Super Bowl. They tried to kill you, didn't they?

[Joe Namath]

Well, that's part of the name of the game. Get the quarterback. Quarterback, if you can.

[Bill O'Reilly]

But it's different now than it was back then. So these guys on Oakland, they were out to knock you off the field physically, correct?

[Joe Namath]

Yes, yes. Well, that's the thing. If you can debilitate the quarterback, you got a better chance of winning. And the Raiders were notoriously a team that did extracurricular kind of work out there on the field. One of the first times I played against the Raiders, they had a big defensive end named Ben Davidson. And he, he got me, he had me on the ground, he twisted my head and then he put his hand under my face mask and came down there and he got up and he's walking away. And I ran and I grabbed him, I grabbed him and turned him. He turned around and looked at me and I looked at him and I told him, I said, man, you ever do that again, I'm gonna get a gun, I'm gonna shoot your wife, your children and you. I swear I was hot, boy. And.

[Bill O'Reilly]

But the. They weren't like they were today, trying to protect the quarterback.

[Joe Namath]

No, of course, but they, they still don't. All the players know about wheels, the knees for sure, and the heads, right. And they've done a good job trying to respect that. Sometimes you see a guy cutting somebody or getting hit in the head, but the players know that it goes around, what goes around comes around. So they protect one another when it comes to the head and the knee.

[Bill O'Reilly]

So it's a different game. Because back then anything, pretty much anything goes, right? Oh, yeah, you can get away with it. So you beat the Raiders in a wild shootout, right? I mean, it was a high scoring game. You were the reason that you won because you racked up so many yards passing. But you must have been hurting after that game.

[Joe Namath]

You heard after a lot of games, Bill. But you know, the quarterbacks get a lot of credit. And it. And you say I was the reason, I was a good reason. But without our defense, without our offense, without that, it's a team game, honestly. God, it's one of the best team game. And whenever our defense got scored on late, I threw an interception and Oakham went down and scored the touchdown. I told the Cats, you know, on the bench, Al Atkinson, our defensive cabinet, said, hey, we're going to get it back, we're going to get it back. Don't get low man, come on, get ready, because we're going to get it back. And we got it back. We hit a couple of big plays. Shea Stadium, you probably remember that the wind comes around in there, a swirling wind, and the greatest catch I've ever seen to this day to me, and we see some great catches. One handed threw a long ball to Don Maynard and the wind caught it. And he was running out there and he swirled, he turned around and he caught the thing this way and went out of bounds. And that's still, to this day, for me, the greatest sketch I've ever seen.

[Bill O'Reilly]

All right, so you beat these guys, the Oakland Raiders, and now you're facing the Baltimore Colts in the Super Bowl. And most sports casters and writers were mocking the New York jets, saying you didn't have a chance, shouldn't be on the same field, all of that. Did you pay attention to that?

[Joe Namath]

Well, they were very good. No, we didn't pay attention to that. They were very good. But there's still a few nights before the game, you know, in Fort Lauderdale, down the Colchester. Staying there too. It was a restaurant, I'd call it, but it was a bar. Restaurant. Sitting at the bar and two guys there next to me. One was Lou Michaels, the defensive tackle for the Colts, and offensive guard Dan Sullivan. And we're drinking a little bit and Lou, whom I met before because he went to Kentucky and my brother Frank went to Kentucky and played ball some. Anyway, Lou just, you know, had to do, had to say it. We're going to kick your ass.

[Bill O'Reilly]

So he was taunting you?

[Joe Namath]

Yeah, yeah.

[Bill O'Reilly]

In the restaurant?

[Joe Namath]

Yes. And at the bar. In the restaurant.

[Bill O'Reilly]

Was Lou out of his mind, drunk or what?

[Joe Namath]

No, no, he was serious. He's. He, he was, he was serious or trying to push a button. And I have. Well, anyway, I said, lou, come on, man, you don't talk like that, right? He said, well, we're gonna kick your ass, Joe, you know. I said, well, what, what do you know? You're just a kicker. Oh, oh, he got up there. That jaw got up and again. And what, Shinnick or whatever, who was the, the guy with him? He said, no, Lou, you know what I'm saying?

[Bill O'Reilly]

So there's always a brawl.

[Joe Namath]

Well, it wouldn't have been abroad have been a killing.

[Bill O'Reilly]

He would have wiped you out. They got. Yeah, okay, so. So tensions are high. This isn't some relaxed game. This is a lot on the line, right?

[Joe Namath]

Well, yeah, they, they, you know, Baltimore was overconfident. You know, they had no respect for the afl, the NFL Didn't. The first two games, they went their way, and they were overconfident.

[Bill O'Reilly]

And you guys knew that.

[Joe Namath]

Oh, I felt that way. I knew it. And what I saw on film, I knew we could take advantage of.

[Bill O'Reilly]

Okay.

[Joe Namath]

I knew we could. We had a better team, was my opinion. Our defense was good, was out.

[Bill O'Reilly]

So you were confident with the rest of your team. Confident, though? Yeah, they all were.

[Joe Namath]

They all knew that they could play. You know, some guys. There's 40 guys. And how many guys some guys might have had. These guys are really good. But I didn't. I didn't sense that then, and I don't remember that. I think we were all very confident.

[Bill O'Reilly]

The myth then says, and I'm going to play a sound clip now. The myth then says that you were at a kind of a press event and then predicted a victory. Roll that tape.

[Joe Namath]

I get up to the podium, and a guy in the back of the room yells out, hey, Namath, we're going to kick your. You know what? And it just. You know, it was just. No, wait a minute. I've been hearing that all week long. I got news for you, buddy. We're going to win the game. I guarantee you that's all there was to it. One guy in the media picked up on that statement. Then everybody said, oh, guaranteeing a win. Guaranteeing a win.

[Bill O'Reilly]

That was ballsy. Did you know when you were saying that how outrageous that was?

[Joe Namath]

I didn't care. It was a wise guy that yelled out, namath, we're gonna kick your ass. You know? And I said, hey, buddy, I got news for you. We're gonna win the game. I guarantee it.

[Bill O'Reilly]

Okay, so you didn't care that this was gonna be worldwide headlines and that, you know.

[Joe Namath]

Oh, no, no. And then. No, no.

[Bill O'Reilly]

Are you. If you had to do it again, would you do it again?

[Joe Namath]

Absolutely. It was a wise guy back there, you know?

[Bill O'Reilly]

All right. But very few athletes. Ali did it. Muhammad Ali did it. Okay? But now they. Today they go, oh, yeah, we'll just play our best. We thank the Lord we're here.

[Joe Namath]

You know what they do?

[Bill O'Reilly]

They don't do what you did.

[Joe Namath]

First of all, we miss Muhammad. Yeah, man. Every time you mention his name, I get some good mem boy, right? But, yeah. Well, the next day at practice, Coach Eubanks out in the middle of the field, and we were warming up on the sidelines and still come in. Bill Hampton, our equipment manager, came over, said, joe Rifle, he called me. He said, right. For. The coach wants to see you. I said, okay. I Jog out there and say, yes, sir. And he's standing there like this, boy.

[Bill O'Reilly]

He'S little Eubank, little guy.

[Joe Namath]

He's standing there like this. You know what you've done, sir? He said, you know what you've done? What do you, what? No, he said, you, you've given these guys ammunition. They're going to put these bulletin boards up, all these clippings about you guaranteeing this game. And you get, you're firing them up. I said, well, Coach, you know, it's your fault. He said what?

[Bill O'Reilly]

He said it was his fault.

[Joe Namath]

Yes, yes, absolutely. I said, coach, it's your flawed. He said, what? I said, you told us we will win. You told us you can play. He said, get out of here. Get out of here.

[Bill O'Reilly]

Okay, so now there's fire on the Baltimore side. Okay, we're going to show this Namath in the Jets. How did your side, other than Weeb, Eubank, the coach, were they happy you did that, the players?

[Joe Namath]

I think so, for the most part, yeah. Johnny, our co captain, came to me last night.

[Bill O'Reilly]

Yeah.

[Joe Namath]

Johnny Sample. And he asked me why I did that. And I told him, we are going to win. What do you think? He said, okay, you know that thing we felt like we knew we were going to win. We really believed Baltimore wasn't going to change for us.

[Bill O'Reilly]

Right. They were the same team, but they were a very successful team.

[Joe Namath]

Yes, they were a very successful team. I don't know. They lost one game that year. I'm not sure, maybe.

[Bill O'Reilly]

But I do know they had the most arrogant coach in the league with Don Shula. Well, you were one SOB Shula.

[Joe Namath]

Well, you guys saying he's Hungary and I like dawn, we got a long.

[Bill O'Reilly]

Very, you know, you know, he's strutting in there going, we're not letting these.

[Joe Namath]

Guys beat us, you know, I don't know. I, I don't think he'd have had that kind of feeling, but maybe they all did because they won, Hank, you know? Yeah.

[Bill O'Reilly]

Would you say they were cocky, though, when they took the feel for the game with Baltimore? Cocky? Could you feel that energy?

[Joe Namath]

I, I, I didn't pay attention to them.

[Bill O'Reilly]

How were the jets in the locker room right before you went out? Okay. Big, huge game. Okay. Because your namath in New York and all of that, you're down in Orange Bowl Miami. Okay. You're in a locker room, guys throwing up or guys tight. What was it?

[Joe Namath]

It was normal. It was pretty, pretty normal. I'm, I'm just guessing at that. We had a loose bunch of guys and we knew we could play and we weren't going to beat ourselves. You know, most teams beat themselves by making mental errors and then throwing the ball, you know, whatever. And we had a smart team. So.

[Bill O'Reilly]

Okay, you also had a devious team because your top receiver, Don Maynard, who you referenced earlier, is the best catch. He had a knee injury, he had a leg injury and nobody told anybody. Colts didn't know it and they were double teaming Maynard. He didn't catch a pass the whole game.

[Joe Namath]

Yeah, I think I threw one pass and missed them a little bit long.

[Bill O'Reilly]

Right.

[Joe Namath]

He was not 100%, of course, but they doubled him and they didn't know.

[Bill O'Reilly]

That he wasn't 100%.

[Joe Namath]

They were doubling down all the time, man.

[Bill O'Reilly]

And did you know that he had a leg injury? You know that?

[Joe Namath]

Well, in practice, you know, you learn from practice. Yes, but you still look for them. You know, I still look through most.

[Bill O'Reilly]

George Sour, the second receiver who had more than 100 yards.

[Joe Namath]

And big boy Pete Lamons are tight end Matt Snell and Boozer, you know, we moved it around, but you all.

[Bill O'Reilly]

Guys only scored one touchdown. Okay. Was that disappointing to you?

[Joe Namath]

We were ahead. No, it wasn't disappointing.

[Bill O'Reilly]

Yeah, you were win 16 nothing in the fall.

[Joe Namath]

We were. It wasn't disappointing. I could understand that you want to score more touchdowns, but this was a very good team. They were tough on defense and we were ahead all the way. You know, we weren't behind.

[Bill O'Reilly]

Did they do what Oakland did to you? They try to hurt you?

[Joe Namath]

I don't know about that. No. Oakland, that was a different animal and that was a different year too early on. I think most defensive players are trying to debilitate the opponent even today. Why not? Yes, but cleanly. You want to knock them out, Right. What are you. Yeah, you know, it's a contact game now. They're protecting the vital, the knees and the head much better today and the players are respecting that. But you want to jack somebody up. Yeah. You don't want them to get up you.

[Bill O'Reilly]

When you were on the field during the game, were they taunting you?

[Joe Namath]

Baltimore.

[Bill O'Reilly]

Were they yelling at you and saying stuff to you?

[Joe Namath]

I don't remember anybody.

[Bill O'Reilly]

You blocked it out.

[Joe Namath]

I. I don't know that I blocked it out. I didn't need to, but I don't. There wasn't any mouthing going back.

[Bill O'Reilly]

No, it wasn't any trash talking at all.

[Joe Namath]

Well, Johnny Sample, our cornerback, he did a lot of it. That was Johnny style and you know, it was. It was good because it influenced our Defense and. Yeah, and it distracted the other guys.

[Bill O'Reilly]

So when did you know you were going to win the game? The biggest upset in super bowl history. When did you know you had them?

[Joe Namath]

I believed we were going to win. And whenever I looked up at the clock and in the fourth quarter and it was late, I said, oh please, clock God, please let that clock run.

[Bill O'Reilly]

Because they changed quarterbacks. It went from Earl Morrow, who was the mvp, a terrible game. And Johnny, huge, the legend Johnny Unitis comes on the field. What did you think when you saw that?

[Joe Namath]

Well, first of all, I got. I was lucky enough to get to know Johnny and he was a hero of mine. Even when in high school, I wore number 19 out of respect for the Western Pennsylvania guy. Johnny Yu man. And one of my nicknames was Joey you when I was younger, you see. But whenever I saw him coming out. Well, actually before the game in the sidelines, looking back and forth, I. I went into a little thing, man, my head looked across there and saw Johnny. I said, wow. Yeah, look at where we are. Here he comes. Oh man.

[Bill O'Reilly]

And he did put seven on the board.

[Joe Namath]

Yeah, well, but he, honestly, his, he wasn't the thrower he was when he was younger. The zip on the ball had, had gone. And that happens to quarterbacks as you age. And back then, you know, we did. The training is not as good as today as far as weight rooms. You know, you had a weight boot to help your quad and if you had a bad knee. These athletes today are spectacular, right?

[Bill O'Reilly]

Well, they're in a gym 24 7. These guys. I mean they're like machines. So you win the game and then everything in football, pro football changes. Everything changes. You have parody then it was a merger of the two leagues and, and all of that. We have one more clip we want to show. When you won the game, you were running off the field and you raised your finger. Number. You had never done that before.

[Joe Namath]

Never. No. And we, we won a couple of championships, high school and college too. We never did that.

[Bill O'Reilly]

Why'd you do it then?

[Joe Namath]

Because these people, the afl, the Jet fans, they've been struggling, you know, and it was like a finality. We're number one. Yeah, it's the league that could, you know, we were second rate league, so. So to speak.

[Bill O'Reilly]

And there have been a bunch of documentaries about the game and they all cite the aftermath right after you won. Roll the tape. It took quite a while to get Joe to talk to the press because he was so angry that so many of them had picked the cults. So Many of them had critic, just a wind grouse.

[Joe Namath]

I don't know about that. I know it's a hell of a loss for those folks to take it the other way.

[Bill O'Reilly]

He sat on the table, was back against the wall, and was able to get the inside position.

[Joe Namath]

Gotta have confidence in your team. You gotta have confidence in yourself. If you don't have that confidence, you can't play football. We all felt we could win. We won.

[Bill O'Reilly]

And I asked Joe specifically, Joe, do you feel like you're king of the hill?

[Joe Namath]

Joe, you're king of the hill. No, no, we're king of the hill. We got the team, brother.

[Bill O'Reilly]

Now, did you know, sitting in a locker room at all guys, that your life was going to change, that you were now going to be elevated to this kind of mystical, which you still maintain today, superstar status? Did you know that?

[Joe Namath]

No, I didn't think that. You're always taught to be humble and have the respect for what you're doing, your teammates and all that. You never do something on your own, except maybe pass away or you get help along the way. I respected my teammates. I respected the help. I know I couldn't have done flip without the cats up front.

[Bill O'Reilly]

Okay? But, you know, there's always, in America, you have to have a star, you have to have a villain, and so you're the star. And then Hollywood comes, right? Ed Sullivan's show, your own show. But you at the time, didn't know all of that was going to come, Mr. Sullivan, right?

[Joe Namath]

No.

[Bill O'Reilly]

You didn't know any of that was going to come?

[Joe Namath]

No, I didn't expect that. It's. Of course not.

[Bill O'Reilly]

What does your teammate say to you?

[Joe Namath]

Good game. You know, that was it. Yeah. We expected to win.

[Bill O'Reilly]

So there wasn't any deviation after you won than another game?

[Joe Namath]

No. You know, one memory I really have is just terrific, a couple of memories. But after the game, I left the locker room, got over, got in the car, and my girlfriend was sitting in the middle, and Joe Hirsch, my buddy, roommate, was driving the car. They didn't say a word. I didn't say a word. And we started driving out, following the traffic. No one said a word. And then Mr. Hirsch, he started chuckling, and Susie, we just started chuckling a bit, you know, you knew you did it. We did, yeah.

[Bill O'Reilly]

That is a myth that you stayed out all night before the game. Is that true? Well, you stayed up very late before.

[Joe Namath]

Oh, that was a championship game. And it wasn't all night. No.

[Bill O'Reilly]

Oh, that was the Oakland game.

[Joe Namath]

Yeah. Yeah. That's my Family was in town and they had. All right, had.

[Bill O'Reilly]

So you were carousing before the super bowl game?

[Joe Namath]

No, no, no, because we would.

[Bill O'Reilly]

Did you have a curfew? Did you have.

[Joe Namath]

Oh, yeah, yeah, we had curfews and room checks. Sure.

[Bill O'Reilly]

Okay. Also, some of the Jet players have told me that after the game was over and you were on the field, none of the Colts came over to congratulate you.

[Joe Namath]

I don't know. I wasn't looking for.

[Bill O'Reilly]

But do you remember anybody coming over to Don Shuler? Anybody come over and say, joe, excellent game? Did anybody do that?

[Joe Namath]

Yeah, I believe Ordell Bracey may have a linebacker. There isn't.

[Bill O'Reilly]

Yeah.

[Joe Namath]

And he told me to remember the Lord, remember Jesus Christ. Okay.

[Bill O'Reilly]

But they didn't come over in a mass. Congratulations. They were mad.

[Joe Namath]

Well, I imagine they were sick, too.

[Bill O'Reilly]

Yeah.

[Joe Namath]

Yeah. You know, they. They fully expected to win, and they. They were overconfident. You know, they ran through the NFL that year, man. They had a really good team.

[Bill O'Reilly]

Do you think that Shula and Weeb Eubank. Because I can't find any. Did they congratulate each other or say anything?

[Joe Namath]

I think they congratulated one another. I'm not sure it was right because.

[Bill O'Reilly]

Today, you know, after the game, the coaches always give you the little. And some of them like each other and some of them don't. I mean, obviously. But somebody told me, one of the Jet players said that we were kind of surprised that very few Colts came over to congratulate us.

[Joe Namath]

Well, who's looking for somebody to come over if we lost? I don't think I'd go.

[Bill O'Reilly]

You wouldn't have gone over. It's a good game.

[Joe Namath]

No, if you lose.

[Bill O'Reilly]

Yeah.

[Joe Namath]

You get out of there. What are you talking about? You know, you don't feel good, man.

[Bill O'Reilly]

Well, I know, but today it's a different thing. You know, they do that. They congratulate each other after the game on the field. It's almost an NFL ritual.

[Joe Namath]

Well, if you have friends or they know each other better these days, you know, it's all right.

[Bill O'Reilly]

So you and your girlfriend and your best friend are driving away and your whole life is changing, but you're not really aware of how it's going to change, though, Right? You're just thinking about the game and the satisfaction of winning.

[Joe Namath]

Well, no, I'm not thinking about how the life's going to change at all. It's. You know. But again, we won a championship in high school, college. I expected we'd win a championship, you know. Right, right.

[Bill O'Reilly]

And that was the last time the New York jets won a championship in 1969. And one of the jets, the current jets, said to me, Joe Namath put a curse on us.

[Joe Namath]

No, I'm always pulling for him, I promise you that. And like anything, it starts at the top. You know, Leon Hess, Mr. Word. And these guys, they, they, Donald, those, they were terrific owners. They are terrific owners. And.

[Bill O'Reilly]

But it's been a long time.

[Joe Namath]

We had the coach that had been there before and he was good. And Buddy Ryan, what a, what a defensive coach he was. And I, you know, we, we played well that year.

[Bill O'Reilly]

Right. Today's game. Do you watch?

[Joe Namath]

Oh, yes. Yeah. Yeah.

[Bill O'Reilly]

Are there any players that you have seen that might emulate Joe Namath and reach that kind of a level?

[Joe Namath]

You know, I see college guys that are bigger and better and faster. Throwing the ball. Good, throwing it really well. I can't compare myself to those guys. I mean, we did it. That was. But the animals different these days, man. They're bigger, stronger, faster overall. They have better training. They had a weight room. We had a weight boot. Right. You know, nutritionally, they're just. I go over to the Alabama facility now and then and to see how they have a weight room that's the size of a football field nearly.

[Bill O'Reilly]

It's a whole different thing.

[Joe Namath]

Yeah, yeah. The athletes are all bigger, stronger, faster, and they work on it year round.

[Bill O'Reilly]

But still the quarterback is the centerpiece piece. Any quarterbacks in the league, younger ones that caught your eye?

[Joe Namath]

Oh, man, I haven't been thinking about this. Right. But I, I marvel at most of them. I really do. Even a kid that didn't make the playoffs. Well, the playoffs haven't started. The Chicago Bears, I watch that guy.

[Bill O'Reilly]

Yeah.

[Joe Namath]

Boy, he moves around, he throws the ball. They're, they're special, I think. A guy that always catches my eyes because he's still playing as Aaron Rodgers, too. And what he's accomplished over here, like you are.

[Bill O'Reilly]

Rogers, I think, you know, he.

[Joe Namath]

Well, he has better wills, you know, he was. Yeah.

[Bill O'Reilly]

You had to retire at 34?

[Joe Namath]

Well, I had torn knee ligaments in college, you know, and getting those things straightened out, we, we didn't. They weren't as good as they. You'd like it to be, but they were good enough to do it one time.

[Bill O'Reilly]

And Rogers can still throw the ball.

[Joe Namath]

Oh, he's, he's, he's wonderful. He's moving around nicely at 42 years old. You know, I watch the footwork. I watch him move around and all, and he still has some Heat on the ball, too. Yeah. Velocity.

[Bill O'Reilly]

Now, Tom Brady's considered the best ever.

[Joe Namath]

I wouldn't argue with that. No, no, no. It's a team game, as we know, but Tom came through in the clutch those eight times or whatever they were.

[Bill O'Reilly]

Yeah, you're in the hall of Fame, of course. First quarterback ever throw for more than 4,000 yards. What I picked up from you as a kid, because I was playing college ball was that you were fearless. You weren't afraid of anything, and you threw four interceptions. You're still going to throw deep. Well, yeah, but that's unusual, Joe, Come on. Most quarterbacks, they throw a couple of picks and they're going to. Not you.

[Joe Namath]

I don't know about the. You know, what. How the other guys feel. You know, I know. I just wanted to win, and we did our best to win.

[Bill O'Reilly]

But you didn't seem to care about what anybody thought about you out there. You were gonna just do what you thought you had to do to win.

[Joe Namath]

I felt like I knew the game as well as. I don't want to upset the coaches, but, you know, I learned a lot of film, too. You know, we studied film in high school, on through college and pro ball. You know, study, study, study.

[Bill O'Reilly]

One of the guys that really has disappeared but was the key to your super bowl win is Matt Snell. Unbelievable back and had an unbelievable game in 1969. So every time you needed a breather, you just said, here, take the ball.

[Joe Namath]

Oh, man, you remind me, Matt, in that play, we scored the touchdown, right? I remember in the huddle, getting in the huddle, and I told the guys, I said, all right, listen up, listen up. We're going to get up there and get set because we're going to run 19 reach on the first sound. Now listen up. We're going to run 19 reach on the first sound. What that meant was, when I got up there, it didn't go into a cadence. It was the first. You know, gave it a Matt. And Matt took it outside, walked in. You know, he outran everybody. And our line got the jump on Baltimore's and. Because the.

[Bill O'Reilly]

Baltimore was very good that year, and he disappeared. Matt.

[Joe Namath]

Yes, yes. And sadly so, because from what I was told, and Matt didn't tell me this himself, but Matt went to the jets to want to work for him. He wanted to continue when he retired to work for him, and. And they turned him down. So that's why he disappeared. He never came back to another function. I hope he's still with us, because.

[Bill O'Reilly]

I don't know I think he is out on Long Island. But he played an amazing game.

[Joe Namath]

Yeah.

[Bill O'Reilly]

Super bowl game. And I wanted, you know, to bring that back. Now, a lot of people don't know that you've devoted your life in your later years to helping football players who have gotten concussed and, and have neurological problems. It's Jo Namath.org JonAmath.org and as you know, I help support your charity after many years, you yourself, at age 82, just went through a conversation with me that most 50 year olds couldn't have gone through. You understand that, don't you?

[Joe Namath]

I, I don't know. Yeah.

[Bill O'Reilly]

Okay, so number one, I'm firing questions to you like this.

[Joe Namath]

Boom, boom, boom, boom.

[Bill O'Reilly]

And you're answering the questions and people are gonna go, whoa, look at that. But a lot of your contemporaries, they don't have the mental acuity anymore because of football.

[Joe Namath]

Yes, that's right. And I was lucky again, lucky. I was able to take 120 hyperbaric oxygen dives.

[Bill O'Reilly]

Wow.

[Joe Namath]

In my home here in Jupiter, Florida. And I think that did a, a great deal for me. I had some X rays and scans done in my brain and there were dark spots where I wasn't getting a blood flow. And so I got fortunate. Where at Jupiter Medical Center. They let me come in there and I got in the tube and I had it by the window because I'm plus tendencies of claustrophobia, you know, but it was a clear tube and I got to do 120 dives. After the first 40, we, we looked at him and the dark spots had lightened up a bit.

[Bill O'Reilly]

How old were you when you started that?

[Joe Namath]

Wow. This has got to be 30 years ago, you know, 50s. Yeah, probably 50s.

[Bill O'Reilly]

In addition, you had two knee replacements, right?

[Joe Namath]

Yeah. And the shoulder and hips and hip.

[Bill O'Reilly]

Was it worth it?

[Joe Namath]

Yes, of course it was. Yeah. Yeah. First of all, being able to win a championship in sports, when you crave it that much and you want to be a part of it and share it with so many people. You know, it's, it's I, it's team game. And you're able to share it with. Yeah.

[Bill O'Reilly]

You know, let's see, 69, 31 years at 26, 57 years ago. Right. That you won a Super Bowl 57 years ago. You walk into any place in this country, they know Joe Namath and they want your autograph, they want a picture with you. They want. That's unbelievable. Only in America, there couldn't.

[Joe Namath]

Oh boy, thank God for America.

[Bill O'Reilly]

Still a superstar after all of this time there's not many.

[Joe Namath]

I've been very lucky, no doubt, with. With the health and all. And that moved around in different areas where I was still visible with some TV stuff and all. And I. I don't know what to say except thank you, folks.

[Bill O'Reilly]

Well, you've always been a humble guy. You know, everybody thinks you're. Because you're so charismatic and cocky, but in private, you're not like that.

[Joe Namath]

What was it? I tell it with a little humor. I was the youngest of four boys and a sister, too, and I thought my name was Shut up till I was 14.

[Bill O'Reilly]

So the family taught you humility?

[Joe Namath]

It starts with the family. Absolutely. To this day, it starts at home forever.

[Bill O'Reilly]

So I was a quarterback, too, and I would. But I, as I said, didn't have a tenth of the talent that you had. Were born with and. But I idolized you and. And try to emulate you. But the biggest jealousy factor I had with Joe Namath, and it's absolutely true, is that you starred in a movie with Ann Margret. I remember sitting in that theater going, how am I gonna do that?

[Joe Namath]

She was a wonderful lady.

[Bill O'Reilly]

She is. I got to know her.

[Joe Namath]

Okay, good. Yeah, Roger got.

[Bill O'Reilly]

But that's what I mean. You win this game with these gorillas from Baltimore, and there's Ann Margaret going hang.

[Joe Namath]

Hi, Joe. Yeah, well, I. You know, I didn't plan that part of my life, and it just happened. Lucky enough to. To be invited to do some things. Right. I thank God for that, too, man.

[Bill O'Reilly]

Was that as rewarding as the football?

[Joe Namath]

No, not really. Because I knew I was not a really good actor, and I never did it as well as I wanted to do it. And to this day, I think about it and rehearse things over a bit, but looking at where I was and what I was doing. I know. Wow. Man. I. I was. Except for. For. For one thing. William Woke. Woke, who wrote the K. Mutiny Court Martial. I was performing with Phil Bosco and Michael Moriarty on Broadway in the K. Mutiny Court Martial. And after the play came back to I heard an Archie, he came to the dressing room where I was, and he introduced himself and he said, you know, Joe, you played Merrick. The way I saw him.

[Bill O'Reilly]

Wow, what a compliment.

[Joe Namath]

Goosebumps now.

[Bill O'Reilly]

Yeah.

[Joe Namath]

And I never. I don't think I've shared that with. Right. Maybe my daughters or whatever, but.

[Bill O'Reilly]

Well, you've had an unbelievable life. Right?

[Joe Namath]

Yeah. I thank God every day.

[Bill O'Reilly]

And no other country in the world could have provided that. Even the big soccer stars over in Spain and not doing anything. So I always tell people, look, God gives everybody talent. I think you agree with that. Everybody gets talent when they're born. You just have to find it, you.

[Joe Namath]

Know, wait, I hate to. We go into those neonatal units and we wonder, and we ask God sometimes why a child's brought into the world the way they are.

[Bill O'Reilly]

Yeah, I know. When they're, when they're disabled and things like that.

[Joe Namath]

Yeah, right.

[Bill O'Reilly]

But there's an innate ability in everybody, I do believe, that to prosper, some need a lot of help. And you provide that help in your charity. Once again, it's joanath.org but the point I want to make is that it was a perfect melding, that you and your style and your accomplishments fit right in with what America is, opportunity. So you're a poor kid, four boys, father's a steel merchant. Right. Blue collar guy.

[Joe Namath]

My daughter, too.

[Bill O'Reilly]

Right, right. No uncle in the business. No Nepo kid. And you rise to the top. And you're Joe Namath, a legend.

[Joe Namath]

It all starts at home, you know.

[Bill O'Reilly]

And I just think it's a fabulous American story.

[Joe Namath]

Oh, I, I, I'm lucky. I mean, I do, I, I like to say I enjoyed every bit of it, but, you know, there were down days, too, injuries and losses, and you throw five interceptions and lose the game, you know, and then you have to.

[Bill O'Reilly]

Get yelled at by Bear Bryant and.

[Joe Namath]

Jared Philbin, by the way, our defensive, hey, Namath, we're wearing green this week, you know, after five interceptions. But Coach Bryant, you see, I was so lucky with my coaches, right? My high school coach, a gentleman, Larry Bruno, who did my induction at the hall of Fame. I, I called We View bank whenever I was told it was elected to the hall of Fame. And I said, you know, Coach, I love you, I appreciate you, and I have to get someone to. I'm asking someone to introduce me to the hall of Fame. And, you know, I was wondering, Coach Larry Bruno, he cut me off. He said, joe, you get Larry. You get Larry. He said, oh, shucks, I'm on him. Hall of Fame. He says, you get Larry. He's the guy that started it, you know. And so I did. I got my high school.

[Bill O'Reilly]

You were lucky to have the guys around you.

[Joe Namath]

Oh, yes, yes, yes.

[Bill O'Reilly]

But you were the leader of the gang.

[Joe Namath]

Well, it's part of the job, you know. That's right. You know, you're supposed to know the game, the offense better than anybody else, and you're supposed to know what to do in any given circumstance. You got to know the time, the.

[Bill O'Reilly]

Support, they, they say, Joe Namath, playboy, Joe Mammoth, this. But they didn't know how seriously you took it. You were, you were out there and if somebody made a mistake, you would let them know it.

[Joe Namath]

You know, you mentioned again Coach Bryant at Alabama, right.

[Bill O'Reilly]

He was a piece of work.

[Joe Namath]

Oh, after the first game we played, Bill played Georgia and we beat him pretty good. It was in Birmingham. And we go into the dressing room and these, they finally let the newspaper guys come in. And they come in, they get around me, they about four or five of them. And next thing I see coach, Coach Bryant grabbing him. Get away from that popcorn, kid. Go talk to the guys that did the winning. And I started to say something and Leroy Jordan put his hand right on my shoulder, pulled me back. He said, you don't know him well enough yet. And you know, I, I was upset. He really took me down, man. And it was, it was right at the time. Sure.

[Bill O'Reilly]

Last question for you. Do the younger players today, do they seek your advice sometimes that I talk to you about what you accomplished and how you got there?

[Joe Namath]

No. No, I don't think I know a young player today.

[Bill O'Reilly]

All right.

[Joe Namath]

Yeah. No, they work at it year round now. And this.

[Bill O'Reilly]

They're in their own little world.

[Joe Namath]

They're supposed to be very good. And they are. Physically. One thing you can't tell about is, unless you get to know them is the thought process, the brain.

[Bill O'Reilly]

Okay. So the younger people are self absorbed. They're in their own world and they're obviously a, in a very competitive industry. You get together, you. Joe Namath has a, a couple of golf tournaments to raise money for his charities. Again, Joe Namath.org you get together with the older guys. Because I met them all. Because I go to your outings. And what do you guys talk about? I mean, what's the main thing that they look back upon in this whole thing?

[Joe Namath]

Well, we don't look back upon things a whole lot. You know, it's a given. You know, we've seen each other, we shared it with other. And it's more about what's happening today with the families, you know, and, and kids and all. So. No, it's. We, I think we all marvel at how the games changed.

[Bill O'Reilly]

Yep.

[Joe Namath]

How the athletes are, you know, they're really much better these days. And I enjoy watching the game all the time, man.

[Bill O'Reilly]

You sit there and you watch it.

[Joe Namath]

And you go, I watch it whenever I really want to get involved. I watch Alabama play. I watch good college teams play. I'll watch part of A pro game and maybe the whole thing, but sitting down for three hours is hard for me.

[Bill O'Reilly]

Anything you do differently now, in your wisdom, you know, obviously, most of us get smarter as we get older.

[Joe Namath]

Not everybody, but most of us.

[Bill O'Reilly]

Anything you do differently, you know, over.

[Joe Namath]

The years, I've changed. I've always. I say I've always taken care of myself. I used to be a. A drinker and all, you know, but 30, 40 years ago, I stopped the drinking. And it's. It. I attribute that to my survival at this point.

[Bill O'Reilly]

Right.

[Joe Namath]

You know, because had I continued to drink, I would have really ruined my family and myself at the same time.

[Bill O'Reilly]

But you conquered it.

[Joe Namath]

Yeah. Yeah. I knew it was wrong. I knew, and I wanted to see if I could, too, live without it, because it started to take over my life. And, I mean, in the morning, going to an airport, you go to the bar first, or whatever just became a part of my.

[Bill O'Reilly]

You know what I told my son?

[Joe Namath]

Huh?

[Bill O'Reilly]

He's 22. And I said, you know, I don't drink. He could not. I've never drink. Never drank, ever. No drugs, no pot, nothing. That's why I'm so boring. And I told my son, I said, look, I'm not going to tell you not to drink or I'm not going to tell you not to smoke pot. I'm not going to do that. You're old enough. You're an adult now. But I've saved $5 million not drinking. $5 million.

[Joe Namath]

Okay.

[Bill O'Reilly]

And he just. His head snapped back. I said, I never bought any booze ever, anywhere.

[Joe Namath]

Okay.

[Bill O'Reilly]

You know, which money I saved not doing it. And that clicked right into him.

[Joe Namath]

Okay. That's good.

[Bill O'Reilly]

So, yeah. Is that bad? That's a good way to. You know, rather than. But anyway, I admire you very much. You know that, and I value our friendship. I think you're a very smart, astute guy. I don't think you put a curse on the jets, because I know you want them to do well.

[Joe Namath]

Absolutely.

[Bill O'Reilly]

I think you and I may have to buy the franchise now. Turn it around.

[Joe Namath]

Let's not go there.

[Bill O'Reilly]

So, thank you for helping us, and we will continue to help the Joe Namath charities@joe namath.org and we hope you look in on Joe and enjoy the Super Bowl.

[Joe Namath]

Well, thank you, Bill. It's a treat being with you, man.