Catching Up With Joe Namath

Nov. 26, 2007 — -- Growing up in Queens, N.Y., Chris Cuomo dreamed of playing football with legendary New York Jets quarterback Joe Namath.

The year before Cuomo was born, Namath lead the Jets to an epic victory against the Baltimore Colts in Superbowl III. As he held up his index finger signaling that 1969 win, Namath became an icon. Though he played with a broken knee his entire career, he was truly one of football's greats.

Like so many children around the country, Cuomo grew up watching Namath, wishing he could be like him. Namath was the original Joe Cool.

"I drank Ovaltine, burned my face with my dad's Brut aftershave, made it worse with Noxzema, and even paid attention to a pantyhose commercial, all because of Joe," Cuomo said, referring to products that the quarterback endorsed.

Recently, Cuomo got to play catch with his childhood hero.

Joe Cool

Namath's appeal extends beyond the football field to a sense of cool that he seems born with.

In a high school baseball team photo, Namath can be seen posing with his sunglasses on.

"I think we all wanna stand out … I never forgot a coach telling me to get my hair cut. And I said, 'Coach, my girl wants it long.' And that was the truth. Now, what's the big deal?" Namath recalled.

His endorsement could make any product instantly desirable, and in commercials even Snoopy wanted to be like him.

"Did you know that when you put on those pantyhose, you kind of created an American moment?" Cuomo asked.

"No, no. In fact, it took a couple of weeks to decide to do it. And when I saw it, I didn't look at it for 20 years," Namath said.

Man About Town

Namath was more than an athlete: He was part Hollywood, part rock star, with the fur coats and flashy outfits to match. His partying was legendary, earning him the nickname Broadway Joe, the envy of even the biggest stars.

Cuomo talked to Namath about what it must have been like to have that superstar status.

"You go to a concert, and Elvis [Presley] says, 'My hero is in the audience tonight.' Elvis says, 'My hero, Joe Namath.' You're out drinking. You spill drinks by mistake on Frank Sinatra, who says, 'It's OK, Joe,'" he said.

Namath jokingly blames the Shea Stadium practice schedule for his reputation. "We didn't have to show up at the stadium until noon."

When Namath left the gridiron he proved he could be Broadway Joe for real, singing, dancing and making it to the Great White Way. One of his most famous appearances was a guest-star spot on the television comedy "The Brady Bunch."

Team Player

Growing up in Beaver Falls, Pa., in the 1950s -- a time of deep racial tension -- Namath thought only about the sports he loved. "I played baseball, basketball and football. And that was basically my world," he said.

Until college, Namath spent most of his time with his best friend, Linwood Alfrod, who was black. Namath was shocked the first time he encountered racism, walking into a pizza parlor with Alfrod and hearing a woman use the n-word word. As he retells it, the two were so stunned they just ran out.

During his senior year, the University of Alabama integrated. Namath recalled being surrounded by disapproving faces as he stood registering for classes next to Viviene Malone, the first black student. "You didn't get why it was a big deal that she wouldn't be allowed in there in the first place," he said.

At the end of the interview, Cuomo handed Namath the ball. "I know I can throw, but can he catch?" Namath joked.

Luckily, Cuomo caught it. "I've been waiting my whole life for this. ... I don't want to take my hands off the ball."